Original subtitles

The Queen of Office

What in the world are you doing?

Oh!

There was

a shooting star in the sky,

and it has to be done very quickly, you see...

What has to be done quickly?

Oh? You see...

We were praying together.

Yes. We were praying

for the Ongjayeom deal.

What? How lame.

Ow, my back.

I was so squished in the corner that my bladder got squished, too.

Where's the bathroom?

Huh? Oh, over there.

Should I go? Should I go with you?

Go where? To the bathroom?

Why were they making a wish with such pomp and circumstance?

But that's not the issue right now.

Yes, right.

We have an important meeting in Seoul this morning.

We should be thanking you.

Thank you for being such gracious hosts.

Yes.

We'll be in touch again soon.

Yes. You, too. Take care.

Did he mention anything that President Ong said?

He didn't,

but he said the president was upset we didn't stay for breakfast.

Yeah? So have have we scored some points with him?

We didn't. Ms. Kim did.

He wanted to serve her seaweed soup for helping deliver his grandchild.

In any case, we have to finish the proposal

and create an Ongjayeom presentation, so we don't have much time.

Let's go straight to the office

and shower at a sauna nearby.

Sounds good.

What about you, Ms. Kim?

Geez!

Why do you keep driving like a maniac?

What if we get hurt? Will you be held accountable?

My driving has not led to any fatalities thus far.

Of course it shouldn't have.

Just hurry up.

Good grief! What's wrong with you, woman?

- What's that? - Huh?

I think the car's broken down.

Wow, Ms. Kim. You must have learned how to repair cars, too.

She's a certified aircraft mechanic. This should be a piece of cake.

So how long do you think this will take?

Hurry up and fix it! We're going to be late.

Hey, Kim, how much longer?

Ms. Kim, are you okay?

I've tried everything I could, but alas, as I expected,

car repair is beyond me.

What? Beyond you?

What in the world have you been doing all this time?

So you're not a certified car mechanic?

I started working on it, but never got the certification.

What? You're not certified?

Why didn't you tell us sooner?

You never asked.

I need to get to work on time,

so excuse me.

What?

Why didn't you tell us that you couldn't fix it from the start?

Stop right there, Kim!

Auto Mechanic Service

Kim!

Don't go! Please!

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.

Mr. Mu, it's coffee break time.

Thank you, Ms. Kim.

Ms. Jeong, here's your coffee.

I could have made my own, Ms. Kim.

It's my job to make morning and afternoon coffee for everyone.

Thank you, Ms. Jeomsun.

I can call you that, right?

No. Address me as "Ms. Kim."

Coffee, Mr. Ko.

Thanks, dear, Ms. Kim.

- It's just... - "Ms. Kim."

Right?

Since you know, please address me accordingly, Mr. Ko.

Okay, dear Ms. Kim.

- It's just... - "Ms. Kim."

Right?

How's the Ongjayeom proposal going?

We're currently working on sea salt market research.

We're thinking we could add a marketing strategy based on

the differences between regular and natural sea salt.

Right.

That sounds good.

While you're at it,

also look into table salt for comparison as well.

Yes, we'll split up into teams and go out to supermarkets

and traditional markets.

You can be in charge of the traditional markets, Mr. Ko.

- Me? - Yes.

You said when you first started out in sales,

you went to traditional markets to do product research.

I did.

I don't know subway routes,

but I know every nook and cranny of the local traditional markets.

Then you must also know the merchants there very well.

It would've been very hard for us to pull off this proposal without Mr. Ko here.

Fine.

Make sure you're meticulous with the market research.

Don't leave anything out.

- Yes. - Yes.

Ms. Kim,

could you go with Mr. Ko to the traditional market later this afternoon?

Yes, Mr. Mu.

Dear Ms. Kim, the market is close by,

so should we saunter over together later?

I have to shred documents from now until 2:00, and then

I have to take documents over to the annex between 2:00 and 2:30,

so could I just meet you in front of the market at 3:00?

Okay, then. See you at 3:00.

Very well, Mr. Ko.

Will you be okay in those shoes, Ms. Geum?

We'll be doing a lot of walking.

I'll be fine. I wear these all the time.

We don't have much time, so don't lag behind.

I won't, Mr. Jang.

Mr. Jang,

did anything happen when you spent the night at President Ong's?

What do you mean?

