Original subtitles

The Queen of Office

Um, sorry.

You have a call.

Hello?

Yes, Mr. Hwang.

Yes? Right now?

Yes, sir. Of course.

Hey, Kim!

Text me! Wait.

You don't know my number.

No!

I'm Jang Gyujik!

Welcome.

Transfer.

Transfer.

Ms. Kim.

It's been 16 years since the Asian financial crisis.

Korea now has 8 million contract workers.

South Koreans' foremost dream is no longer national reunification.

It's getting a permanent position.

While everyone else yearns for a permanent position,

there is someone who has consciously opted to be a contract worker.

Ms. Kim is Korea's first ever contract worker by choice.

Ms. Kim never works for free.

She doesn't forge cumbersome interpersonal ties.

After her three month contract period, she always leaves Korea.

But no one knows how she's come to call herself "Ms. Kim"

and chosen to be a serial contract worker.

They're seeing each other?

Yeah. Ms. Hwang Mina of Development and Mr. An Taesu of Finance

were caught kissing at the subway station after an office dinner.

I don't get why anyone would date someone at work. It's such a headache.

There are so many men outside the office.

I know.

Why take such a risk when half the world is made up of women?

Because that's how love works.

What's the big deal? If a woman is pretty, you go for her.

Of course. If the man were rich,

I could even handle overseas romance, not just workplace romance.

Oh, come on.

What if the guy is old?

I'd be fine with that.

Ms. Kim, are you seeing anyone?

You need to find someone and settle down soon.

I bet all your friends are married.

I don't take personal questions.

Maybe she's already married.

Now that I think about it, you never said you were single.

Are you married, Ms. Kim?

Whether I'm married or carried is not work related.

And I

am not interested in

the unfair mating between money grubbing females

and lustful males.

Money grubbing females?

She meant me, right? Right?

Lustful males? She meant me, right?

That wasn't called for.

Right, Mr. Jang?

Huh?

Yeah.

I suppose.

Mr. Jang, shouldn't you do something about this?

The time is right. Do the flick.

Flick her forehead.

Flick her forehead?

Yes. Flick her forehead right now.

First thing in the morning? I'll do it later.

Come on, Mr. Jang. What's the matter with you?

What are you talking about?

Yeah.

You've been acting weird.

It's like something happened between you and Ms. Kim last night.

Everybody ready for the flick?

Yes!

Is that what you want now?

Yes!

- Right now? - Right now!

Okay.

Hey, Kim.

Go ahead, sir.

The flick.

I'll do it to you now.

As you wish.

You're the man.

Are you done?

Yeah.

In that case,

may I get back to what I was doing?

That would be a good idea.

What was that, Mr. Jang?

I flicked her, so zip it!

Get back to work!

Good morning.

Ms. Geum, what time is it?

It's 9:30.

I'm sorry.

I was caught in traffic.

Thank you.

I didn't know there were still places like this around.

Menu, please.

You've got pizazz, sir.

It's not bad at all for a place we just chanced upon.

Gyujik,

go ahead if you have something to say to Ms. Kim.

No way. Ms. Kim was here?

I guess there are only so many eateries around the office.

You don't need to hide it from me, Gyujik.

Huh? What do you mean?

I'm sorry,

but actually, I saw it.

Saw what?

Last night in the park, I saw you kissing Ms. Kim.

She's leaving.

Hey, Kim.

What a coincidence.

Indeed.

Did you come to have lunch?

Couldn't be dinner, could it?

Hey, look...

I kept...

I kept meaning to call,

but I don't have your number.

You can say what you need to right now.

About what happened yesterday...

Are you

upset or something?

I'm not particularly upset.

Oh, really? Wait!

Then, after work...

How about coffee?

No.

Coffee after work is not stipulated in my contract.

She didn't seem angry, right?

No, she didn't.

She won't sue me for sexual harassment or something, will she?

Gyujik,

isn't it more important for you to explain to her why you kissed her?

I don't know myself. It's driving me crazy.

