Original subtitles

The Queen of Office

Mr. Jang.

Yes, Mr. Hwang?

Terminate

Ms. Jeong's contract.

Pardon?

Seeing that the proposal made it to the final round,

the higher ups must like it.

We don't know what will come of it,

and there are only two months left on her contract.

To avoid a sticky situation,

it would best to take her out of the picture now.

Juri, what do you plan to do if you end up winning?

The cash prize is a whopping $5,000.

I won't win,

but if by some miracle I actually do,

we'll all split it.

I didn't do it alone.

Really?

So you'll give me some of the winnings, too?

Of course, Mr. Ko.

We might all get a bonus thanks to Juri.

Ms. Kim, you'll accept your share of the cash prize, too, right?

Of course.

She even helped with the market research.

I don't know how a contract worker will win an in-house contest.

But in any case, she has a better chance of winning the lottery.

You won't even accept a free lunch, so I'm not surprised.

But everyone on our team helped Juri with her proposal,

so you're entitled to your share of the cash prize.

I only did my job during work hours.

A proposal has nothing to do with contract workers, and

the cash prize hasn't even been won yet,

so please refrain from

getting your hopes up.

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.

Here.

First round results.

Here's Juri's name.

Where? Where?

Oh, wow.

"Be Good to Mama. Jeong Juri, Marketing & Sales Support Team."

Wow.

All the rest on the list have years of experience.

You're the best, Juri.

My proposal was really good, too.

I'll spend this year making improvements to it

so that my name will be on the list next year.

You're going to resubmit the blind date cafe proposal?

What? What's wrong with my idea?

Wow. It's Executive Director Park.

He looks a lot better in his photo than he does in person.

Weekend farming is great and all, but he should work out.

It's getting harder each year to let him win in dodgeball.

Ditto that.

Oh?

Mr. Hwang's into judo?

Yeah. He was in a judo league in college.

He even won in a national competition.

No wonder he has such broad shoulders.

- Jeonghan. - Yeah?

Any plans for lunch?

Mr. Ko and I have a meeting about the Ongjayeom deal.

We're grabbing lunch on our way over.

Oh...

Have you had lunch?

No.

I was hoping we could have lunch together.

Oh, really?

Is there something you want to talk to me about?

Um...

We'll talk when you get back.

Yup.

Oh? Mr. An.

Hello.

- I trust everyone's well. - Yes. Thank you.

You're looking young every time I see you.

Are you kidding me? I've been to hell and back.

So what brings you here?

Is someone from your temp agency interviewing here?

No.

Mr. Hwang asked to see me.

Mr. Hwang did?

Mr. Mu, we'll be late for the meeting.

Oh, right. We'll see you another time then.

See you.

- Enjoy your lunch. - Thanks.

Um...

Why did you ask to see me all of a sudden, sir?

Well...

It's about Ms. Jeong Juri.

Oh, I see. Ms. Jeong?

Did she do something wrong?

I don't think she's acclimating well.

Pardon? Not acclimating well?

What do you mean exactly?

This is her first job, after all.

I can sit down and talk to her.

No,

there's no need.

I'm hoping we can terminate her contract early.

Terminate her contract?

Right.

It's doable, right?

But Mr. Hwang,

her contract doesn't end for another two months.

I know, but I really want her contract terminated.

I see.

Then may I ask why?

Well...

I don't think she's a good fit here,

so please see to it that her contract is terminated quickly.

Yes, sir.

Ms. Kim, do you think our proposal will win?

How should I know?

Why not? You even have a fortune telling certification.

Don't you have even the slightest hunch?

I have a hunch that

something major is about to happen.

Something major?

Well then,

will the proposal make it big?

You seem very excited about this proposal contest.

Of course I am.

It's so amazing that an idea I came up with

might become reality.

So I guess you don't want to join that diamond company anymore.

I really didn't think things through when I applied there.

I didn't know how valuable it is

to learn the ropes like this, one step at a time.

