All language subtitles for Wok.of.Love E04

I downed a bowl of cooking oil

for the first time when I was 15.

1997 CHINA, SACHEONGWAN

You drank an entire bowl? Are you crazy?

We ran out of rice
when we lived in Yanbian,

so we starved for four days.

You know that famous restaurant
called Yellow Sea?

I walked past it and smelled it.

The sweet, crisp, and salty

smell of oil.

What? The smell of oil is salty?

Smell it. It's so salty and tasty.

That's when I first realized

that I didn't want to eat rice,

but the yellow, splashing oil.

So I asked the Yellow Sea
to let me work there.

I begged them to let me drink
a bowl of cooking oil,

and chugged it right there.

You didn't get sick after drinking oil
on an empty stomach?

Don't get me started.

I chugged three bowls on the spot,

and I felt it right away.

I went to the bathroom
and had crazy diarrhea.

It felt so good.

I let out everything
I kept inside for 15 years.

Call me "Sweetie."

May I really do that?

No matter how lonely you are,
don't drink cooking oil.

Why not?

Your sweetie

will be your cooking oil.

Sweetie.

It's sweet. Is it because of the oil?

Say "Sweetie" again.

Sweetie.

1999 SEOUL GUKDO CINEMA

Sneeze!

She's my girl.

Shut up.

She's my dream girl.

Don't even dream of it.

Is it good only for me?

Stop talking and continue
what you were doing.

Let's not save it.

HIRING COOKS

Are you hiring?

Here. You don't have to bring
a wedding gift,

so all of you, come to my wedding tomorrow

and enjoy a good meal.

You'd better come!

Isn't that the bride

who said she'd kill us
if we didn't go to her wedding?

Are you here to kill us all
because you're pissed off

that we didn't go?

Are you hiring kitchen workers?
Wait staff?

I'm hiring both.

Where do you think you're going?

Boss told you to leave.

We're not hiring. Get going.

You made our boss bleed that night.

Count your lucky stars. Now scram.

Why are you asking?

What?

You want to work here?

Do you want to work here?

I need 12 million won a month

to pay my rent.

I need spending money too,
so even if I'm super frugal,

I'll need at least 15 million won a month.

If I ask for 15 million won a month,

I'd be a whack job, right?

No.

you're not a whack job. You're a lunatic.

Or maybe you ate something bad,

and there are a dozen roundworms
hanging out in your brain.

-Oh my gosh.
-Shut up.

Oh my gosh. Why...

I know. I'm sorry.

Anyway,

what did it say?

-What?
-I'm curious.

About what?

Never mind.

Boss.

Who owns the restaurant? You, right?

So how could all of us get fired?

That's pure nonsense.

Come on.

Stop beating this.

Shouldn't we beat the crap out of Pung?

-You.
-Yes.

Put our restaurant up for sale.

Let's sell it.

Yes, that's good. That's better.

Let's make sure Pung can't run it.
Just sell it.

That's so sweet. Yes, sell it.

Let's make sure
Pung can't get his revenge.

It's his problem
that he got kicked out of the hotel.

Who is he to fire us and crap?

You guys weren't in the right either.

We did nothing wrong, Boss.

Other than dislocating a shoulder
like a chump,

we did nothing wrong.

Hey.

A cook should compete with his cooking
in the kitchen,

not with a circus act.

You survived not because
you pulled noodles well,

but because you dislocated your shoulder.

That's a circus act, not skills!

Are you all jealous
because I'm the only one

that Pung accepted?

-Hey.
-Are you jealous?

Boss.

Boss. All we did wrong was work hard.

You.

What will you do now?
What will you do until you die?

That's your homework. Got it?

HUNGRY FRYPAN
CHINESE RESTAURANT

Shit.

Hey.

Hi. Of all the...

Did you get the surgery?

Soon.

Just so you know,

we maintain the confidentiality
of the identity of the borrower

reason for taking out the loan,
and things like that.

Thank you.

What is the interest rate?

Did you call your husband?