Something took hold of me, and when I came back to my sense, I was doing it.

She's so not my style.

You know the type of women I go for.

The lithe, frail looking women who know how to make a man feel like a real man.

And most importantly long, straight hair.

Without long, straight hair, she's not a woman to me.

I know.

So why would I fall for a forklift operating, Han River diving,

manlike woman like her?

And that hairnet thing is totally not my style.

I'll just have to let it go like a drunken mishap.

Jang Gyujik,

does the incident last night mean so little to you?

I wouldn't go that far, but...

Mu Jeonghan,

are you angry at me? But why?

No. It's nothing.

I'm not angry.

My coffee has gotten cold.

Alright.

Tomorrow's 3:00 meeting is for that Russian deal, right?

Will you be interpreting again?

Yes, Mr. Hwang.

Good.

The word is that Sarashiva's also talking to Chasung.

We have to get her to sign with us.

Yes, sir. We'll make sure that happens.

Mr. Hwang,

could we have Ms. Kim assist us at the meeting?

Ms. Kim?

Sure. Go ahead.

We're drafting the offer as soon as the estimates are confirmed,

so make sure all the papers and seals are in order for tomorrow.

Yes, sir.

Don't you need an interpreter?

I'll do the interpretation.

I have a Russian language license.

TORFL.

I see.

All you have to sit there,

since I'll be taking care of everything.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Mu?

Yes?

What are you doing?

This window needs to be cleaned.

Why are you sweating so much?

What's wrong with me?

Hang on.

See? The blood is almost black.

What did you have for lunch? You have bad indigestion.

I just had rice and soup.

You must have been really stressed when you ate.

Yes.

A bit.

Oh, right. You shouldn't expose yourself to the cold.

You came to work on your bike, right?

Yes.

Mr. Mu,

isn't it tiring to get to and from work on your bike every day?

Wouldn't taking the bus or subway be less tiring?

I tried that,

but I've never had success with the subway.

Pardon?

During rush hour,

you have to push people to get on the subway.

That's a little difficult for me.

Juri, thank you. I feel all better now.

Really?

I'm sorry about the karaoke thing.

This was the first office dinner payment I've had to bill on Ms. Kim's behalf.

By any chance,

does she have a Russian language certification?

I'm not sure. Hang on.

Let's see.

Oh, no.

She doesn't. I'm so sorry.

- She doesn't? - No.

That's good. That's very good.

What's her phone number?

Disclosing her personal information violates the terms of the contract.

What's going on?

Why do you want her number?

Just in case she's absent or late.

For emergency contact purposes.

That won't ever happen.

I've worked with her for five years, and she's always shown up on time.

Always?

How old is she, anyway?

Oh, man. My helmet.

Have a good evening.

Huh?

Jeonghan,

weren't you going home?

I forgot my helmet.

You're still here.

Yeah. I'm preparing for the meeting tomorrow.

It's been a while since I've used Russian.

Are you sure it's not to impress Ms. Kim?

Huh?

No way. Of course not.

Gyujik,

if you really have sincere feelings for her,

I'd like to help you.

It's the first time you seem serious since dating Bitna back in college.

No, it's nothing like that.

I'm just bothered because something confusing happened.

You look really cool when you speak Russian.

Impress Ms. Kim at the meeting tomorrow.

Just like in college, you'll have my full backing.

I swear this isn't anything like that.

But I do look pretty cool when I speak Russian, right?

Stop pushing, please.

Good morning, Mr. Hwang.

Ms. Kim, where are you going?

I'm going to the marketing support team with the new product design.

Ms. Jang Juhui, are you just getting here?

I'm sorry, sir. I couldn't get off the bus.

And look at you.

Who wears sneakers to work?

You have to observe the basics.

Young people these days say it's so hard to find jobs,

but if they were better about these things, they wouldn't be jobless.

All you have to do is wake up 10 minutes earlier.

Thank you.

Mr. Hwang, good morning.

Ms. Geum Bitna, you're a bit late.

I'm so sorry I'm late.

