A Hundred Memories

Insufferable love triangle, lost it's value in part 2

They threw away all the potential built in part 1 and turned it into a soap opera slash makjang mess in part 2. Whoever wrote part 2 should never be allowed to write again.

How is it that all the misfortunes fall onto Jonghee’s lap, and all the qualities of a male lead are given to Junghyun, yet we’re still expected to root for the main couple?

Jonghee and Junghyun were well written, layered characters, but they ended up being used merely as tools to push the main couple together. The romance in part 2 felt like a checklist, another cliche from kdrama land, where the first male and female leads must end up together no matter what.

Jaepil was more interesting in part 1, when he was decisive, broken yet soft, he knew he liked Jonghee so he actively pursued her. The hate his character received later on is understandable given how poorly written his development became. We were not given enough foundation on how his heart moved to Youngrye other than Youngrye was the one who takes care of his personal (and family's) needs.

Youngrye in part 2 fell into one dimensional main lead syndrome. She eventually got everything while Jonghee had so little, yet lost so much. This contrast made some of us can't help but symphatize with Jonghee rather than Youngrye. The only thing Youngrye's character showed in part 2 was her being a lovesick. She was supposed to be ambitious but the only thing she chased was Jaepil. I cannot comprehend how she still clung to her bestfriend's ex after everything that happened to Jonghee without feeling guilty (and after the grand monologue of ending her unrequited love!). I blame the writer for her such an out-of-character degradation.

This drama would have been so much better if it had focused on female friendship instead of forcing them into rivalry. It could’ve been heartwarming and soul-lifting, but instead, we only got an insufferable love triangle. I genuinely feel sorry for the actors. The only silver lining is maybe the hype from all of this madness could help the actors to be more selective in accepting scripts.

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feel back and relax

I’ve just started A Hundred Memories and I’m already hooked. From the very first episode, it draws you in with heartfelt storytelling, layered characters, and a nostalgic atmosphere that feels both emotionally rich and visually authentic. Set in 1980s South Korea, the drama doesn’t just lean on retro aesthetics for charm — it uses the era meaningfully to explore themes of dreams, sacrifice, and friendship.

The main characters — Go Young-rye and Seo Jong-hee — are immediately compelling. Young-rye is hardworking, grounded, and relatable, a young woman juggling dreams of going to university with the burden of supporting her family as a bus conductor. Jong-hee, in contrast, is vibrant, charming, and confident, but not without her own complexities. Their bond feels real, and watching their friendship unfold against the backdrop of growing tensions (and possible romance) adds depth to the story.

What really makes this drama stand out so far is how it captures the feel of the 1980s. The uniforms, the buses, the handwritten tickets, even the sound of old radios and bustling stations — it all brings a wave of nostalgia, whether you lived through the era or just appreciate stories grounded in a time of transition. It gives the show a warmth and sincerity that’s hard to fake. The atmosphere is comforting, even as the story deals with serious themes like societal expectations, lost opportunities, and emotional wounds.

The pacing has been well-balanced so far — thoughtful but never slow — and I’m genuinely curious to see how the characters grow, especially with the hints of a love triangle and family pressures simmering beneath the surface. I’m particularly interested in Jae-pil’s backstory and how his relationship with the girls will develop. There’s a lot of promise here for emotional depth, and the chemistry among the leads makes it easy to get invested.

Overall, A Hundred Memories is shaping up to be a beautiful period drama — nostalgic without being overly sentimental, grounded in relatable struggles, and filled with the kind of sincerity that makes you want to keep watching. I’m definitely excited to see more, and I have a feeling this one is going to leave a lasting impression.

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A Hundred Memories: What Doesn’t Return

Set in 1980s South Korea, A Hundred Memories is a slice-of-life drama where a backdrop filled with analog and nostalgic elements embraces both the pain and beauty of everyday life — like a wildflower blooming through concrete.

The beginning is slow and subtle, but as the minutes pass and life unfolds, what once seemed like coincidence gains weight, revealing itself as fate through the gentle lens of Ko Youngrye — the eldest daughter in a humble family of five. After her father’s death, she puts her dreams on hold to help her mother support the family by working as a bus fare collector at Cheong Ah Transport. On what appears to be an ordinary day, two meaningful encounters take place: her eyes meet those of Seo Jonghui, who would later become her coworker, and Han Jaepil, her first love. And so begins an emotional journey where young hearts must navigate new and conflicting feelings.

I’ll admit I have a bit of a bias against love triangles, so I started off wary, expecting the cliché of two best friends fighting over the same man to feel shallow. But A Hundred Memories made it work — at least in the beginning. I still remember the thrill of wondering who the final couple would be (good times).

After all the emotional weight and tension of the first part, the seven-year time skip changes everything. The relationships lose their grounding, and much is left to the viewer’s imagination.