I also didn't know I'd be working with such good people...

Good people?

Are you sure you don't mean one good person?

Pardon?

I'm just saying that I hope our proposal does well.

We'll all end up with some money,

and the win will do Mr. Mu good, too.

What was that for?

How can you fall in love with someone at work?

You are so foolish, Ms. Jeong.

I don't love anyone at work.

You have it all wrong.

Ms. Jeong,

you're blushing again.

But...

But why, all of a sudden?

As Mr. Hwang said, she's not a good fit,

and she's slow to adapt.

I see.

Mr. Jang,

did Ms. Jeong get into trouble again?

- Get into trouble? - Yes.

No. It's just that...

You know Mr. Hwang...

He must've found something unsatisfactory about Ms. Jeong.

I see.

Please take care of this for us.

Does Mr. Mu know about this?

Is Jeong Juri's contract being terminated?

How did you know?

It's Mr. Hwang's order.

She's always causing problems.

I knew she wouldn't last.

Is that really why?

What else?

Are you sure there isn't another reason?

What other reason?

I don't know.

How should I know?

But I bet you know, Mr. Cabbage Patch Head.

What reason is needed for a contract worker to be fired?

If the company says go, a contract worker has to go.

Of course.

If that's the company's order.

That's right.

I'll get going too, then.

Please refrain from using

disposable cups.

But why?

I still have two months left.

You see...

Well...

The company's also dealing with this and that,

so alas...

It's okay.

We'll find another company for you...

This and that?

Did I do something wrong again?

I don't know.

Ms. Jeong,

what have you been working on recently?

What have I been working on?

Let's see...

What could I have done wrong this time?

I'm paying for the copier I broke in installments...

I really can't think of anything.

I even got props for my proposal.

Wait a minute.

A proposal?

Yes. There's an in house contest.

I thought I'd be able to stay at least until the results were announced.

What? What are you talking about?

Her contact is being terminated?

It's Mr. Hwang's order.

We had Mr. An come over and discussed it with him.

But why?

Why, all of a sudden?

I told you, didn't I?

You shouldn't have submitted that proposal under Jeong Juri's name.

Nevertheless, how could things have come to this in just a day?

Because she's a contract worker.

- What? - A contract can be terminated

in just a day or even half a day.

That's just how things are for contract workers.

Jeonghan! Mu Jeonghan!

Termination of contract?

But why?

Who knows?

Word is that

she got in Mr. Hwang's bad books.

But there has to be a reason. This isn't fair.

Reason?

The company can come up with anything to fire a contract worker.

My friend was fired for using a vacation day.

Things aren't easy for us as they are for you, Ms. Geum.

Why are you taking it out on Ms. Geum?

I'm not.

I'm just saying things are different for us contract workers.

Be this as it may, this isn't right.

This is so unfair.

This should be reported to the Ministry of Labor and Employment.

So will you report it? Why would you?

But she's part of our work family.

Family?

But why does this family keep losing members

when you start getting attached?

We can wrap up the preliminary interview here.

We'd like to come and see you at your judo studio tomorrow.

We'd like to take pictures of you practicing judo.

Would that be okay with you?

Wow.

Of course it's okay with me.

Looks like our PR department will be hard at work even on the weekend.

We don't mind at all,

especially since everyone's looking forward to the next newsletter.

Word is out already.

- About what? - That you're Y.Jang's judo master.

We'll make sure the article turns out great.

Y.Jang's judo master?

Mr. Hwang.

Mr. Hwang.

Did you terminate Ms. Jeong's contract because of the proposal?

And what if I did?

Then we'll withdraw the proposal.

What?

This makes no sense, Mr. Hwang.

Why is Ms. Jeong being fired for coming up with a great proposal?

Mr. Mu,

are you raising your voice at me over a contract worker?

Pardon?

What exactly did you tell him?

Don't you understand Korean?

It's got nothing to do with the proposal.

I simply fired a contract worker who wasn't a good fit here.

It's nothing for you to get all worked up about.