My dad's going on a business trip, so I had to drop him off at the airport.

Oh, really?

Your father is doing well, right?

Of course.

He sends his regards.

What? The daughter of the president of DH Bank?

That bank at the four way intersection?

Yup. DH, Korea's largest bank and the bank where our pay is deposited.

I thought you two were friends. You didn't know?

I had no idea. Bitna's not the showy type.

Give me a break You just don't pick up on things, do you?

Can you imagine her in her outfit coming to work on a jam packed subway every morning?

No, siree.

She has a chauffeur who drops her off and picks her up.

How else can she pull off wearing what she wears?

Yes, indeed.

This is from two years ago.

This will do though.

Okay.

The handouts are ready.

Okay.

All you have to do is hand those out and sit in the back.

Yes, sir.

Are we all set?

Yes, Mr. Hwang.

You have the invoice and the contract, right?

Yes.

Ms. Geum, Ms. Geum, Ms. Geum.

- Are you okay? - Are you okay?

Bitna, are you okay?

It's Ms. Jang Juhui again?

How can you be so clumsy?

I'm sorry, sir.

Hurry up and make sure the contract is in order.

Yes. We're on it.

I'll do it.

I'd like you to be in charge of the supply cabinet key.

Mr. Hwang hates it when it's left open, and people take whatever they want.

Of course.

And could you bring us tea in the conference room?

Yes.

And one more thing...

You must have been upset earlier.

Pardon?

Mr. Hwang called you ms. Jang Juhui.

Oh, no. I don't mind.

It's not easy keeping track of everyone's names.

Plus, I'm just a contract worker.

Let me apologize on his behalf. I'm sorry, Juri.

Okay.

Discount!!

Name: Sarashiva (Russian retailer CEO) Nationality: Russian Nicknames: She-Devil, Biatch

We can't go any lower, especially considering inflation...

We're not Usain Bolt. How are we to keep up with Korea's inflation?

Plus, the products will be sold in Russia, not here!

What's she saying?

Does she keep insisting on a lower price?

Yes.

It looks like this may take a while.

Let's take a break.

Juri, can I have the supply cabinet key? I'm out of Post-It notes.

- Here you go. - Thank you.

Juri, could we have more tea in the conference room?

Yes.

Fine. We will make an exception and give you a discounted rate...

5%!! We need at least a 5% discount.

Then exporting our products won't be worth our while.

Oh, really?

Too bad then.

We have no choice but to take Chasung's 7% discount offer...

Hold the tea.

This will be over in one minute.

Don't be like this. Please reconsider...

Reconsider? Reconsider? Reconsider?

Sarashiva!

Sarashiva!

You are signing this, right?

Yes, I am.

What happened? What's going on?

What's happening?

What did she say?

She

said she'd sign the deal as per our original terms.

Really?

Ms. Kim,

Russian wasn't listed on your resume.

I left it out because I ran out of space.

It's 6:00. May I be excused, Mr. Mu?

Of course.

Ms. Kim's really amazing.

She even speaks Russian on top of everything else.

I know. She must be a very hard working type.

I want to learn Russian, too.

They say our Russian exports will grow even more next year.

You seem very interested in what's going on at the company.

But of course. I might end up working here for the rest of my life.

Yeah?

I'm quitting when I get married.

Why? What a waste of a coveted job.

I just don't think working at an office is my thing.

It's not your thing?

Say, Juri, why do you wear sneakers to work?

You'd look a lot prettier in heels.

Heels aren't comfortable for subway rides.

Don't subways have seats? You can sit, right?

There are seats, but they're always occupied during rush hour.

Have you never been on the subway?

No. Never.

Really? Why not?

I don't know.

I've never really had to.

What is it that she can't do?

What was she thinking? What if something had gone awry?

But since we don't have her number, I can't even call and ask.

Wait a minute. Why don't we have her number?

Does she think she's a celebrity?

Gyujik, why don't we go and see Ms. Kim?

Forget about it. Why would I? Why?