For instance,

did you all have to sleep in one room because

there were no extra rooms?

That's crazy.

I was just curious.

Let's go, Mr. Jang.

Dear Ms. Kim.

You're here already.

Mr. Ko,

we left the office together,

but you're exactly 15 minutes and 35 seconds late.

I am? I checked the time when I left.

Oh, this thing stopped again.

I've gotten it fixed so many times, but it keeps stopping.

Why don't we get going? We're pressed for time.

Wow. Your watch is really nice.

It would be great to have rice wine on a day like today.

Mr. Ko?

We must hurry if we're to survey the market and get back on time.

We need to move quickly.

Okay, dear Ms. Kim.

The data we collect here must be organized and tabulated today,

so jot everything down.

Yes, Mr. Jang.

I'm sorry.

Geum Bitna, are you okay?

Yes, I'm fine.

Oh, no!

Dear Ms. Kim, I have bad knees.

Can't I sit and rest a bit?

Very well then.

I'll see you back at the entrance of the market at 5:00.

- Okay. - Alright.

Oh, my goodness!

Is that you, Mr. Ko?

Hey...

It's been so long.

I hadn't seen you around for a few years,

so I assumed you got fired for playing hooky.

Fortunately, I've managed to stay on.

How's business?

Not going too well, I'm afraid.

No one gets their side dishes at a traditional market these days.

I'm only still here because I don't know what else to do.

Another big mart opened nearby.

Have you quit sales?

There's nothing for me to do.

Young folks these days just do everything by phone or computer.

But man,

you were so good at what you did.

When you were the sales king, flitting to and from all the markets,

you used to write up 10 contracts in a sitting

with nothing but a pen and a ruler.

Yes, back when I was the sales king.

Wait here for a second.

Do you have these in a size 6.5?

Geum Bitna,

your shoes are your weapon if you're in sales.

If you want to survive among the boys, these heels aren't the way to go.

You have bad ankles. They're too high for you.

What?

You haven't forgotten my shoe size.

What are you talking about?

It was just a lucky guess.

Let's get going. There's a lot to do.

Yes.

All parents in the world have but one hope

For their sons and daughters to be happy and well

That's what all parents want

That's what Mr. Park wants, too

Don't criticize me for being stingy

I'm still young at heart

What's that smile for? You're freaking me out.

It's nothing.

Oh, no.

Mr. Jang, I just saw Mr. Ko...

What?

Mr. Ko?

Huh?

Mr. Ko!

Mr. Ko, wake up.

- Mr. Jang. - Why are you here?

I had a little rice wine,

and I got lost trying to look for dear Ms. Kim.

I was just going to rest, but I must have dozed off.

What?

That woman...

It's not her fault. It's because I walk so slowly.

Let's get you up.

Have you lost your mind?

How can you just abandon Mr. Ko on the streets?

Abandon him?

He didn't show up on time and I had to come back to do my job.

Mr. Ko has bad knees.

You're the younger one. You should've been more considerate.

I went out to do work,

not to babysit an old man.

What?

Old man?

Listen, Kim,

Mr. Kim is our senior.

He joined Y.Jang way before I did.

And what does that have to do with me, a contract worker?

What's it got to do with you?

I'm sorry Mr. Ko. I shouldn't have sent you out to do market research.

No. I'm the one who's sorry.

How could you drink and then doze off in the street?

That's right.

You have high blood pressure. something bad could've happened.

It's been a while since I was out of the office.

It brought back old memories,

and so I was in a great mood.

I had to have some rice wine.

It was just like the good old days.

Way back then, I really enjoyed working.

Good.

You did a good job.

With this, we have a shot against Development.

- Yes. - Well then,

is the meeting with President Ong all that's left?

Yes, Mr. Hwang.

But he's coming on Friday.

That's the only day he was available.

But I have to report to the president on Friday.

Can we get him to sign right then and there?

Don't worry, Mr. Hwang.

President Ong is well disposed toward us.

We can get him to sign on Friday.

Oh, really?

Mr. Hwang, do you have any plans for lunch?

What's going on? You've never done this before.

Mr. Hwang, the Ongjayeom idea

was actually Mr. Ko's.

Oh, really? It was Mr. Ko's?

So I was hoping that Mr. Ko

could take credit for the entire proposal.

- Really? - Yes.