I'm off to a meeting.

But Mr. Hwang...

Mr. Hwang!

Stop it, Jeonghan.

This isn't right.

I said stop it!

This is an office.

Where's Juri, anyway?

I don't know. She's been gone for a while.

Did I...

Did I do something wrong again, Mr. An?

This is because I did something wrong, right?

You didn't do anything wrong.

It...

It just happens every now and again.

They say the person isn't a good fit,

has a bad attitude,

or whatever else they come up with.

But we never find out

what the real reason is.

Geez.

Whenever something like this happens,

there's only one thing I can say.

I'll try my best to find you another job fast,

so chin up and be strong, Ms. Jeong.

Gyujik,

I just don't understand.

I should try talking to Mr. Hwang again.

It won't change anything.

Just stay out of this.

Then what exactly do you think you can do?

Why are you so dense?

Do you want to end up in Mr. Hwang's bad books as well?

He's not happy with you as it is over how you handled Mr. Ko's case.

Do you want to upset him again?

Why is

everything so complicated?

Gyujik,

I just want to do what's reasonable.

Ms. Jeong came up with the proposal,

so it made sense to submit it under her name, right?

Isn't that how it's supposed to be?

I don't get why it has to be so complicated.

Because that's not how it's supposed to be.

It may make sense to you,

but it doesn't apply to Jeong Juri.

That's what makes contract workers different from us,

so stop being so stubborn.

The more you try to help her, the worse it becomes for her.

Don't you get that?

Juri.

Mr. Mu.

Juri...

It's okay.

Nothing's set in stone yet.

I'll talk to Mr. Hwang again...

I'm okay, Mr. Mu.

I'm okay,

so just

please don't.

I'd rather you didn't, Mr. Mu.

Is Juri's contract really being terminated?

That's what I heard, Mr. Ko.

Is it because of me?

Is it

because I didn't

step down and leave?

Maybe.

But still,

it's not

entirely your fault.

It's not unusual for

someone's contract to be terminated.

Does that mean

you'll eventually leave us, too?

Of course.

- Juri. - Juri.

I'm sorry I was gone for so long.

Are you okay, Juri?

I...

I wanted to stay until we saw our proposal through.

I'm sorry I'm leaving...

Why are you apologizing?

I'm the one

who's sorry here.

Why you?

Ms. Kim, I...

I heard.

Goodbye, Ms. Jeong.

It's 6:00, so I'll get going.

Ms. Kim,

it looks like there's something you'd like to say to me.

About Jeong Juri...

Was it your decision, sir?

Yes, it was.

I see.

I'll get going, sir.

Take it easy, Juri.

It's okay. I don't even have to work tomorrow.

I can drink away and pass out.

Don't say that.

Gyeongwu said he'd talk to a labor attorney friend of his,

and I can talk to my dad.

He knows Mr. Hwang.

No, don't.

This is because I did something wrong,

so please don't.

Why do you always think you did something wrong?

Because that's all I can think of.

If I didn't so something wrong,

that means the company or Mr. Hwang did.

That's too scary.

If a big company

or Mr. Hwang did something wrong,

it's way too scary.

It makes me

feel better to think it was me.

Really?

Oh, no. She seemed so sweet.

But that's how Mr. Hwang is.

Was he the say way when he broke up with you?

Yup. He's a cold hearted person.

But do you know what was scarier than the fact that I got dumped?

After we broke up, we were still at the same company for about a month,

and he wasn't fazed at all.

Oh, welcome.

Geum Bitna

I'm going to try talking to Mr. Hwang again tomorrow.

That's a great idea.

If I talk to him...

Then what?

What am I supposed to do?

Is there

anything you can do?

Will you be

willing to give up your job as head of the team?

Mr. Mu,

can you do that?

You said you could protect Jeong Juri.

You can't protect someone just by being nice.

Unless you're willing to put yourself on the line,

you shouldn't say you can protect someone.

In that case,

can you...

Can you

protect Juri?