YR’s feelings endure over time, and her bond with JP grows deeper and more intimate. Meanwhile, JH lives a life of appearances, feeding the ego of her adoptive mother who forbids her from reconnecting with her past. When that connection finally happens, it triggers an inner conflict — the past she remembers so fondly no longer exists. People have changed, matured, and she seems to be the only one who changed on the outside but remains the same confused JH inside, lost in a role she can’t escape.

Watching A Hundred Memories was a meaningful journey. Even now, I’m not entirely sure how I feel about the series. The issue wasn’t with the main characters or the final couple — I quietly rooted for YR and JP, and I didn’t dislike the idea of JH and JP either. For me, either pairing could’ve worked as long as it made sense. Still, I wasn’t fully satisfied. After the rush of the ending faded, I was left with a bittersweet feeling and the sense that something was unresolved. Honestly, I missed a sincere and emotional reconciliation between the girls — they made a point of showing their downfall in the rain, so why not show the healing and forgiveness too?

That said, the supporting cast was delightful. I really enjoyed the development of the relationship between YR’s friend and JP’s friend — it was the breath of fresh air I needed after getting so annoyed with driver Kim. Oh, and I missed seeing more of YR’s brother — he definitely deserved more screen time!

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A Retro Ride with Heart

This drama gave me major retro vibes — think Reply 1988, but with its own beautiful twist. It’s got everything that makes a slice-of-life drama hit right in the feels — the helplessness of a son who just wants to give his family the world, the desperation of a daughter doing everything she can to protect hers, genuine female friendship, and of course… a classic K-drama love triangle (because what’s a retro story without one, right?).
What I absolutely loved is how Hundred Memories reminds us of the tiny joys we often overlook — having dinner together, laughing through struggles, realizing that happiness isn’t about wealth but about being surrounded by people who truly care for you.
✨ Favorite moment? When the mother has an accident and the daughter realizes how important money is — yet still refuses to sacrifice love and relationships for it. That scene hit different.
P.S. Finished watching this on Oct 21 — and trust me, the ending is so satisfying. No loose ends, no heartbreak hangovers — just a beautiful, full-circle closure. 💛

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Friendship Over Rivalry: The True Triangle in A Hundred Memories

When we talk about love triangles, we usually picture rivalry, jealousy, or even betrayal between two friends. That’s the cliché. But A Hundred Memories dares to flip the formula. Ko Yeong Rye is in love with Jae Pil, but Jae Pil is drawn to Seo Jong Hee. The twist? Yeong Rye and Jong Hee aren’t rivals—they’re best friends. That choice changes everything.

It’s a premise that echoes Truffaut’s Jules et Jim (1962), where friendship and love collide in a way that feels honest rather than melodramatic. Or think of My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997), where the story doesn’t end with the expected romantic “win,” but with a bittersweet acceptance of friendship over rivalry. That’s the same kind of vibe A Hundred Memories might be leaning toward.

What are the possible outcomes? One: Jong Hee could renounce Jae Pil, leaving nobody with anyone. Two: once Jae Pil shows clear interest in Jong Hee, Yeong Rye would realistically back away—because being the “second choice” is painful, maybe even unbearable. And three: there’s Jong Hee’s brother, the law student, who already seems intrigued by her. He could easily become the unexpected twist in this delicate balance.

And then there’s that closing scene of Episode 4. Jae Pil accidentally runs into Jong Hee, now wearing her work uniform. His silence and stare linger too long—it feels exaggerated, almost as if the uniform itself carries judgment. If it were me, I’d have gone with something natural like, “Oh, what a surprise, I didn’t know you worked here.” But the direction makes his hesitation about status clear. Is he truly shocked… or is the drama emphasizing how much appearances still matter in this world?

We’ll see in Episode 5 if he softens his reaction or doubles down. Either way, it’s a fascinating tension between natural storytelling and heightened drama.

Episode 10 Update
With just one weekend left before it ends, the series chooses stability over catharsis.
After Hee and Rye finally face each other and admit they love the same man, the show instantly cools everything down. Hee realizes—without anyone having to tell her—that she has no real chance against Rye. From that point on, she practically disappears from the episode when it comes to Pil: no contact, no exchange, just her own tension with her mother and the brief encounter with Rye’s brother. It’s a deliberate narrative choice: the script removes her from the love triangle and reframes her as a social mirror rather than a romantic rival. The result is an emotional void—the triangle doesn’t resolve, it simply fades away. A Hundred Memories shifts from the inner fire of feelings to the outer order of hierarchy. Visually stunning, yes, but clearly a choice for stability instead of catharsis.
The preview for episode 11 confirms it: love is no longer the battlefield—Miss Korea is. Where they once competed for affection, they now compete for validation. “Let’s play fair this time,” Hee tells Rye, barely touching her hand. It’s the echo of everything before: two women who once hurt each other trying to win the same man, now standing as equals in a symbolic arena. It’s not reconciliation; it’s acceptance.
Meanwhile, Hyun drifts into narrative limbo. His arc promised maturity and balance, but the script reduces him to a bystander. Unless the finale gives him purpose again, the ending risks feeling uneven. Because if this episode proved anything, it’s that A Hundred Memories knows how to close chapters with visual grace—but not always with emotional justice.