I discussed it with Gyujik,

and if we put the proposal under Mr. Ko's name...

Wait a minute.

You haven't told him about the dismissal notice yet?

Pardon?

Well, it's not set in stone,

so if Mr. Ko can take credit for this deal,

can't we keep him at the company?

I know how you must feel,

but all he did was come up with the idea.

We can't submit the report under his name.

Mr. Hwang,

the support team needs Mr. Ko.

He may lack technical and technological prowess,

but there's still a lot that he can do for us.

Do the other team members feel the same way?

Pardon?

Jeonghan,

this can't be about your fondness for Mr. Ko.

From the company's standpoint, there must be an objective

cost-benefit analysis of Mr. Ko's value on your team.

Mr. Hwang, everyone on my team

is certain that Mr. Ko should stay with us.

I asked you all here

because there's something I would like to ask you.

What do you think of Mr. Ko?

You can be honest. Tell him what you really think.

Mr. Ko's been at Y.Jang for 28 years.

I hold him in very high regard.

I feel the same way.

He's always warm and fun, just like my grandfather.

And he's a good singer.

What about you, Ms. Kim?

Do you agree with them?

Ms. Kim.

Mr. Hwang,

are you asking a contract worker to assess a non-contract worker?

I wouldn't call it an assessment. Just tell me what you think of him.

If you really want to know,

I can only offer my opinion on his job performance.

Okay.

Tell me what you think of his job performance.

If we're talking only about how well he does his job...

I'd have to say

Mr. Ko is a huge burden on our team.

- Burden? - Yes.

He's bad with the computer. He's not punctual.

He has even drunk alcohol and sung during work hours.

So he is an inconvenience to the team in many ways.

Okay. I got it.

Get back to work.

Yes.

What? A burden?

She really said that?

Yeah.

I didn't think she'd talk like that in front of Mr. Hwang.

Who does she think she is?

How dare a contract worker say that about our senior staff?

A burden?

Is it true Ms. Kim described Mr. Ko as a burden to Mr. Hwang?

Yes.

Wow. Isn't that a bit much?

Mr. Ko's the eldest staffer in our department after all.

But then again,

I can see why Ms. Kim would think that way.

All Mr. Ko does is sit at his desk,

read the paper, eat snacks and not get any work done,

but he gets paid four times the amount we get.

Four times?

Why aren't you eating?

Do you have no appetite?

It's not that.

I just

got a very bad feeling.

Huh?

I knew it.

Welcome.

What did you say to Mr. Hwang?

Work hours are over.

Don't you know how to show respect for your elders and seniors?

How can you talk about Mr. Ko like that?

I was asked about Mr. Ko's job performance, so I answered.

It's not like I made anything up.

What?

What does Mr. Ko actually do, anyway?

He's incompetent.

A permanent position shouldn't be a guarantee of lifetime employment.

And no worker should be paid if he doesn't do anything.

How would you describe him except as a burden?

He shouldn't get paid?

You're the one who's draining our company coffers.

Because you charge crazy rates for overtime work,

Mr. Ko's bearing the brunt of it.

Stop it!

Ms. Kim,

I'd like to have a word with you.

We have been advised by the higher ups to dismiss Mr. Ko.

That's why Mr. Hwang asked to see the team

and asked us what we thought of Mr. Ko.

I see.

Ms. Kim,

did you really mean what you said about Mr. Ko?

I mean,

how can another human being be a burden?

He may not be the quickest, and he may be a bit rusty,

but he's not an object or burden. He's a human being.

A company is a place to work together before it's a profit making venture.

And when people work together, we can help each other to ensure

that no one falls behind.

That is not something that concerns me.

You know very well what it means

to be tossed aside by your company.

I heard you were laid off in the past.

So you must know how terrifying and hurtful

it is to be laid off

after you've devoted your life

to your company.

When you know this, how can you describe Mr. Ko as a burden?

I do know

how terrifying and

hurtful it is.

But you know what, Mr. Mu?

Contract workers go through

that terrifying and hurtful ordeal

every six or even three months.

Do you know how many contract workers are left in the gutter

for the preservation of your seniors' positions?

Don't be a crybaby.

The reality is that

a broken watch is thrown out.

We can't have Mr. Ko take all the credit for the Ongjayeom deal.

You need to tell Mr. Ko.

That's your duty right now.

Hey.

