Original subtitles

The Queen of Office

You'll have to do the presentation.

- Pardon? - Hurry.

Here. There's no time.

You have the notes for the presentation, right?

I do, but...

Hey, don't mess up.

Mr. Hwang,

what's going on here?

The president's here. This is ridiculous.

Sir, there was a bit of a mix up.

We'll start over.

We are very sorry to have kept you waiting.

There was a bit of a mix up.

We will start the presentation over.

This is the "Be Good to Mama" lunch box cafe by the Support Team.

I'm Mu Jeonghan. the head of the Marketing & Sales Support Team.

The lunch box cafe we envision...

Mr. Mu's probably doing well on the presentation, right?

He tends to get very nervous.

I hope he's doing okay.

It should be wrapping up soon.

- Mr. Mu. - Mr. Mu.

Did you do well?

What happened? Did they announce the winner?

Yes.

We...

We won first place.

- Really? - We won?

I knew it would all work out.

Congratulations, Juri.

This is thanks to all of you.

Good job, Mr. Mu.

You, too, Ms. Kim.

Shall we go out for dinner?

Where do you suppose Mr. Jang went?

Mu Jeonghan

You heard I walked out of the presentation, right?

Are you here

to get praised or something?

Can I get praised if I ask for it?

Being cool isn't your thing.

Go kneel down and beg Mr. Hwang for mercy and save yourself.

Kim,

I'm here because if I don't tell you now, I'll never be able to.

Kim,

accept my offer of a permanent position.

I don't know what you're talking about.

I had said no to that offer a while back.

Why don't you talk to Mr. An about this?

That's not what I mean.

Take a permanent position in my life, Ms. Kim Jeomsun.

I...

I really...

I like you.

Mr. Cabbage Patch Head...

We're not...

Shooting a TV drama here.

What's wrong with you, woman?

I told you not to use brute force.

You started it.

If you're here to act like a drunken fool,

I suggest you leave.

I'm not drunk. I meant what I said.

Do you think I want to feel this way?

I have everything going for me.

I don't what to have feelings for

a three month contract worker

of spurious origins.

But I can't help it.

I don't know why I'm like this,

but I can't help but think of you all the time.

I'm being sincere.

Sincere?

Then can you

give up

everything for me?

What?

Can you give up everything you have?

Your company, society,

and all the people around you...

Can you turn your back on them?

Why would I have to do that?

Are you...

An ex-convict?

As you said,

I'm a contract worker who'll be gone in a few weeks,

so don't fool yourself

into thinking you can impress me

by walking away from one stupid presentation.

Hey, Kim!

You just won't open up, will you?

Darn it!

Ow, my arm.

She's no better than a wild dog.

She's a robot.

She's incapable of emotion.

What was I thinking? I must be going nuts.

Seeing you yapping away,

I think you'll be fine,

Mr. Cabbage Patch Head.

Good job today.

The higher-ups really liked it.

They say it shows hard work and commitment.

Thank you, sir, but we still have a long way to go.

- We'll keep at it, sir. - Good.

Make it work.

You have my full support.

Good grief. You still can't down a shot of whiskey in one go?

I'm sorry, sir. I'm not much of a drinker.

- Thanks. - So...

What will happen to Mr. Jang?

He messed up big time.

The executive director is really angry with him.

Bitna, why are you here at this hour?

Why am I here?

Do you have any idea how worried I've been?

You just walked out, and then no one could get in touch with you.

Where have you been?

Here and there.

Mr. Hwang is very angry, isn't he?

Why did you do that all of a sudden?

Was it something I wasn't supposed to do?

It was just so unlike you.

It's late. You should get going.

You have to work tomorrow.

Yeah.

You'll be at work tomorrow, right?

I'll see you at the office, right?

Of course. Don't worry.

I'm Jang Gyujik.

I won't go down over something like this.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Did you get a good night's sleep?

Yes, I did.

Are you sure

you didn't lose sleep

over what I said?

I slept very soundly.

But I didn't.

I couldn't sleep because of you.

Are you sure it wasn't

due to fear of what the company will do to you?

No.

So what will happen to Mr. Jang?

Things look pretty serious in there.

Just look at Mr. Hwang.

Yup.

The directors and department heads were all at the scene, after all.