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Truly not that bad

A Hundred Memories has been receiving a lot of flack, much of it, imo, unfair.

I think many complaints you'll read will be because viewers either A) expected the show to go against the typical kdrama formula, hoping for something AHM just wasn't going to give, or B) have, naturally, chosen a side in the love triangle(s), and are unhappy with the outcome(s).
But it's important to keep in mind that fans of each female lead feel their favorite character was mistreated the most, so in that regard, weren't the 2 FLs treated quite equally?

I think the focus of the first half of the show at 19 years old, is on choosing friendship and getting through tough times together. The focus of the second half at 26, is on choosing yourself, overcoming insecurities, and learning that you can stand on your own.

No character or relationship is all that thoroughly developed. There was much left unexplored. The final ep tried to cram in too much at once. I can't help but think this drama is another victim of the new 12-episode model in Korea.

But I'd say all the actors and their characters are great, and this often-charming drama is worth a watch if you try to appreciate every character.

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Nostalgic and cute I don't understand the negative reviews...

a 7.6 for such a drama? what is happening to MDL?
It was such a nice drama in a while I don't understand, first of all their acting and the whole cast is 10/10 second of all, I get it the plot isn't something novel and new the typical friendship and love triangle but come on, it's still a good watch. It has all the elements, the platonic girl's relationships, first loves and sad second leads, friends to lovers and the unexpected cute second or shall i say third couple hehe.
I loved that it was pretty unpredictable to guess who will end up with who because normally you can tell who is going to be with who from the beginning of the story, in this case everyone have a good strong chemistry together so that was new and interesting. I love the vibes of the show, it made me feel a ray of Reply 1988, that community and family warmth, it was comforting and nostalgic. Personally I would give it a 8/10 but I have to rate it 10/10 because I think the ratings aren't doing it justice.

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A Hundred Memories, Only a Few Worth Keeping

Disclaimer: I went into this drama with unusually high expectations. The time period was exactly the kind of setting I love, the premise appeared fresh, and, most importantly, it featured one of my favorite actresses, Shin Ye Eun, in a role that promised emotional depth and quiet strength.

Acting / Cast
The cast is, without question, the drama’s strongest asset. Shin Ye Eun delivers a compelling performance as Seo Jong Hui, a woman carrying the weight of a tragic past yet presenting herself as capable, resilient, and fiercely protective of the vulnerable. Her character instantly drew me in. She balances mystery, moral conflict, and emotional restraint in a way that anchors the entire show.

Kim Da Mi, as Ko Yeong Rye, initially adds an interesting contrast as a timid young woman from a financially struggling family. However, her indecisiveness and self-effacing nature quickly became exhausting. Her constant willingness to sacrifice herself for nearly anyone in her vicinity felt less like a character trait and more like a narrative burden.

What surprised me most is that despite my issues with Yeong Rye’s characterization, Ye Eun and Da Mi have genuinely strong on-screen chemistry — arguably the best dynamic in the entire series. Their early interactions are engaging, natural, and brimming with understated tension. I honestly enjoyed those first episodes largely because of how well they played off each other.

Then, unfortunately, the male lead enters the picture. Heo Nam Jun’s Han Jae Pil begins as a promising, layered character, but the writing strips him of nuance with every episode. His emotional volatility and constant “love reversals” made him increasingly frustrating to watch. He isn’t a red flag, exactly — more someone who is addicted to feeling things for the sake of emotional stimulation. His bond with Jong Hui dissolves the moment it becomes inconvenient for the plot. His pursuit of Yeong Rye feels transactional, almost like he’s checking obligations off a list rather than falling in love.

By the end, the love triangle not only weakens the cast dynamic — it actively damages it.

Score: 8/10

Writing
This is where the drama falters most. The setup is undeniably strong: Two female bus conductors navigating the tight constraints of 1980s Korean society — family expectations, economic hardship, danger on the job, and personal dreams. Their contrasting personalities create a natural balance and enormous potential for character development, social commentary, and a deeply textured friendship arc.

But instead of cultivating that foundation, the writing gradually funnels everything into a conventional, unnecessary love triangle that diminishes both women and overshadows their personal journeys. The hints of complex female friendship — and even potential queer subtext — are abandoned without payoff. Their bond, which initially felt layered and quietly intimate, becomes flattened into cliché “love rivalry” tropes that strip both characters of individuality.

