ENA’s military comedy New Recruit 4: Sabotage continues its steady climb in viewership, while tvN’s new workplace drama The Ordinary Jackpot has officially entered the Monday-Tuesday ratings battle. According to Nielsen Korea, episode 7 of New Recruit 4: Sabotage drew an average nationwide rating of 4.6 percent on September 14, 2026. This marks a 0.2 percent increase from the previous episode’s 4.4 percent, setting a new personal best for the season.
New Recruit 4 Sabotage Maintains Perfect Ratings Streak
New Recruit 4: Sabotage has achieved a ratings increase with every episode since its premiere on August 24, 2026. The drama began with a 3.2 percent rating for its first episode, climbed to 3.6 percent by episode 4, reached 4.4 percent by episode 6, and now stands at 4.6 percent with episode 7. This consistent growth is rare in Korean cable television and shows strong word-of-mouth momentum.
The series also performs well beyond television ratings. It ranked second in Good Data Corporation’s Findex TV-OTT integrated popularity index and first among the most searched dramas on Korean portal sites. Cast members Kim Min Ho and Lee Won Jung placed fifth and sixth respectively on the list of most-talked-about actors.
The Story Behind the Military Comedy
Based on a hit animation, New Recruit is a black comedy that explores the lives of young adults serving in South Korea’s military. Season 4 follows Park Min Seok (Kim Min Ho) as he is promoted to corporal and faces a series of new challenges. A mysterious new recruit and a new battalion commander arrive, signaling a turbulent chapter for the Shinhwa Unit.
The current storyline centers on a battalion-wide leave restriction that has thrown Company 2 into chaos. An assault incident during a group overnight leave led Lieutenant Colonel Byun Hyuk Jin (Lee Hyun Gyun) to impose a full restriction on all personnel. The situation has created tension with local merchants in the military area, setting up a head-on clash. The production team has teased that the recruits will need to find a clever solution to the leave crisis.
New Recruit 4: Sabotage airs on ENA every Monday and Tuesday at 10 p.m. KST. International viewers can watch it on Viki with English and other subtitles.
The Ordinary Jackpot Premieres to Solid Numbers
tvN’s new Monday-Tuesday drama The Ordinary Jackpot premiered on September 10, 2026, earning an average nationwide rating of 3.9 percent. The premiere placed the drama in a competitive position against the established New Recruit 4: Sabotage, though the two shows target different audiences and tones.
The series is based on a popular webtoon and follows Gong Eun Tae (Lee Jun Hyuk), an ordinary sales employee at Hongseong International who wins a lottery jackpot of 1.3 billion won (approximately $950,000). The prize is not enough for him to quit his job, but it changes his entire perspective on life. Instead of leaving, he returns to work the very next day with a completely different outlook.
A Relatable Workplace Story with a Twist
The drama explores familiar office dynamics through its lottery premise. Gong Eun Tae has spent years climbing the ranks at his company, and his promotion to head of Sales Team 5 brought pressure from superiors and friction within his own team. The lottery win gives him a new sense of freedom, even as he continues to face the same workplace challenges.
Lee Jun Hyuk leads the cast as Gong Eun Tae. Known for his roles in Love Scout and The Art of Negotiation, he brings a grounded and sincere quality to the character. A review from Mashable described his performance as “an absolute treat to watch,” noting that Eun Tae is someone who has genuinely worked hard to earn his position and treats others with consideration.
Seo Hyun Woo plays Yang Joon Ho, a colleague who was passed over for the promotion that went to Eun Tae. The dynamic between the two characters adds tension to the workplace setting. Oh Dae Hwan appears as Jung Sun Hyuk, another member of Sales Team 5. The supporting cast includes Lee Hyun Kyun as Jang Kyung Chul, the deputy general manager, Ok Ja Yeon as Jin Hae Joo, the legal team leader, and Baek Yae In as Jang Hyang Eun, a new team member from the company’s China branch.
Where to Watch The Ordinary Jackpot
The Ordinary Jackpot airs on tvN every Monday and Tuesday at 6 p.m. KST. International viewers can stream the series on Viki in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Oceania, and India. It is also available on TVING in Korea, Disney+ Japan through the TVING Collection, and HBO Max in select regions.
The drama consists of 10 episodes in its first season. Episodes 3 and 4 are scheduled for release on September 17, 2026.
Two Different Dramas, One Competitive Time Slot
The Monday-Tuesday ratings race now features two very different shows. New Recruit 4: Sabotage offers military humor and ensemble comedy with a focus on camaraderie and absurd situations. The Ordinary Jackpot presents a more grounded workplace story with a touch of fantasy through its lottery premise. Both dramas target viewers in their 20s and 30s, creating a direct competition for audience attention in the same time slot.
New Recruit 4: Sabotage has the advantage of an established fanbase from its previous three seasons. The show’s steady ratings growth suggests strong viewer loyalty. The Ordinary Jackpot benefits from Lee Jun Hyuk’s popularity and a relatable premise that appeals to office workers. The coming weeks will show whether the new drama can build its audience to match its competitor’s numbers.
Related:
Final Ratings Numbers at a Glance
- New Recruit 4: Sabotage episode 7: 4.6 percent (new personal best)
- The Ordinary Jackpot episode 1: 3.9 percent (premiere)
- New Recruit 4: Sabotage airs on ENA, Mondays and Tuesdays at 10 p.m. KST
- The Ordinary Jackpot airs on tvN, Mondays and Tuesdays at 6 p.m. KST
- Both dramas are available on Viki for international viewers
Also Read: New Recruit 4 Trailer Shows Kim Min Ho, Kim Dong Jun and Lee Won Jung Facing a Tough New Commander
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