What happens if I can't pay back the loan?

Will you sell me?

Where?

To a bar or somewhere?

No one would buy you.

Why not?

You have roundworms in your brain.

Mr. Light.

-May I get your number?
-Sure...

Don't you know the number to our office?

Forget it then.

It's locked.

Why do you want to know my number?

You can just come to the office
to pay off the debt.

Why aren't you asking me for my number?

What?

Didn't you write down your number

in the office?

I put down my home number.

That's good enough.

Then will we only talk about money
from now on?

When I'll repay it, the interest,

when to pay the capital, things like that?

How could you only talk about money?

What else do you need
between a creditor and debtor?

Especially with a married woman.

What kind of a crush ends that quickly?

Hey.

I told you I was crazy in love with you

the day before your wedding,

when you weren't a married woman.

So...

What do you want from me?

I was happy when I had a crush.

I loved by myself, and broke up by myself.

It was nice.

Doing it alone sucks. How is it nice?

How is it love if you do it alone?
Don't give me that crap.

Who was it?

Anyway, does he still not know? Does he?

Leonardo DiCaprio.

Leonardo DiCaprio...

Okay.

I understand.

Why am I talking to a woman
with roundworms in her brain?

I had the biggest crush on Julia Roberts.

Even now,

I'm totally in love with Julia Roberts.

She's married too.

So you have had a crush
on a married woman.

And you still do.

Then I'm...

going to have a crush on you.

You poked me in the side

and told me I can have a crush on you.

That's not it.

Yes, it is.

Even if I like both you and Julia Roberts,

you can't complain.

You can't get jealous. Answer me.

-What?
-I'll raise interest otherwise.

Well, it's not like you need permission
to have a crush on someone.

Okay, then I'll do it. Okay?

I'll do it.

WIFEY

PUNG

-Answer it.
-I don't have to.

Answer it.

PUNG

SPEAKER

What is it?

I'm...

going to work hard at this restaurant.

I'll fight the hotel

head-on.

Do as you wish.

Come back and eat.

Come anytime and eat.

I'm opening a clinic
on the third floor there.

I'll eat there when I'm busy.

My wifey...

Delete that name now.

We dated for way too long
since we were young,

so I thought this may happen once.

-Don't wait.
-I won't.

Thanks.

I'm not

someone you can dump

so easily.

I'll make you regret it.
I won't wait for you.

I'll live recklessly too.

Even if I die, I'll die here!

I guess the anesthesia
hasn't worn off yet.

You look prettier than usual.

You did great, Immar.

Words are cheap.

You have to live with me longer,
even if it's for just one more day,

Okay?

You shouldn't save affections,
and show them now.

My cutie.

Is that right?

You pretty thing.

Good boy.

I was able to get the surgery
thanks to you.

I'm good. Thank you.

I WAS ABLE TO GET THE SURGERY
THANKS TO YOU

I'm married. Don't have a crush on me.

Crushes aren't allowed either.

No way. Never.

Bow.

I'M MARRIED. DON'T HAVE A CRUSH ON ME.

Why isn't he writing back?

HIRING COOKS

ONE WEEK LATER

HUNGRY FRYPAN

THE PERSON BEFORE YOU
IS YOUR TRUE LOVE

Are you here to eat?

Are you hiring?

Oh yes.

Well, yes.

How much do you pay a month?

Have you ever worked in a kitchen?

When you sharpen a knife,

don't sharpen just the blade.

Sharpen the belly too.

Why?

What experience do you have?

My experience?

Keep your eyes open and watch carefully.

To the kitchen.

If you don't sharpen the belly,

the ingredients will shred.

If the ingredients shred,

so does the chef's heart.

What is he doing?

He's disciplining the knives.

Is that all?

I can do that too. That's mad easy.

What the... Isn't that cooking oil?

Master! Please stop warming up,

and show us your skills.

Master Wang!

Master Wang!

Master Wang!

It may look like he's chopping randomly,

but the length and width have to be exact.

Master Wang!