But Mr. Jang's done so much for the company.

I'm sure he'll be fine.

I'm sorry, Mr. Hwang.

The president and all the executives were there.

How could you just walk out?

I'm sorry, sir.

I'm very sorry.

You are to transfer

your job responsibilities

to Mr. Gu as of today.

Pardon?

Human Resources is stripping you of your title.

Pardon? Stripping me of my title?

You're no longer the head of the Marketing & Sales Team.

Be on standby until you get a new appointment.

Where should I go?

Mr. Mu, here's the list of the cost of each side dish.

Thank you.

Mr. Jang.

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. Jang,

why don't you read this if you have nothing to do?

It's today's paper.

That's okay, Mr. Ko.

Don't mind me. Just carry on working.

Mr. Cabbage Patch Head,

you're at work. You can't just sit there.

You can do this.

What?

Not like that.

Like this.

Oh, like this?

Why didn't you tell me sooner?

They say nothing is certain in life.

But who would've thought Jang Macho would end up like this?

I know.

I thought Mr. Jang would never fall from grace.

There's no permanent safety net in life.

Honey, do you think they might make you the head of the team?

You never know, right?

Expectant parents can be brutal.

Gyujik.

Why did you do it?

Do what?

You're not the only one who can act cool.

I'm sorry, Gyujik.

I shouldn't have been so stubborn.

For something like this, you say "thank you," not "I'm sorry."

Right.

Thank you.

I'm the one who's thankful.

Thank you for staying in your spot, Jeonghan.

So how long do you have to be at that desk?

I wanted to get you a better chair at least, but I couldn't find any.

That's okay. I'm fine.

It's not too bad there.

Why? Because you can see Ms. Kim up close?

No...

Hey, don't worry.

I won't go down that easily.

I'll be back on my feet in no time, so no worries.

The lunch box food tasting is right around the corner, right?

Will they open a cafe right away if the tasting is a success?

No, we're still working on lowering the cost.

Hey, missies, can I have a cup of coffee?

I can't?

There's coffee in the pot. You can pour it yourself.

Missy...

Here it is.

Awesome.

Mr. Jang, I'll do that later.

No, I have nothing else to do.

Mr. Cabbage Patch Head,

take that to the storage room.

Where? The storage room? Down the hall there?

Mr. Gye, how's it going with the fliers and banners for the tasting?

I'm meeting with the design team later.

We're finalizing the designs today.

Good.

- Mr. Mu. - Yes?

Here's the budget for the food tasting.

Thank you.

As for the rest of you,

You're not making special plans for lunch that day, right?

The food tasting event has to take place during lunch.

That means Ms. Jeomsun won't be able to make it.

Of course not.

It's obvious.

"It's lunch time, sir."

It will be very tough without Ms. Kim there.

It's too bad, but we'll have to endure those circumstances.

It'll be so tough, though.

Yup.

I do not work during lunch, as stipulated in my contract.

However,

given that the tasting must take place during lunch,

I will request overtime pay.

Yes. But of course.

"Be Good to Mama" Lunch Box Food Tasting

Quail eggs in soy sauce Recipe by Bae Jeongeun's mother. Lee Gyeongok

Spicy mackerel Recipe by An Bomi's mother, Lee Hyeonsuk

Omelet roll Recipe by Hwang Yeongsik's mother. Yu Seongja

Mr. Hwang insisted, so I had this made,

but who's going to wear it?

I'm serving the food.

It will cost the company extra if I am to wear the headpiece.

I don't think I can do it. I have to survey the participants.

I have to keep an eye on how much food we have left.

Right.

As for me, the thing won't even fit my head.

Me?

You're suggesting that I wear this?

You're the only one here who has nothing to do.

I may have nothing...

Nothing to do, but still.

It'll be in front of the office. I can't do this.

Never.

Come to Y.Jang's "Be Good to Mama" lunch box tasting event.

It's free of charge.

It's free.

"Be Good to Mama."

It's Y.Jang's new lunch box brand.

Mr. Jang.

You're wearing a headpiece.

It suits you.

Listen, missies. I'm busy here, so scat.

Sure.

"Be Good to Mama."

Mr. Jang!

Hey, missies,

delete that photo!

Hey!

Welcome.

