Kim Da-mi and Shin Ye-eun star in ‘A Hundred Memories,’ a nostalgic bus romance
From left, actors Shin Ye-eun, Kim Da-mi and Heo Nam-jun pose at a press conference for JTBC drama “A Hundred Memories” at The Link Seoul hotel in Guro District, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
JTBC’s new retro youth melodrama revisits 1980s friendships and first love
JTBC’s upcoming weekend drama “A Hundred Memories” is set to transport viewers back to the 1980s, telling a story of friendship, romance and youthful longing centered around the iconic No. 100 bus.
At a press conference held Thursday at The Link Seoul Hotel in Guro District, Seoul, director Kim Sang-ho and lead actors Kim Da-mi, Shin Ye-eun and Heo Nam-jun introduced the series.
Written by Yang Hee-seung, known for hits such as “Crash Course in Romance” and “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo,” and directed by Kim Sang-ho of “Thirty-Nine,” the drama follows bus conductors Ko Young-rye (Kim Da-mi) and Seo Jong-hee (Shin Ye-eun).
Their friendship is tested when they encounter Jae-pil (Heo Nam-jun), the son of a department store owner whose privileged background masks rebelliousness and loneliness.
The series highlights the role of female bus conductors, who in the 1980s were responsible for collecting fares, guiding passengers and signaling departures with the now-nostalgic call, “Orai!” The exclamation was a Koreanized signal used to tell drivers “Alright” or “ready to go.”
The show draws on these cultural markers while focusing on the resilience and dreams of young people at the time.
Director Kim said, “Rather than just showing the period itself, I wanted to depict the lives and emotions of people who lived through it. The big theme is youth, and the freshness of 1980 is something special we hope to capture.”
The production team recreated the era through sets, costumes and props, from berets and uniforms to vintage buses. The goal, Kim added, was to balance realism with character appeal.
Actors Shin Ye-eun, left, and Kim Da-mi pose at a press conference for JTBC drama “A Hundred Memories” at The Link Seoul hotel in Guro District, Seoul, Sept. 11. Yonhap
Chemistry and performances
Kim Da-mi plays a diligent but fiery conductor, while Shin Ye-eun portrays her progressive-minded colleague. Both spoke about how their bond on set mirrored the relationship onscreen.
Kim said, “At first, we were cautious, but as we acted together, we naturally grew close. Shin’s passion for acting impressed me — she never takes a scene lightly.”
Shin returned the praise, noting, “Da-mi’s calmness and warmth helped me adjust to the role. Watching her perform often made me realize new things in my own acting. She is a truly remarkable actress.”
Director Kim praised his cast: “Kim Da-mi brings authenticity and transparency to her role, while Shin Ye-eun has great instinct and spontaneity. Heo Nam-joon is stable and also lightens the mood on set.”
Producers say the drama will resonate both with audiences who lived through the 1980s and with younger viewers seeking inspiration.
Shin, who has previously starred in period dramas such as “Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born,” said, “Experiencing different eras has become a strength for me as an actress. For this role, I even practiced walking in flared pants to match the style of the time.”
“A Hundred Memories” premieres Sept. 13 on JTBC.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.