I don't want to get slapped again.

Forget about it. It's not like I'm that interested in her, anyway.

Chivas Regal 17, please.

We don't have that, sir. Sorry.

How can a bar not serve whiskey?

Do you think he's Korean?

What should we eat?

So you see,

I've come because...

So you see...

The reason I'm here...

So?

You didn't get to say anything to her?

No.

She's just so different from how she is at work.

She's a completely different woman.

So you really didn't get a single word in?

No, I did say something.

So you see...

You see...

I've come to

give you my business card.

You don't have my card, right?

Gyujik,

your sales instinct is something else.

I know.

Why in the world was I giving her a sales pitch?

Is it the Cabbage Patch Head's card?

Yes.

What's going on?

This is the first time your colleagues ever came here.

Who was the guy next to him? His friend?

They're polar opposites.

Yup, polar opposites.

One's a little kid, and the other's just like a meek little lamb.

Yeah?

I think Cabbage Patch Head is more into you than Mr. Meek is.

Why don't you go for him? He was cute.

In any case,

if they ever come again, tell them I'm not here.

Also,

you think Cabbage Patch Head is cute? Give me a break.

Hello?

What?

Hey, who are you to spew profanities at me first thing in the morning?

Sarashiva?

Darn it.

What's going on?

The first signing was supposed to be at 3:00.

Something came up at her office, so she has to take the morning flight.

What time is she getting here?

We said we'd have everything ready by 9:00.

She always does whatever she wants.

The papers are in order, right?

Gyujik, where's the invoice?

What are you talking about?

The invoice was with the rest of the documents.

It's not here.

Geum Bitna had it before the meeting and she placed it in this pile, right?

That's right. Bitna had it...

Hurry up and make sure the contract is in order.

I'd like you to be in charge of the supply cabinet key.

When she tripped, it must have gotten mixed up with the other papers

and ended up in the supply cabinet.

What?

Where's the key to the supply cabinet?

Don't worry.

The key's right...

Huh?

It's supposed to be here.

Huh?

Hello? Mr. Mu?

Why are you calling so early?

The key to the supply cabinet?

Bitna was the last to use it. She said she was going to put it back.

Pardon? It's not there?

Geum Bitna

What did the locksmith say?

All the locksmiths in the area are in Yeouido right now.

What for?

A 700-family apartment complex needs a new key card system installed.

No one will come here for a stupid little supply cabinet.

Nope.

700-family complex?

Hello?

- Bitna! - Ms. Geum!

The key to the supply cabinet?

Yes. I have it.

I'm on my way out.

What? The Nambu Beltway?

No. She won't get here on time. The traffic's crazy there.

Bitna, you'll have to take the subway to get here by 9:00.

The subway?

Geum Bitna, can you do it?

Sure. How hard can it be?

Please rescan the card.

Please rescan the card.

This is the exit.

Thank you.

Mr. Mu, were you able to get in touch with Bitna?

What a relief.

You did get in touch with her, but...

Yes.

So she took the subway...

What? She fainted?

Yes. It was her first subway ride.

She fainted and is now at Gangnam Station.

Juri, you said you were at Nakseongdae Station, right?

Go to Gangnam Station and bring us the key.

Customer Support Center

In my seven years here,

I've seen many people throw up,

but she's the first to pass out.

I'm sorry.

Bitna. Bitna.

Juri.

Juri.

I almost died.

Is something going on today?

So many people packed into the train all at once...

I know. I know. We can talk about that later.

Where's the key? The key.

The key?

I had it in my hand.

Where could it have gone?

Hey! It's right here.

Pardon? It's gotten tangled in her hair?

It won't come out?

No. What should I do?

I suggested cutting the key out with scissors but she won't let me.

Juri, Juri!

What's going on?

Why in the world

did you put an important document in the supply cabinet?

Who's in charge of the supply cabinet key?

You see, Mr. Hwang,

Ms. Jeong Juri said she was on her way here with it.

What?

It's Ms. Jang Juhui again?