I'm not Batman.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, Mr. Jang.

How much did you two drink?

Um...

We had one bottle each.

What?

She's in that state after just a single bottle?

Well...

We had soju bombs.

What?

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, Mr. Jang.

If you know you should be sorry, missy, just be quiet and sleep.

What's up with her?

Why are you laughing?

Every time you call me "missy,"

I wanted to pull all your hair out.

What?

Juri.

You didn't know, did you,

just how much I hated you?

You have no idea how many times

I wanted to quit because I couldn't stand you.

So you've decided to lay it all out now that you're getting the boot.

No. It's just because she's drunk.

But...

Do you know what's really funny?

I got sad

when it hit me I won't be

able to see you anymore.

It's so sad that

I could cry.

This is Ms. Kim. I'm not taking your call.

Ms. Kim.

Ms. Kim,

it's me, Juri, Jeong Juri.

You're surprised, right?

I got your number from Mr. An,

because I didn't know when I'd be able to say goodbye to you.

You helped me in so many ways

that I really wanted to take you out for a drink.

I'm sure

you wouldn't have come with me, though.

Ms. Kim,

you pretend to be cold and indifferent,

but I know that you're a very good person.

I just know it.

Ms. Kim...

Was I...

Was I...

Really

asking for too much?

I don't dream of becoming a diamond anymore.

I'm not even asking for a permanent position.

All I want

is to sit at my desk and do my job.

I want to stay so that I can work with you, Mr. Ko, Mr. Gye, and Mr. Mu.

Working with all of you is all that I wanted.

Was that asking too much?

Oh, man.

I must be drunk.

I'm blabbering.

Because

I'm drunk anyway,

I'll go ahead

and sing you a song.

Seeing you

walk away into the distance...

I still remember that moment.

Saying goodbye is...

Permanent Positions for All

Am I asking too much?

I'm not asking for a permanent position.

All I'm asking for

is to be able to stay at my desk and work.

Is that asking too much?

See you later.

Huh?

Thanks, Gyujik.

I'm not here for that contract worker.

I'm here for you.

I didn't want you to get in Mr. Hwang's bad books.

That's why I'm here.

You're amazing, Mr. Hwang.

You have a hectic work schedule,

yet you make time to teach children on weekends

and beat your sparring partner without breaking a sweat.

I have to stay fit at least until my daughter gets married.

Mr. Hwang.

Hey,

what are you guys doing here?

Um...

Mr. Hwang.

Mr. Jang and Mr. Mu?

Are you here to root for Mr. Hwang on the weekend?

Oh...

Yes. Yes, we are.

Since you're here, let's get a group shot of you three.

The caption will say "Mr. Hwang's Steadfast Troopers" under the main photo.

This way.

This is good. This way.

Sure.

Ready now? Could you get closer together?

Okay.

Good. Smile, please.

Mr. Hwang,

please reconsider your decision to terminate Ms. Jeong's contract.

Did you come all this way to ask me that?

And why are you here, Mr. Jang?

Do you agree with him?

No, Mr. Hwang.

Not exactly.

One more.

Smile.

One, two, three.

We'll take a quick break.

Follow me.

What do you think you're doing here?

Mr. Hwang,

Ms. Jeong is just a contract worker, but terminating her contract

before the end of the contract term may tarnish your fine reputation.

What?

Mr. Hwang,

firing her like this is unjust.

Please reconsider, sir.

Just what do you two think you're doing?

Can't you see that the PR people are here to write a piece about me?

We know, sir, but...

Kim?

Kim...

It's a fine weekend, Mr. Hwang.

What brings you here, Ms. Kim?

Do you practice judo?

Yes, sir.

I dabble in it as a hobby.

You do?

Your hobby is judo?

Mr. Hwang,

would you

spar with me?

You want to go up against me?

I don't spar with women.

Don't think of me as a woman.

Please teach me a few pointers

as one judo practitioner to another.

This is great.

A friendly match with a female staffer.