I chopped enough onions for 10 orders
of jjajangmyeon in 3 minutes.

I should be hired
even if hell freezes over.

Am I hired?

-Hey, lady.
-Yes?

Don't show off. The test begins now.

And who said to put on a show?

This is all useless.
Chopping quickly and well

is a given, isn't it?

Are you looking down on me?

I'm still shocked.

I mean... Hey.

Do you have to be that good to be a cook?

-That's ridiculous.
-Shit.

-You've reached the groom Na Oh-jik...
-and the bride Dan Sae-u.

-Please leave a message.
-No!

We'll call you when we get back.

Sweetie?

Sweetie, is that you?

I'm not Sweetie. I'm your creditor.

What are you doing?

I'm waiting for my husband.

Come to the Chinese restaurant.

-I ate.
-I'm not trying to feed you.

-Drinks?
-Am I insane?

Why would I buy you drinks?

-You're sick.
-I'm not sick.

-Forget it.
-I'm okay.

Then come right now.

I want to sleep.

Come.

I'm disappointed
because it wasn't my husband calling.

Didn't you say

you were looking for a job?

You...

You want to get me a job?

Well...

You'll pay me 15 million won a month?

You crazy woman. You're charming.

I'm not going.

Don't come then.

What is it?

Bring the contract.

Get out before I call the cops.

Call them. Go ahead.

You think that scares us?

Is your arm okay?

I didn't fire you. Why didn't you come in?

Why you little...

Please continue.

Hey.

-Get out.
-What?

Are you afraid

we'd chop off your finger
and make you sign the contract?

Why are you interfering
with my employment test?

Who are you people? Gangsters?

Thugs?

DEBT AND SHADOW
HUNGRY FRYPAN

-You said you weren't coming.
-Oh my gosh.

HIRING COOKS

Sneeze!

Sneeze!

Don't laugh.

"Sneeze."

Don't do that.

You tell me to stop after making me laugh.
"Sneeze."

I'm not sick anymore.

Don't pity me.

They got rid of the tumor

I may live longer than you.

Okay.

Come in after five minutes.

I thought you had nothing else to say.

I heard you hired a worker.

I'm in the process of it.

Show him.

Okay. You may fire them as you will,

but you can't hire people as you wish.

Hear that?

Look right here. Section three.

"Tenant will operate Hungry Frypan himself

for a year,

and will be responsible for all
labor costs and operation costs.

In exchange for Landlord
waiving the deposit requirement..."

Listen carefully.

"Tenant will follow Landlord's opinions

regarding the hiring of employees
including cooks."

Don't get confused.
You're not the landlord.

Boss is.

So?

Give my boys who were fired

another chance.

Give me a break.

They can apply and take the same test
as that lady.

Okay.

-Boss.
-Boss.

What do you mean?

We're working in our restaurant.

Why should we take a test?

Shut it.

Okay. So, what is your name?

Chae Seol-ja.

Wasn't I already half-hired
to be the knife here?

Okay.

Who wants to compete
against Chae Seol-ja? Step up.

What?

Are you guys scared?

Come now.

-Of course not.
-Come on.

-Come on.
-Come and try it.

If the wok is like the father
in the kitchen,

the knife is like the mother.
It's a very important position.

I won't work with just anyone.

Whoever survives the competition
will be our knife.

If you're scared,

I'll assume there are no applicants.

Come out.

-Goodness.
-Come out.

Mom's right here.

Okay. Maeng-dal was our knife.

Okay. Go and compete.

-Me?
-Compete.

Go.

-Okay.
-Yes!

Are you scared?

He said to go in after five minutes.

"Look up at the stars

and not down at your feet."

These are the orders.

One palbochae, one seafood jjajangmyeon,

one shrimp fried rice,
one chicken fried rice.

Grab the platters.

You have five minutes.

Which platters?

You don't even know that?

Are you taken?

Why do you have six platters
for four dishes?

The first is for scallops,
abalone, and shrimp,

which have to be lightly cooked in oil.