No, sir. Ms. Jeong Juri didn't do anything wrong...

Stop making excuses. We're about to lose a major deal!

If Ms. Jang Juhui doesn't get here on time today,

she's getting the boot!

Juri, do you think you can bring Bitna here by 9:00?

Yes, Mr. Mu.

I'll stuff her in my purse if I have to.

What route has the fewest transfers possible?

From Gangnam Station to here, two transfers is the minimum.

They have to transfer at Sadang and Seoul Station.

Estimated time?

If they take the route just mentioned, it will take them around 34 minutes.

It will take longer because

they must walk here from the subway station.

They can take the 4011 bus at Sadang Station.

Since the bus uses the bus only lane,

they can get here in 28 minutes.

Where's Ms. Kim?

We don't have her number.

Alright then. Let's do this on our own.

Juri, what's this for?

Bitna,

no questions or tears allowed from this point forth.

You just hold onto this and follow me.

Understood?

Yes.

I'm scared.

Use door 6-1.

That's the closest to the transfer platform.

Excuse us.

Excuse us.

How much time do we have left?

30 minutes.

Sorry there.

Juri!

If you get on this next bus,

you can get here by 8:50.

We're on the bus.

Ms. Kim!

Bitna,

we're going to have to cut this out.

It's way too tangled.

No. Not my hair.

I won't let anyone cut my hair.

What choice do we have? It won't come out.

No.

No one's touching my hair.

Pardon?

The bus driver

has diarrhea.

Sir, please get your wits together.

You can't do this to us.

Please, sir. Couldn't you hold it just a bit longer?

I have a job interview.

Please, sir. Just the bridge. Get us over the bridge.

I'm sorry, everyone.

I've been holding it all morning.

- Sir! - Sir!

What are we going to do?

We're done for.

You'll get your hair chopped off,

and I'm getting the axe.

Who are you?

Ms. Kim, bus driver.

Back to your seats!

Move it!

- Where are you going? - What about us?

Ms. Kim, aren't you coming?

Today,

I will be late.

Try pressing it.

- It doesn't work? - No.

Give me the hammer.

The key!

The key!

It's here!

Juri!

The key!

See you again, Sarashiva.

What was that?

I bid her farewell.

Oh? Ms. Kim, are you running late?

Yes. I'm sorry, Mr. Hwang.

Why is

everyone coming to work late these days?

Geum Bitna, is working at the office a joke to you?

I'm sorry, Mr. Jang.

Just quit if this is how you're going to be.

This isn't a playground.

I'm sorry.

We almost lost a huge deal

because of you and your stupid hair!

You could have just cut the key out.

You like long hair.

Because of you, I didn't cut it.

I couldn't, since you like long hair.

This is our workplace, so stop it.

I want us to get back together.

I'm not you.

Never bring this up again here.

Are you

interested in someone else?

Why isn't she leaving?

I don't know.

Good work today.

Thank you, sir. Have a good evening.

Ms. Jang Juhui,

make sure you get to work on time from now on.

Yes, Mr. Hwang.

Mr. Hwang,

her name is not Jang Juhui. It's Jeong Juri, sir.

Oh, really?

Okay.

Mr. Mu,

I'll get going now.

I was 14 minutes, 20 seconds late this morning, so I just made that up.

I see.

Good work today, Ms. Kim.

You, too, sir.

She's so precise.

Ms. Kim,

thank you again.

When did you learn to drive a bus?

Where do you live, anyway?

We take the same bus, so you must live in Nakseongdae. Or Sillim?

Do you always wear the same hairnet, or do you change it every day?

If we live in the same area, would you like to go shopping with me?

I don't go shopping.

These clothes are all I need for the battlefield.

Ms. Jeong Juri, good job today.

Thank you!

Don't follow me.

Hey, Kim,

I heard you drove the bus this morning.

Wow. Bus driving on top of everything else that you do?

What are you getting at, sir?

About what happened in the park the other night...

What are your thoughts?

I don't think anything of it.

We kissed...

