PRESS CONFERENCE: Kim Da Mi, Shin Ye Eun, and Heo Nam Joon Bring 1980s Youth to Life in "A Hundred Memories"

JTBC’s new weekend drama A Hundred Memories is set to premiere on September 13, and it’s already drawing attention for its nostalgic 1980s backdrop, heartfelt storylines, and fresh casting.

Starring Kim Da Mi, Shin Ye Eun, and Heo Nam Joon, the drama blends laughter, friendship, and first love into a narrative designed to resonate with audiences across generations.

On September 11, a production press conference was held at The Link Seoul Hotel in Guro-gu, Seoul, where the cast and director Kim Sang-ho discussed the drama’s vision and their experiences filming it. Written by Yang Hee-seung (Once Again, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo, Oh My Ghostess) and Kim Bo-ram, with direction by Kim Sang-ho (Thirty-Nine), the series promises a balance of empathy, humor, and sincerity.

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Friendship, Love, and Youth in the 80s

A Hundred Memories tells the story of two spirited bus guides in Seoul—Go Yeong-rye (Kim Da-mi), a model attendant with a mischievous side and big dreams of college, and Seo Jong-hee (Shin Ye-eun), a talented newcomer who enters the company like a comet. Their friendship is tested by Han Jae-pil (Heo Nam-joon), the fateful first love who stirs both joy and heartbreak.

Kim Da Mi reflected on capturing the essence of the era:

“I talked to the writer, and he said that the feeling of first love was something unique to that time. I wanted to act in a way that suited that time by feeling the emotion more intensely and expressing it more broadly.”

For Shin Ye-eun, creating Jong-hee meant giving her a distinct charm, both visually and emotionally:

“We talked a lot about how we wanted Jong-hee to have an image that was unique and special, different from the rest of the guides, and stand out. I tried to bring out a chic and different charm with bell-bottom pants, a denim jacket, and long straight hair that wouldn’t have been seen in that era.”

Meanwhile, Heo Nam-joon revealed he sought inspiration from home:

“I asked my father a lot because I was curious about his emotions during that time.”

Chemistry Between the Leads

The drama emphasizes womance—the deep bond between Yeong-rye and Jong-hee. Both actresses admitted they weren’t extroverted in real life, but their chemistry blossomed on set.

Kim Da-mi praised her co-star:

“On set, I felt that Shin Ye-eun had a lot of passion for acting, and I learned a lot from her. She doesn’t do even one scene carelessly.”

Shin Ye Eun, in turn, spoke warmly of Kim Da-mi:

“Dami unnie has a calmness, gentleness, and a warm smile. It helped me a lot in adapting to the work and creating Jong-hee. There are many times when I am amazed when I watch her act. Even if I worry about doing well, when I act with Dami unnie, I end up acting beyond what I thought.”

Behind the Character of Han Jae-pil

Heo Nam Joon described his character, Jae-pil, as more than a simple romantic lead:

“I think people might say he’s unlucky, but this character hides a lot. He’s not the type of person to show off that he’s rich. He tries to protect his wounded and vulnerable side. I tried to act more like a child than in any other setting, hiding my tender heart and pretending to be an adult.”

Despite being 19 in the drama, Heo admitted portraying the school-age role had challenges:

“All I could do externally was my hair, makeup, and clothes. The idea was to keep a young mind. I’ve never even taken care of my skin.”

He also shared how much he gained from working alongside his co-stars:

“I learned a lot from watching the acting of Kim Da-mi and Shin Ye-eun. Kim Da-mi thinks a lot on set, shares ideas, and is smart. Shin Ye-eun, despite her strong image, was witty, humorous, and warmer than I thought.”

Director’s Praise

Director Kim Sang-ho explained his casting choices:

“I realized that people I thought were young at the time looked much more mature. Rather than making them look too young, I wanted to make them fit the times. The first half of the drama shows the innocence of friends in their twenties, and the second half shows them growing older. That’s why these three were cast.”

He also offered thoughtful praise for each actor:

On Kim Da-mi: “She’s a transparent actress who acts honestly and sincerely. Yeong-rye is a character that can be frustrating, but her sincerity makes her come alive.”
On Shin Ye-eun: “She acts instinctively and always pushes to do better, even when I said it was already good enough.”
On Heo Nam-joon: “His acting is stable, and he prepared well without needing much direction. He was the biggest mood maker on set, always brightening the atmosphere.”

A Drama with Timeless Emotions

For Shin Ye-eun, the series captures something beyond nostalgia:

“I didn’t live in the 80s, but sometimes I often think about going back to that time. It has its own unique scent. I hope that those who lived through that time can enjoy that scent and find healing through the drama.”

Featuring friendship, love, and personal growth, A Hundred Memories invites viewers to share the characters’ joys, frustrations, and heartbreaks. Whether reminiscing about youth in the 80s or experiencing it for the first time through the screen, the drama promises to leave audiences laughing, crying, and reflecting on the unforgettable emotions that shape us all.

PRESS CONFERENCE: Kim Da Mi, Shin Ye Eun, and Heo Nam Joon Bring 1980s Youth to Life in “A Hundred Memories”