All you have to do is pick one main dish and two side dishes.

What would you like?

- Potatoes in soy sauce, please. - Of course.

This is Mrs. An Jisu's recipe.

The dishes here are made from real mothers' recipes?

Yes. We preserved the flavor of mom's home cooked meals.

Enjoy.

What would you like?

The omelet roll is so fluffy.

Are you enjoying the food?

What do you like best?

We're out of spicy squid salad.

- Let's go get some more. - Okay.

I'll be right back.

"Be Good to Mama" Lunch Box Food Tasting

How long do I have to keep this on?

It's way too hot.

Don't take it off.

We still have 20 minutes to go before the tasting draws to a close.

It's a lunch box tasting event, but they haven't given us lunch.

This is absurd.

Kim, aren't you hungry?

Should we have some of this?

I'm hungry, too,

but I'm getting overtime pay,

so I will have my lunch after we're done here.

Don't you goof around, either.

Go and hand out the rest of the fliers.

Okay. Okay.

What would you like?

The potatoes, please.

Potatoes in soy sauce?

This is Mrs. An Jisu's recipe.

- Enjoy. - Thank you.

What would you like?

Could I have the omelet roll?

This omelet roll is...

Jeomsun.

"Be Good to Mama" lunch box.

It's been a long time.

Do you work at Y.Jang?

Yes. For now.

I see.

I didn't know you were working so close by.

I don't know why we never ran into each other.

I tried so hard to get in touch with you after you left.

I asked the employees, but no one knew where you were.

There was no reason

for you to get in touch with me.

I should go.

Wait.

Darn it.

Jeomsun, what happened then was...

What do you think you're doing?

Who the heck are you?

What do you want from Ms. Kim Jeomsun?

It's none of your business, Mr. Cabbage Patch Head.

And who are you?

Me?

I'm Ms. Kim's supervisor.

I mean...

I'm a lunch box. What's it to you?

Pardon?

What business do you have with that woman?

How do you know her?

We're former colleagues.

Colleagues?

This is...

What is it?

Do you have something to say to me?

No, I don't.

Then why are you following me around like a lost puppy?

A lost puppy? I happened to be heading this way, too.

Kim.

Who was that guy?

I said it was none of your business, Mr. Cabbage Patch Head.

He looked like a real loser.

Kim, is that the type you're into?

Kim, you must not know me well enough.

I won't quit just because you refused me once.

By purely Korean standards, I have everything going for me,

from looks to job to education.

I also own an 82 square meter apartment in the Gangnam area.

That's rare at my age.

And I paid for my car with cash.

You know I drive a Hi-7, right?

My credit rating is in the second best tier,

and you'd be amazed at my bank balance.

I'm not done yet!

Huh?

I'm right, aren't I?

Gyujik likes Ms. Kim, right?

You sure have a wild imagination.

Yes.

I knew it.

I knew all that bickering would turn into love.

Are you still waiting for Gyujik?

I know Gyujik isn't interested in me,

but it's so hard to let go.

Bitna,

I'm in no place to give anyone advice on the romantic front,

but I think letting go can be one way to love someone.

Clinging and not giving up may be one way to love,

but perhaps letting go is another way to love.

That's why

you're still alone.

The human heart isn't a switch.

You can't just turn it on and off at will.

No way. I can't let go of him.

You ran into him?

Yes.

By chance.

I see.

Are you okay?

He seemed to be doing fine.

I suppose that

everyone's doing fine, just like him.

Yeah.

That's why you need to move on as well.

You've done well for yourself so far.

What are you doing?

It's okay, Jeomsun. They'll be taken into police custody tomorrow.

But what if something happens inside?

What if there's an accident.

This is too dangerous.

Would you rather get fired instead?

I didn't drag you out for no reason.

If I don't do this, you'll get fired, too.

It's not just that. You'll never be able to get another job.

Who was that guy?

Geez.

Why does she have so many secrets?

Almost done.

Would you like coffee, Mr. Mu?

Hi, Juri.

I can make my own.

Okay.

Hey, missy. Coffee...

Oh, it's right here.

Now that the tasting is over, is launching the cafe all that's left?

No. The cost is still too high.

I don't know how we can bring the price down to $5.

We've done all we could to get the most affordable ingredients.