We kissed.

You're supposed to be angry, upset,

or perhaps even feel happy.

There has to be some emotional response.

You're not a stone statue.

How can you not feel anything?

I don't care to read much into

a silly little incident stemming from your childlike curiosity.

What?

Childlike curiosity?

Oh, really?

What about at the bar?

You wore something cut this low and kissed all the sleazy men there.

So is that why my kiss isn't even a real kiss to you?

This isn't worth my time.

I'll get going.

I'll buy dinner.

Ever since that kiss, I've been feeling curious about you.

I want to know how

you've come to learn how to operate a forklift and drive a bus.

I want to know why you have so many licenses.

I want to have dinner with you,

have coffee with you, and talk with you.

In three months, I'm not going to be here.

Save the socializing for non-contract workers like yourself.

We even kissed! A dinner won't kill you!

You have my business card, right?

You have my number, so call!

Hello, ma'am.

Oh, it's you, Mr. Meek.

Pardon? Mr. Meek?

Are you here to see Jeomsun?

She won't come, though.

We're not officially open for business yet, either.

I know. It's only just past 6:00.

If it's okay, I'd like to ask you a few things.

Are you Ms. Kim's mother?

Sometimes, and sometimes not.

Pardon?

What would you like to know?

Ms. Kim Jeomsun, what are you doing?

I'm sorry.

Good grief.

Are you here to work or put on a fashion show?

I'm sorry, sir. I'll talk to her.

Come with me.

But I look awful with my hair tied back.

Stop your nonsense.

Who cares how you look on the battlefield?

You'll be the death of me.

You're always getting yourself into trouble.

How will you get Mr. Won to like you if you keep this up?

How did you know

I was interested in Mr. Won?

How can anyone not know? You make it so obvious.

Really?

But I swear I look lame with my hair tied back.

It's nice and neat.

Hold still.

At a bank?

Yes.

She was there for quite a while. She had a permanent position.

I see.

But why did she quit...

She got laid off.

Laid off?

She was traumatized by that experience.

Mama, you should stop.

Jeomsun might get mad at you.

He looks nice.

You know this is all a secret, right?

Of course.

Everyone gets hurt on the battlefield.

To some,

the scar may be a love that gives them hope for the next day.

To some, it may be a happy reminder that they've survived yet another day.

Hi, mom.

Yup. Just the usual today.

And to others,

it may become the hope of never being fooled again.

Oh, right. How was the blind date last night?

But we're not there yet, miss.

I'll get off here.

I'll walk the rest of the way.

Whatever the scar is,

however deep or however serious,

we all show up again

for another day's work.

Hey, Kim.

Go ahead, sir.

You never called.

Did you lose my business card?

Yes.

Oh, really?

Then have you thought about what I said?

About your feelings regarding the incident at the park...

Yes, I did think about it.

Oh, really?

Yes.

And my conclusion is that

it was like an encounter with a fly.

- Fly? - Yes.

There's no need to get angry, upset or happy about

a little fly that happens to land on my lips for a split second.

Fly.

Fly?

Yes.

I decided it meant as little as

a fly landing on my lips for a fleeting moment.

Well, then...

Stop right there!

If I'm a fly, you're a telephone pole.

I accidentally crashed into a telephone pole!

Gyujik, Gyujik.

I don't know what I was thinking!

Gyujik.

You and your stupid fishnet hair thing!

It's time to get to work.

Who would ever fall for a wild dog like you?

Subtitles by KBS World

Do you want me to let you in on a huge secret?

You see...

This is your first payday.

What will you do with your paycheck?

But why?

How can you withdraw my entire month's pay?

Look at her. How much more money does she want to make?

She's made so much already with all the overtime work.

What is it?

Um...

Could I...

What? She's partying it up

at a place like this with my hard earned pay?

I'm getting more and more suspicious about her identity.

What kind of a life could she have led?

Wow.

I've totally gotten to the bottom of your identity.

A permanent position. This is an unprecedented offer.

I will

not accept the offer, sir.