The drama repeatedly suggests it wants to explore themes like:
– women’s solidarity
– social class struggles
– the emotional cost of survival
– the contradictions of female independence in a conservative era

But none of these threads are given real development. There is no narrative build-up, no clear motivation, and ultimately no cohesive message. By the time the finale arrives, the story feels like it has taken a hundred illogical routes, losing sight of what made it compelling in the first place.

Most disappointing is the ending: the writers chose the most predictable path by pairing the main couple, despite their stark lack of romantic chemistry. Jong-hui and Yeong-rye worked far better as a mirroring duo, and ironically, the two women had more chemistry with each other than had with the male lead.

Score: 5/10

Direction / SFX / Music
The direction is serviceable but inconsistent. The early episodes are atmospheric and grounded, effectively capturing the social rhythms of the 1980s. As the drama falls deeper into melodrama, though, the direction becomes flatter, as if following the writing into less inspired territory. Cinematography and set design are solid throughout — enough to make the period feel lived-in rather than decorative. The OST did not particularly stand out to me, it was fine but rarely enhanced the emotional beats.

Score: 7/10

A Hundred Memories could have been something special: a textured portrayal of two women balancing friendship, duty, and desire in a turbulent era. The setting is promising, the cast talented, and the initial chemistry — especially between the two female leads — is genuinely compelling. But the drama ultimately sacrifices its uniqueness for a tired romantic framework, reducing its protagonists to conventional tropes and abandoning the themes that could have made it memorable.

I would recommend it only with caveats:
Watch it for Shin Ye Eun, for the early episodes, and for the glimpses of what it almost became. But be prepared — the story loses its way long before the end.

Overall score: 8/10

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Confused who is the actual FL

This drama started off so great with the two FL friendships, struggles, family life, dreams, hopes and ambitions. The entire narrative as to why JH disappeared was not addressed properly. YR seems to have not shared the fact that JH left to save YR’s life with anyone, including JP. The 7 year time jump with the JP and YR suddenly being so close felt forced. The whole JP being so crazy in love with YR after JH showed up made no sense. JH was JP’s first love and he didn’t even bat an eyelid when he found out JH vanished because of YR and broke up with him because YR was in love with him. It’s like she absolutely didn’t matter. YR and Jung Hyun felt more organic and I rooted for them more than YR-JP. JH and YS felt more organic and heartwarming. It felt so incomplete that they didn’t show them getting together. Also, even though YR is supposed to be FL JH carried the show. The fact that everyone was mad at JH when YR was in the hospital made no sense. That was absolutely not JH’s fault and moreover she literally did something similar for YR without any recognition or acknowledgment by anyone. JH was so ready to sacrifice everything for YR’s family and their friends but they all treated JH as an afterthought (except YS who was the only one who valued or recognized her). Overall the drama started of with so much potential, great actors, excellent cinematography and realistic 80’s depiction. It was disappointing how hodgepodge the second half was.

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Never ever break up a friendship because of a man!

Lets get to the review!

Chemistry checks for me (IMO)


Koh Yeong rye x jeong hyeon (even if it was one sided on his side)
Seo Jong Hee x Ko Yeong Sik (i didnt quiet feel her chemistry with Jae Pil)

—Koh Yeong Rye x Seo Jong Hee
This is the friendship i want in my life without a man in the middle ofc (i dont fight over men LOL). This is real friendship. I didnt want their friendship to end over a man… (still on ep 10). Seo jong hee not only is in a love triangle but also being triple threatened 😟. The dude from cheongah bus coming for her and yeong rye, her adoptive mom might be a bad influence, her brother… omg miss girl. Lets go back to their friendship after ep.6 i think the show started showing elements of jealousy (Not envy!) from seo jong hee side.. i was like NO! PLEASE NO! mind you i am typing this after i finished ep 10 i dont want a friendship break up guys! Friendship break up hurt way way more than a relationship break up :c.

Going back to the time of cheongah bus whats been happening with kwon hae ja the one who ended up in a horrific workplace accident? I still cannot believe some companies try to dodge responsibility even if what happened was this horrific like not even an ounce of guilt?! Tbh am i the only one who saw the clip before it was revealed that she was the one in the accident i almost thought it was koh yeong rye!!!!


*AFTER COMPLETING EP 11+12*

We see kwon hae ja in the audience during the miss korea pageant show 👏.The miss korea pageant stage literally left me on the edge of my seat like why tf is that stupid personnel manager thinking she ruined his life? He ruined it himself… and then when he stabs yeong hye and the camera pans out there is literally someone still taking pictures of whats happening while she fights for her life on the floor 🤓 (I HOPE SOMEBODY ELSE NOTICED!!!!

Ep 12 many comments said this and i fully agree. The beach scene where jong hee was thirdwheeling the ML and FL was so so painfully awkward…

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