Cost, cost, cost...

Mr. Mu,

what about the containers?

The lunch boxes?

Yeah. For example,

if you sell them at $1 a pop

and have customers use

their own lunch boxes, you can cut costs there.

Yeah.

But do you think $1 would cover the cost of a lunch box?

Corn plastic.

You submitted a proposal on corn plastic, right?

Didn't you say corn plastic was very affordable?

Did you ask around?

Yes, I did,

but I don't think using corn plastic is feasible.

Why not?

No one in Korea mass produces corn plastic.

Oh, really?

Hey, let me take care of this for you.

How.

I know of a place. I'll drop by there.

Really?

Well then,

Ms. Kim can come with me, right?

Excuse me.

Could we see the president?

What?

President Han.

What did you say?

We're here to see President Han.

Oh.

I'm President Han. Who are you?

Name: Han Beomman (40) CEO of Use Away, Korea's largest manufacturer of disposable goods

Mommy will be right there. Just hang on.

You have a handsome son.

He's loud and boisterous, too.

It's a girl.

I'm sorry.

It's okay.

We can't do this.

Our business is doing well.

Corn plastic?

Why bother with that? It would just be a hassle.

Calm him down, will you?

Please, President Han. If you would reconsider...

I know it's for a good cause, but...

Darn it.

In any case, I'm not interested.

We're done here, so be on your way.

President Han.

My baby's crying.

She doesn't like strangers.

Please go.

President Han, would you please think about it at least?

Good grief. This is maddening.

There's nothing to think about. I'm not going to do it.

Soothe the baby.

I'm trying to, but she keeps crying.

What are you doing?

How did you do it?

I was recreating your heartbeat the baby heard in your womb.

There's no better way to soothe and comfort a baby.

You two proceed with the discussion.

President Han, let me tell you what we're envisioning.

Okay.

Here.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

You said it was for a good cause,

and you seem to know what you're talking about.

- Here. - Yes.

It's nice to be out of the support team's tiny office, right?

How much lunger do you plan to stay in that tiny office?

What, do you not want me there?

I wouldn't say that, but it is a nuisance.

I don't blame you. You're at that age.

At our age,

people need to belong somewhere.

Why do you assume that we're in the same age bracket?

Well then,

are you way older than me?

That's not what I said.

Who cares if you're older? I'm cool with that, Kim.

I'm not cool with that, though.

By the way, why do you always wear that stupid hairnet thing?

- I don't take... - Personal questions, right?

But you'd look prettier with your hair down.

I'm sorry I'm late, sir.

Come in. Have a seat.

Is the lunch box project going well?

Yes.

The tasting event was a success, and we're preparing to launch the cafe.

Yeah?

Is there something you need to talk to me about, sir?

It's about Mr. Jang.

Yes?

We've decided to transfer him.

I see.

To which department, sir?

Pardon? The distribution center?

Yeah.

You'll be a manager there.

But Mr. Jang has no experience in distribution, and...

I'm sorry, Mr. Jang.

There was nothing I could do.

But Mr. Hwang, this is all so sudden.

The presentation incident was bad, but Mr. Jang shouldn't have to...

I understand, Mr. Hwang. I'm fine, sir.

Go and work there for now.

I'll try talking to Mr. Park once his anger subsides.

Yes, sir.

What are you all looking at?

What? Is it nice to finally get me out of your hair?

This isn't right, Mr. Jang.

It's not like you did anything terribly wrong.

How can anyone be honest and open in the company now?

Hey, I'm not going off to die.

I've only been transferred to a post outside Seoul.

What's with all of you?

But you can't just leave like this.

We should all have dinner together at least.

I should get home to pack.

You can buy me a drink when I come to visit, Mr. Ko.

Mr. Jang.

Gyujik...

I'm sorry, Gyujik.

Stop saying that. I told you I'm fine.

But do make sure that the lunch box project succeeds.

Turn it into a success

so that I can have mom's home cooked meals for lunch, okay?

Okay. I'll make it happen.

Gyujik,

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

Dude, you always

get drunk before I do, when I really need to get drunk.

Hey,

I'll come visit you often, okay?

Don't skip meals, okay?

You're going overboard.

Taxi!

Get in.

Don't skip meals.