Wow.

Really?

Then should we?

Yes, Mr. Hwang.

Yes,

please.

Go!

Mr. Hwang, please reinstate Ms. Jeong.

What?

Disengage!

What are you talking about?

Go!

What are you trying to do here?

Please reinstate her.

If not, a huge photo of you being chocked by a female staffer

may end up in the next newsletter, sir.

Are you

threatening me?

This is not a threat, sir.

What the...

What are they saying to each other?

Disengage.

This is it, sir.

Throw me down.

What?

If you throw me down now,

you can save face,

and a contract worker can be saved from injustice.

What?

If you don't throw me down on the count of three,

I'll throw you down, sir.

One.

Two.

Three!

Ms. Kim.

The winner!

Mr. Hwang Gapdeuk wins!

For the dream of a permanent position at Y.Jang. Go, Jeong Juri!

Mr. An.

Pardon?

Does this mean

I can keep going to work?

Yes.

Mr. Mu called, and then I came straight over to see you.

Juri?

Juri!

What a relief.

This is so great.

Yes,

this really is great.

But why the sudden change of mind?

I don't know.

I have no idea.

How can we know what the company's thinking?

In any case, what a relief.

Congratulations, Juri.

Thank you.

Oh?

Mr. Curly.

What?

- Mr. Curly? - We're not open yet.

Um,

is Kim...

Is Kim Jeomsun not here yet?

Nope.

Really?

By the way,

do you work here?

No.

I'm Sun's boyfriend.

What?

Boyfriend?

Yup.

Kim.

What do you want?

How long have you been practicing judo?

Didn't I say it was my hobby?

Sure.

And you just happened to come to Mr. Hwang's judo studio

and decided to spar with him, right?

What about you? Why were you there?

Me?

I was there to support Mr. Hwang for his newsletter interview.

Sure.

Could I have my dinner? I skipped breakfast. I'm really hungry.

I figured you would be, so it's ready to be served.

Thanks.

- Bon appetit. - Thanks.

Have you heard?

Jeong Juri will be reinstated.

Is that so?

You're always trying to act cool.

Are you going to stay seated here like this?

Why don't you get going if you're finished here?

I'm losing my appetite.

I was about to leave anyway.

Doesn't this place even serve a guest a glass of water?

Talk about an unfriendly bar.

The place is just like Kim.

Pain Relief Patch

Good morning, Mr. Hwang.

Ms. Kim.

It was a great match.

You're quite good.

Is your back okay?

Yes, sir.

Good.

Let's do it again some other time.

Mr. Hwang,

thank you for keeping your promise.

Promise?

What promise?

Good morning, Ms. Kim.

Good morning, Juri.

Ms. Kim, did you get my voicemail?

What voicemail?

There wasn't a voicemail on your phone?

No.

I didn't get anything.

I see.

Good morning.

Good morning, Juri.

Juri, it's a very good morning indeed.

Good morning.

Good morning, Mr. Mu.

Juri, good morning.

Yes, Mr. Mu.

It's a very good morning.

Jeong Juri,

I'll beat you to a pulp if you ever sing again.

Why are you running away?

I wasn't running away.

I was on my way to the restroom.

The restroom?

The restroom's over there.

Oh, right.

Do you remember the incident in my car the other night?

No, sir. I totally blacked out that night.

You don't?

Missy,

you'd better watch it,

because I'm keeping an eye on you for the next two months.

And don't you ever

drink soju bombs if Mr. Hwang is around.

He hates drunken antics. Understood?

Yes, sir.

What's going on?

We have a reservation for a private party.

Reservation?

But we don't take reservations.

Rosa made an exception for this group.

Welcome.

How did you find a place like this, Mr. Mu?

Yeah.

Can we even have an office party at a place like this? Do they have soju...

She looks a lot like our dear Ms. Kim.

She looks exactly like Ms. Kim.

It's been a while, hasn't it, Mr. Jang?

I mean, Gyujik.