What brings you here?

Hello, Mr. Ko.

I'm surprised you've come to see me this late.

I hope you weren't sleeping.

No.

I was watching TV with my kids.

Is something wrong?

Let's start with a glass of soju.

Ma'am, another glass, please.

Right then.

Thank you.

Something's wrong, right?

I'm sorry, Mr. Ko.

Why?

Did things go badly with the Ongjayeom deal?

I'm sorry, Mr. Ko.

An order came down for your dismissal.

I'm sorry, Mr. Ko. It's because I'm incompetent.

It's because I'm not good enough as the head of the team.

I'm sorry, Mr. Ko. I'm so sorry.

Don't blame yourself.

Are you okay?

Your watch. It's all wet.

It's stopped again.

The company gave it to me when I first joined.

I've kept it for 28 years,

getting it repaired whenever it stopped.

I guess it's finally time

to throw it out.

Oh, hi.

Could you polish my shoes nice and clean today?

But I've always made sure your shoes were nice and clean.

No. Make them shinier and cleaner than they've ever been.

Yes, sir. I'll make sure you can see your reflection in them.

Pardon?

Mr. Ko has to leave the company?

But why, Mr. Mu?

You see...

I don't know, either.

I don't know.

Oh, no.

Why all of a sudden?

I know, right?

Mr. Ko was going to name our baby.

We were told there would be layoffs.

But why Mr. Ko?

Mr. Ko, you're packing already?

I have a lot of knickknacks,

so I need to take my time

to make sure nothing is left behind.

What's this?

There must be a power outage.

Oh?

There was a power outage yesterday at the intersection of Dobo Bookstore.

What are you going to do?

Mingu, go to the maintenance office and find out what's going on.

Yes, sir.

Do we have a power outage?

I think the entire building has lost power, sir.

What?

Why now?

What about the Ongjayeom proposal and contract?

The proposal's done and printed,

and the contract...

Here you go.

Mr. Hwang, the contract.

Thanks, Ms. Kim.

What time is President Ong coming?

At 3:00, sir.

Even if a war breaks out today,

this proposal has to get through, so you all put 120% into this.

Yes, sir.

Juri and Gyeongwu, please help me.

Mr. Mu, we need to rehearse the presentation one last time.

Yeah?

Okay.

They say it'll take a while to get the power back on.

Then the elevators aren't working, either.

What now?

Is this the sales department where Jang what's-his-name works?

Yes!

President Ong,

I'm so sorry you had to walk all the way up.

It never seemed to end. I thought I was on my way up to heaven.

Coffee, Mr. Hwang.

My goodness.

It's you, Seukim.

Yes, President Ong.

Good grief.

This is as bitter as medicinal tonic!

Would you like tea, sir?

I'd just like instant coffee to quench my thirst.

Instant coffee?

- With powdered milk? - Instant coffee?

A company this big doesn't even have instant coffee?

We do, sir.

I'll bring you instant coffee, sir.

No!

This is why I didn't want

to deal with corporate critters from the get-go.

Please, President Ong.

Please, President Ong.

Step aside!

We want the same thing you do.

The difference is merely in the method.

I'm sure that you know how things work.

President Ong, we must mass produce,

so we have no choice but to use machines.

But we swear we won't compromise the quality of Ongjayeom.

Please trust us.

But I still can't sign with these conditions.

Then...

Redraft the contract

according to my terms.

Yes.

It's past lunchtime.

Why are you playing hooky?

This is my last day.

The company doesn't want me anymore.

You've been there a long time.

I have.

I thought I'd drop by here

and have this last meal.

Congratulations.

Thanks.

But of course you will preserve the traditions of Ongjayeom.

All the work processes will be mechanized...

Fine. I approve.

However,

my staff will oversee the work processes.

Yes, we were going to have Ongjayeom in charge of production anyway.

Then redraft the contract right now.

Yes, but President Ong,

as you can see, there's a power outage.

We can't use our computers,

so if you could wait a bit...

Do you need a computer to draft a contract?

Yes, sir, we do...

Good grief.

Are you all imbeciles?

You can't even draft a contract without a computer?

Why can't you handwrite it?

Here it is, President Ong.

My goodness, Seukim.

Do you

call this writing?

This isn't a contract. It's a child's doodling.

Even a dog could write better.

I'm sorry, President Ong.