Make sure you eat well.

I will. I will.

Gyujik!

Thank you.

Kim!

Kim!

Oh, you were there.

I've come to say goodbye.

Starting tomorrow morning, I report for work at the distribution center.

The place is all the way in Wonju.

You won't be able to see me even if you want to.

Aren't you sad?

Did you come here to ask me that?

You lost the one I gave you earlier, right?

We still haven't gone out to eat together, the two of us.

How can you be talking about eating right now?

We're not starving children.

That's not the point, is it?

I don't know when I'll be back in Seoul.

Are you really leaving once your contract is up?

Yes.

Can't you just stay?

You asked me

whether I'd be able to give up my work for you, didn't you?

I don't know why you asked me that,

but honestly, I don't know if I'd be able to.

No. I know I can't.

I'm not like you.

The company, or rather,

belonging somewhere, is as important as my life.

But there's one thing I do know.

I want

to be with you.

So call me.

Let's eat together.

Jang Gyujik Head of Marketing & Sales Team

That was a bit much. Go easy on the guy.

Why should I? You know how I am.

It felt so good to chew him out.

You and your temper...

Someone's here.

My name is Jang Gyujik.

As of today, I will be managing the operations team.

I look forward to working with you.

So do I, dude.

You seem way younger than me. I can call you "dude," right?

I'm not "dude," sir. I go by Mr. Jang.

What a stickler.

In any case,

I hope that

you do well here.

Oh, Ms. Kim, have a seat.

Yes, sir.

Your contract is up soon, right?

Yes.

I will be completing the contracted term soon.

What now?

Is there any way you'd be willing to stay on longer?

It is stipulated in my contract that no extensions can be made.

I know.

I figured this was how you'd be,

but I still thought I'd ask.

I'm sorry, Mr. Hwang.

Take it easy.

Goodbye.

Excuse me, sir.

I'm here to see Mr. Jang Gyujik, who recently came from the main office.

Where would I find him?

Jang Gyujik?

Who's that?

You know. The new kid with the nasty curly hair.

Oh, the curly hair.

I don't know where he is.

Go and look for him yourself.

Look.

You have to go to Iksan first and then Gimcheon to make it on time.

Going around like that will rack up the cost of gas.

I'm going to Gimcheon first.

Is the cost of gas the only problem?

Doesn't the company pay for that?

The company?

Are you kidding me?

Someone with a permanent position like yourself

can write off expenses, but we have to pay for gas ourselves.

Move.

Jeonghan.

Gyujik.

Gyujik, it's tough here, isn't it?

How's everyone back in Seoul?

How are Gye Gyeongwu, Mr. Ko and Juri?

They're all doing well.

And Ms. Kim's doing well, too.

Who said I wanted to know how Ms. Kim was doing?

She must have lost my business card again.

Not a single call. What a wild dog.

She's her usual self, right?

Long pants and fishnet hair thing?

Yup.

She's still wearing long pants in this heat?

She's quite a character.

She doesn't even have cankles.

She has pretty legs.

Gyujik,

the thing is, Ms. Kim has

a scar on her leg.

What? A scar?

How did she get it?

When I was in the riot police,

six years ago,

there was a strike at Daehan Bank.

During the strike, a fire broke out.

Ms. Kim worked there at the time.

I think that's when she hurt her leg.

Oh, really?

This is a secret.

Okay.

March 15, 2007 Daehan Bank Annual Picnic

Nothing will change!

No matter what you do, you can't change a thing.

Then am I supposed to just get fired like this?

I've been at the bank for 10 years.

So how much longer do you plan to neglect your family

and continue with the strike?

I'll get my job back if we hold out just a bit longer.

My colleagues are helping me.

Shut up!

The bank calls every day,

threatening to seize all our assets.

This is no way to live!

Mom.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, Gyujik.

But I spent my life career there.

I can't give up like this.

Here you go.

I'm...

I'm leaving again,

Ms. Jin.

Mr. Cabbage Patch Head.

I'm here

to see my mom.

Are you shocked?

I was shocked, too.

I wanted to call you, but I don't know your number.

Were you close to my mom?

I guess we really do have a connection.

How about a drink to...

It was my fault.

Ms. Jin...

Your mother...

I'm the one

who killed her.