'A Hundred Memories' has started strong, receiving positive responses from viewers.
Premiered on September 13, 'A Hundred Memories' tells the story of Yeong Rye (played by Kim Da Mi) and Jong Hee (played by Shin Ye Eun), two young bus attendants on the 100 line in the 1980s. The drama depicts their shining friendship and the tender emotions of first love surrounding Jae Pil (played by Heo Nam Joon), the destined man between them.
Written by Yang Hee Seung, who penned 'Crash Course in Romance,' 'Familiar Wife,' and 'Oh My Ghost,' and directed by Kim Sang Ho of 'Thirty-Nine' and 'Run On,' the drama had already generated buzz before its broadcast.
Set in the 1980s, the show delivers meticulous direction to match the era. Props such as bus tickets, tokens, timecards, abacuses, English grammar books, and paper dolls add a sense of realism. Spaces and cultural symbols of the decade—like music cafés, theaters, and blind dates in school uniforms—evoke nostalgia for that period.
Iconic songs from the '80s also make an appearance. When Yeong Rye falls for Jae Pil at first sight, Carpenters' "Close to You" (1970) plays, reinterpreted into an acoustic version by singer Baek Yerin, heightening the thrill of first love. Yeong Rye and Jong Hee are also seen singing along to Yousimcho’s "Where Shall We Meet Again,"(1982), adapted from poet Kim Kwang Seop’s work. Its lyrical melody and poignant vocals enhance the mood.
Viewers who tuned in shared positive responses such as “I love the retro sentiment.” “Finally found a drama that suits my taste.” “It gets really interesting from episode 2.” “Perfect casting.” “The warm dialogue and period details are spot on.” “So relatable,” and “A true reflection of 1980s youth.”
In the story, Jong Hee joins Cheong-A Transportation as a new bus attendant alongside Yeong Rye. After an unexpected incident in the dormitory, the two become inseparable friends. But things take a turn with the arrival of Yeong Rye’s fated first love, Jae Pil. The son of the Dongin Department Store chairman, Jae Pil has both looks and popularity but carries scars from his past.
According to Nielsen Korea, the second episode, which aired on the 14th, recorded a slight rise in ratings, climbing from 3.3% nationwide in the premiere to 3.587%. Meanwhile, 'A Hundred Memories' airs every Saturday and Sunday at 10:40 PM.
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