-For how long?
-It isn't sauteed,

but blanched in oil.

The second platter

is for sea cucumber, bok choy, broccoli,

pine mushrooms,

bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms.

The ones that need to be blanched
slightly in water.

On the third, we put the squid,

bell peppers, and napa cabbage,

which need to be sauteed and cooked first.

The remaining ingredients
are placed separately

because you put them all in together
and saute them lightly in oil.

They have to be sauteed again anyway,

so rather than taking them out,
you throw in

the previously cooked scallops,

abalone, and shrimp,
and the blanched ingredients.

Then you stir-fry them together.
That's palbochae.

Three platters were meant

for the palbochae.

Where's Maeng-dal?

The fourth platter

is for the squid, scallops, shrimp,
onions, and green onions

for the seafood jjajangmyeon.

The fifth is for the shrimp fried rice.

The sixth is for the chicken fried rice.

The garlic

is given separately to the wok.

Did I pass?

There's time left over.

There is another dish
that requires three platters.

You are so distrusting.

Palbochae, jeongabok,
and scorched rice soup.

Two platters are typically enough,

but what determines whether or not
you need a third

is this.

Bok choy.

Because it isn't stir-fried.

It must be blanched.

Will you hire me?

For seafood jjajangmyeon too,
one platter is for the seafood

and one is for the vegetables,

but if you give the wok a live shrimp,

you must use three platters.

Because the shrimp must be blanched first.

Hire me.

You pass!

Do you mean it?

Start tomorrow.

Shit.

Why does it taste so good? Shit.

I always thought it was
one platter per dish.

The knife doesn't just prep
the ingredients

and hand them to the wok,
you have to know everything.

That's why that asshole Pung said

the knife is the mom.

He receives the properly sorted platters

and cook the ingredients in the wok

in a different order,

and they melt in your mouth.

How many years do you need to cook this

to know what to do
automatically like this?

Anyway, is Maeng-dal still not out?

Is he going to live in there?

You're the best knife I've ever met.

I know a good noodles chef

that I used to work with.

We don't have a noodles chef either.

Will you suspect me if I recommend him?

Of course not.

The sooner the better.

Yes, sir.

Maeng-dal.

Hey, Maeng-dal.

Just...

freeze to death there.

Come right now and get tested.

No, don't tell him that.

The chef may get the wrong idea.

Hurry..

Can she start tomorrow?

Okay. You're the knife.

I look forward to having you here.

Who are you?

-She's back.
-Again?

Why are you back?

Because I heard you were hiring.

-Miss--
-Can you cook?

-No.
-Have you ever waitressed?

No.

Must I pay you 15 million won a month?

-No.
-Okay. You're hired.

-Boss.
-What?

I know I'm supposed to follow
the landlord's opinion on hiring workers,

but why would I hire someone
who can't cook

or wait on tables,
asked for 15 million won a month,

and admitted herself
that she's a whack job?

Why? For her looks?

I admit she's pretty.

So what? Am I supposed to cook
while looking at her face?

She likes jjajangmyeon.
That's good enough.

Who hates jjajangmyeon?

Hey. Go get Maeng-dal.

He's going to freeze to death!

What connections do you have?

You look like you can't help
this business in the slightest bit.

Why must I work with you?

Why must I run a business
with a clueless woman who asks

for 15 million won?

Why do you want her near you?

Do you like her? Is that it?

-Yes.
-Hey.

I'm good at stuff too.

I can do the dishes.

I can get people

to order expensive dishes
and bring up sales.

Make me prep the ingredients, clean,
and all sorts of stuff.

I'll do it all.

You be the CEO.

A salaried CEO. She's higher than you.

-Why?
-So don't touch her.

You can't fire her.

Exactly. Why?

Why? Even she's shocked.

Why are you doing this?

Check the contract. I can do this.

-No.
-Yes.

-No.
-Yes.

-No.
-I said I can.

-I said no.
-Yes.

-No.
-Hey.

-No.
-I can, asshole!

-You can't!
-Please stop.