It's been a long time since we sat down for a drink, just the two of us.

Yes, it's been a while, sir.

I think this is the first time since I came back from the States.

You must not love me anymore, sir.

You're too much, kiddo.

Hey,

about the support team's proposal...

Have you read it?

Yes, sir.

Given how things have unfolded,

I'll help Mr. Me and the two of us will work to get it implemented.

Make it yours.

Pardon?

Mr. Jang,

put it under your name,

and you take charge of it.

All set, right?

This party's for you, Juri,

so why don't you raise a toast?

That sounds good.

Look at how excited he is.

Thank you all so much.

Even just yesterday,

I didn't think I'd ever be able to see you all like this again.

The truth is, I was very scared.

I was scared I wouldn't be able to find another job.

I was scared of being jobless again.

But the thing

that scared me the most

was not being able to see all of you...

Mr. Ko, Mr. Gye, Mr. Mu,

and Ms. Kim again.

That's what really scared me.

But now,

here I am with all of you,

so I couldn't be happier.

I'll do my very best.

I'll work very hard

so that I can see you all for a long time.

Shall we drink then?

What should we drink to?

How about to the success of the "Be Good to Mama" proposal?

That sounds great.

To the success of

"Be Good to Mama"!

Thank you.

Cheers, dear Ms. Kim.

So is this where you live?

Do you eat and sleep here?

Don't you have a home?

I do eat here,

but I don't sleep here, Mr. Ko.

I need some fresh air. Excuse me.

Um...

Ms. Kim.

You came to the judo studio

to help Ms. Jeong again, right?

I was just there to enjoy my hobby.

Here you go again.

Just like you said,

I was unable to do anything.

I couldn't protect anything or anyone,

and at the same time,

I couldn't totally let go of anything, either.

What...

I don't know what I'm doing.

If this happens again, I'll still be unable to do anything, right?

Right.

You probably

won't be able to do anything,

given your position and job.

If you can't do anything,

just stay where you are.

That's what you have to do.

Oh,

and also,

you really

did your best

from where you were.

Mr. Jang.

Gyujik.

Mu Jeonghan.

Hey, Jeonghan. Jeonghan.

Huh?

Hey, Gyujik.

What's going on?

Why did you drink so much?

Where's everyone else?

I sent them home because it was getting late.

What?

They abandoned the head of their team?

For an ex-Marine, Gye Gyeongwu sure lacks discipline.

No, no. I told them to go.

I sent everyone away so that I could

have a drink with you.

Gyujik,

I drank

a bit tonight because I was in such a good mood,

but as I got drunk,

I missed you a lot.

I'm sorry, Mr. Jang,

for being a softie,

for being too square,

and for frustrating you.

I'm sorry. I really am.

Dude,

it's tough working with me, right?

What are you talking about?

I know how tough it must be to work with someone like me.

I know it's frustrating.

But despite

how hard it is,

you've never gotten angry at me.

Ever since we joined Y.Jang,

you've always gone out of your way

to watch my back.

Thanks.

And I'm sorry.

I'm sorry

and grateful.

That proposal

has to be taken away from the support team,

so put it under your name,

and you take charge.

Why aren't you answering me?

Oh.

Yes, sir.

I only just quit, but I could really use a smoke right now.

Um,

could I bum a cigarette off you?

But there's no smoking here.

How can a bar have no smoking?

This bar's ridiculous, just like Kim.

But what scared me the most

was not being able to see

Ms. Kim again.

Kim?

Subtitles by KBS World

We'll identify Home Mart's top 10 steady selling side dishes

and make them the centerpieces of the buffet.

It'll be a headache if Mr. Mu finds out,

so don't tell him.

If this goes over well,

we should think of Season 2.

Season 2?

What a jerk. He always does the worst possible thing.

Mr. Jang, are you seeing anyone?

What do you think of Bitna?

- Pardon? - Dad.

The two of us walk down this street.

What are you doing, Jang Gyujik?

She's just a telephone pole.

Snap out of it!