I have yet to acquire a calligraphy certification.

They say one's handwriting is a mirror of one's virtues.

How can I sign a contract like this?

I'll give it a go, sir.

Where's Mr. Ko?

I don't know where he went.

Mr. Ko, you have to come with me right now.

What's going on, dear Ms. Kim?

I'm sorry, Mr. Ko.

You must come with me this instant.

What's wrong?

Right now!

Slow down. What's the matter?

Mr. Ko,

I'm sorry.

Dear Ms. Kim!

I can't go on. I'm going to pass out.

What on earth is going on?

The company needs your right hand, Mr. Ko.

Given your bad knees,

you won't be able to walk up to the 14th floor.

Hold on tight, sir.

My goodness.

What are you doing?

What's going on?

Please, dear Ms. Kim. I'm scared.

Is this because I always say "dear" in front of your name?

President Ong.

Sir.

Everything's in place. It's perfect.

And the script is...

It's the Seongjo script, sir.

What is your name?

Ko Jeongdo, sir.

President Ong,

Mr. Ko is the one who first proposed the commercialization of Ongjayeom.

Oh, really?

The Ongjayeom proposal

was accepted!

Alright!

Mr. Ko.

- Mr. Ko. - Mr. Ko.

Yeah.

What times is it?

You have to go to the president's office, sir.

I'll get going then.

Take care.

Mr. Ko!

Here.

You forgot your watch.

No.

It isn't working anymore.

I think it should stay here.

But you've had it for 28 years. You must take it with you.

No.

I should've thrown out this broken watch long ago.

I've had it for too long.

I'll go

upstairs to report to the president then.

Alright.

Mr. Hwang.

Do we really have to let Mr. Ko leave like this?

Why? Why, Mr. Hwang?

Mr. Mu.

This is how things work in a business.

How things work?

What does that mean?

Does a business just lay off someone

who's dedicated 28 years of his life to the company?

Is that how things work in a business, Mr. Hwang?

No. This isn't right. I can't let Mr. Ko go like this.

What's the matter with you?

No, Mr. Hwang.

I can't do it, sir.

Mr. Mu,

I'm fine.

The truth is,

it's been years since I've become useless around here.

I'm grateful I was given the chance to do something useful before I left.

I'm very happy

I managed to come through for the company

on my very last day, Mr. Mu.

You and the staff have all had it tough because of me.

Thank you for keeping a broken watch ticking this long.

Get back to work.

I'm going now.

Oh, right.

Mr. Gu Yeongsik,

I know you do impersonations of me. You'd better watch it,

or you'll end up just like me.

Kang Jangdeok,

I like you because you're always so quiet.

Thank you, Mr. Hwang. I mean,

Gapdeuk.

Ko Jeongdo!

Ko Jeongdo!

Ko...

Jeongdo,

you take this upstairs.

You go and

report to the president.

But my legs are like jelly.

I can't go alone.

Then I'll come with you, Mr. Ko.

Okay.

We'll be back.

What did the president say?

What would he have said other than "Go for it"?

What was the president like? Word has it he's very intimidating.

He wasn't so different from you and me.

He was reading the paper when we walked in.

In any case, let's drink away tonight.

Jeongdo,

you can't pass out halfway through.

I won't.

Say...

You go ahead.

I'll catch up with you. I'm calling my family.

Yes, Mr. Ko.

Don't take too long.

Dear Ms. Kim.

Yes, Mr. Ko?

Why did you help me today?

Why did you, a cutting edge watch,

help a broken one like me?

I never helped you, sir.

I only did my job to get the deal signed.

Dear Ms. Kim,

I only plan to keep this watch

until my youngest daughter graduates from college.

And then I'll take it off myself.

You can do as you please, Mr. Ko.

It's not something that concerns me.

You can't go at it all alone.

A watch isn't made of a single part.

You need the hour hand, the minute hand,

and many cogs and wheels that all work together.

When we all work together,

even an antiquated watch like me can keep ticking.

But you try

to do the work of the hour hand, the minute hand and everything else.

That must be

so lonely for you.

It won't be long before my watch stops ticking,

but your watch has to keep ticking for a very long time.

What are

you getting at, Mr. Ko?

What I'm saying is,

eat with us, dear Ms. Kim.

Eat with us.

Dinner after work hours is not included in my job duties.

[DH Bank]