Shut up.

-You can't.
-Shut up!

You can't!

This is too pathetic to watch.

Men should fight physically.

Just arguing won't resolve anything.

-I can.
-No, you can't.

-I--
-Aren't you embarrassed?

Stop yapping. Just go out there and fight.

You're the CEO starting tomorrow.

-No.
-Yes.

-No.
-Yes,, asshole!

-No!
-Yes!

Oh my gosh.

I almost had a heart attack!

I'm ignorant,
but you're even more ignorant, asshole.

Go to the lawyer's office
at the intersection.

Don't scream, go there and pay him

and ask him.

If you don't call me
when you hire the noodles chef,

you are dead!

My gosh.

Look at the time. Why are you
selling your stupid gum at this hour?

Are you reopening the restaurant?

Give me all the gum.

-How much is it?
-A million won.

Anyway,

what did it say?

Do you hate me that much?

If you were me,

would you like an employee

who becomes my CEO

thanks to her connections
with the landlord?

I hate things like that,

and I hate you too.

You disgust me.

I hate you like crazy.
I absolutely hate you.

I...

hate you.

I'll clean up the kitchen
and start tomorrow.

Move.

You shouldn't discount compassion.
One million won.

Are you guys close?

Why do you fight so much?

You'll end up getting close.

Where are you going? Where's my money?

You talked like a rich man,
saying you'll buy all the gum.

If you're pissed off,

and things don't go your way,

and you're nervous, you should chew gum.

That's what your dad did too.

What?

-Here.
-No.

Seriously.

You are so arrogant
in front of Chil-seong,

Pung, Poof, whatever your name is.

I don't want it.

It's from a woman who's dying tomorrow,
so chew it, brats.

It's because you're like my kids.

Why won't you chew it?

-Is it sweet?
-Sweet? Like hell.

It's strawberry flavor.

It's sweet, right?

Leave.

We need to fight some more.

It's sweet, right?

-It's sour.
-Keep chewing.

It'll get sweeter.

It usually starts out sweet.

Your tongue is bland, right?

She does whatever she feels like.

Hey.

Since you're chewing gum, can you snap it?

I can't do it. It won't work.

Me neither.

Nothing in life is impossible.

Look at me, okay?

Use your top and bottom molars,

like you're grinding it.

See?

You two really are close.

Don't fight. There's no time to fight.

Chew gum during that time instead.

Shit.

Where are you going?

What do they know?
They can't even snap gum.

You have a long way to go
before you know life.

My back...

Seriously.

That's enough. Let's go.

Seriously. What's wrong with you?

This isn't the time for this.

Boss said to stay here

and freeze to death.

A woman became our CEO.

Come out.

Did you fall for me?

You didn't come out on purpose.

You look like
you'd be good with the knife.

Why didn't you come out?

So that I could pass?

Is your mouth frozen shut?

Want me to thaw it out for you?

Want me to thaw it out?

We feel the same way, right?

Boss is acting weird.

She gave him her invitation
on the street. That's all.

How could he make her the CEO
of our restaurant?

Especially now, when we were all fired.

After Maeng-dal took the test
and failed again.

He betrayed us.

-No.
-No.

She's a woman.

She's married.

Boss may have the worst taste in women,

but he doesn't like married women.

But married women are good at it.

-At what?
-At what?

Cooking.

Give me a freaking break.

I like women who cook well too.

Then live with a rice cooker. Forever.

Mister lawyer. May I...

eat this?

Thank you.

Okay. Since he let you take over the store

and use it completely
without charging you,

the landlord and tenant decided

to share the profits therefrom.

Yes, that's correct.

But you, Mr. Seo Pung,

fired the gangster employees...

that were already there
without consulting him.

Then of course, he lost his trust in you,

and can't trust you to be honest

regarding the books.

Section three.

This is what you violated.

What?

Thus, Mr. Du Chil-seong

may hire a new CEO and restaurant manager

who will manage the accounts.

As much as he wants.

See?

