This review may contain spoilers
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.
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.
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