HUNGRY FRYPAN

HUNGRY FRYPAN

Shit.

Are you hiring?

I heard you were hiring a noodles chef.

Yes. I heard from Chae Seol-ja.

Im Keok-jeong?

It's not Keok-jeong, it's Geok-jeong.
Im Geok-jeong.

But as you can see,

this is how I am. Is that okay?

Do you knead dough with your feet?

No.

That's fine then.

Is that all?

I look forward to working with you.
Start tomorrow.

Is that all?

Okay. Thank you.

I'm not insane.

I won't work with her.

I despise people who use connections too.

I won't be the CEO.

Anyway, what did it say?

Anyway, what did it say?

What does it say?

What does yours say?

I'm nervous.

I'm nervous too.

It wouldn't tell us to die, would it?

THE PERSON BEFORE YOU
IS YOUR TRUE LOVE

HUNGRY FRYPAN

Hold on tight!

Shit.

If you were me,

would you like an employee

who becomes my CEO

thanks to her connections
with the landlord?

I hate things like that,
and I hate you too.

You disgust me.

I hate you like crazy.
I absolutely hate you.

I hate you.

Let me.

Gosh.

-Your hair...
-Okay.

This way.

-Pink.
-Yes?

Hold on.

There are too many buttons.

Then lend me just 15 million won for now.

You must have that much.

That will work, right?

Do you think 15 million won
is 1.5 million won or something?

Just sell your bag instead.

I can't sell this.

Do you want to buy me instead?

I'll do everything you say. Okay?

What are you doing here?

Don't worry.

You should've told me.

You should've told me
we met here on the bridge.

Why are you yelling at me?
I'm not your employee.

Drink.

Okay, then.

Where are you going?

Let go.

Don't go.

Let go.

Do you know how far I ran here
from the restaurant?

I ran like a madman.
I didn't care if I died. I was afraid

I'd never see you again.

Who told you to run here?

Shouldn't you at least stay with me

until I finish this beer?

You have no manners.

Did you take my beer
because you have good manners?

You refused to take it off,

so I thought you really died.

Sorry for taking it off
and walking around without dying,

and showing up
and getting a job through connections.

I guess the world is less scary now?

None of your business.

Where's that talkative horse?

I thought you'd be much prettier
when you had the mask on.

What the hell?

-I thought you were much younger.
-What the hell?

My first customer.

Do you know how long I waited
to cook you good food?

I was...

strangely curious about you.

Here.

Don't waste money like this.

Why don't we go to your place?

It's good to be frugal,

but I'm in too much of a rush right now.

This place looks insanely expensive.

It's our first night after all.

I live with two of the boys from before.

You could just tell them to go out.

It's his place.
How could I tell him to leave?

Don't you own your own place?

No, I don't.

Does that matter?

Can't we talk inside?

What did you do all these years?

What?

You can't use a knife,

you have no home, car, or a job.

Is all you have that old motorcycle

and your white hair
that you can't even dye?

Shit.

That's not right.

It's too cruel to do that
after we came here.

You're very cold.

I can't sleep alone tonight.

I heard the boys told you to come out,

but you refused, saying I told you

to freeze to death in there.

Moron.

Maeng-dal.

Do you remember what Nietzsche said?

"I don't care how many times it is,

I want to relive this sickening life."

That's right.

Even if today was the most sickening day
of your life,

the sun will rise again

tomorrow.

Let's sleep.

Stop being mad.

You're the one who's mad.

Still, it's wrong to use connections.

I told you I despise that too.

What did it say?

Your fortune cookie that day.

It said just because things are hard,
don't only look at my feet,

but lift my head and look at the stars.

What about yours?

What about yours?

I don't know.

-I threw it away.
-For real?

Without reading it?

Without reading it.

Weren't you curious?

I was afraid it would come true,
so I threw it away.

Because it shouldn't.

What the heck? You acted all tough,

but you couldn't read that tiny
piece of paper, and threw it away?

And you call yourself a man?

Subtitle translation by Jeong Lee