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| Old friends turned rivals—Yeong-rye and Jong-hui reunite at Miss Korea, where jealousy, fate and buried secrets push their friendship to breaking point. |
The 12-episode jTBC drama A Hundred Memories (백번의 추억) has officially wrapped, leaving viewers with a whole basket of feelings — part nostalgia, part heartbreak, and part quiet happiness.
Directed by Kim Sang-ho, this retro-set youth romance brings together a brilliant line-up — Kim Da-mi, Shin Ye-eun, Heo Nam-jun, Kim Jung-hyun, and more — to tell a story about growing up, chasing dreams, and learning that life’s “firsts” never really fade.
🌆 Quick Recap of A Hundred Memories Final Episode
The finale kicks off with a shock — Han Gi-bok goes missing, pushing Ko Yeong Rye and Seo Jong Hui to rush to the Han household.
Seo Jong-hui (Shin Ye-eun) happens to witness her best friend Ko Yeong-rye (Kim Da-mi) and her first love Han Jae-pil (Heo Nam-jun) confirming their feelings for each other.
She truly cares for both of them, but instead of feeling happy, jealousy quietly takes over — and that one emotion becomes the spark that completely changes their fates.
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Meanwhile, Yeong-rye gets approached by salon director Michelle (Woo Mi-hwa) with an unexpected offer — to compete in the Miss Korea pageant.
Michelle sees something special in her: a natural, effortless charm that stands out.
At first, Yeong-rye hesitates, knowing it’s a big decision, but when her mum (Lee Jung-eun) encourages her to chase her dream no matter what, she decides to go for it.
Hearing the news, Jong-hui makes a move of her own — she persuades her adoptive mother Mi-suk (Seo Jae-hee) to let her enter the same Miss Korea preliminaries.
And just like fate intended, the two friends reunite on the Seoul stage.
Yeong-rye is caught off guard seeing her, hiding her relationship with Jae-pil behind a polite smile.
Jong-hui, who’s already guessed the truth, congratulates her — but beneath her calm grin is a fire that says, this time, I’m not backing down.
Their friendly rivalry turns into something deeper, a quiet battle between affection and ambition.
Both girls make it into the finals and end up sharing a room again — but the warmth of their old friendship is gone.
Jong-hui takes charge as team leader, impressing everyone with her perfect posture and confidence, while Yeong-rye stays up late practising, trying to overcome her awkwardness and her “bad dancer” label.
Elsewhere, Jong-hui’s brother, Seo Jong-nam (Jung Jae-kwang), runs into Na Sang-sik (Park Ji-hwan) — the old Cheong A Transportation labour chief — at a job market.
They realise they’re both after the same person and decide to team up.
When Sang-sik spots Jong-hui on TV at the Miss Korea contest, he recognises that she’s being sponsored by “Chairwoman Mi-suk” and decides to use that as leverage.
Mi-suk, cold and calculating, threatens Jong-hui by revealing her dark secret — that she once had a criminal record for attempted murder — and warns her that if she doesn’t win the title, it’s over for her.
Yeong-rye accidentally witnesses this confrontation. Only moments before, she’d been enjoying a peaceful evening with Jae-pil, but now she watches her best friend’s world crumble.
The truth clicks into place — why Jong-hui disappeared, why she was so distant, why her pain ran deeper than she ever showed.
Overwhelmed, Jong-hui finally explodes, pouring out seven years of bottled-up anger and grief.
She blames Yeong-rye for everything — for stealing her love, her future, her place in life.
Yeong-rye, realising how much her friend has suffered, bursts into tears and reaches out for her hand.
On the eve of Miss Korea, both women step onto the stage, shining in their own way.
But just as it seems the night will end smoothly, Jong-hui freezes mid-performance — her eyes lock onto a man in the audience.
It’s Na Sang-sik, the man who ruined her seven years ago. His stare is cold, vengeful, and it tells her one thing: your past isn’t over yet.
Jong Hui hesitates at the gate, slipping off to a batting cage instead.
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There, Ko Yeong Sik joins her for one of those quietly honest chats: he reminds her that “a lot can happen in seven years,” a gentle nod to how time reshapes love and regret.
Back at the Han home, Yeong Rye learns the truth about Jae Pil’s family — that his father once loved another woman, forced into a loveless marriage that ended in tragedy.
Gi-bok’s disappearance turns out to be a visit to his late lover’s grave.
Jae Pil follows, finally breaking down and apologising to the father he never truly understood.
Meanwhile, Jong Hui declares herself Jae Pil’s girlfriend (kind of), showing up at the hospital with sandwiches and mixed intentions.
Yeong Rye, on the other hand, is fired from her salon job after accidentally burning a demanding customer — who just happens to be the powerful Chairwoman linked to Jong Hui’s life.
Enter Jeong Hyeon, who swoops in, offers Yeong Rye a job as his secretary, and even admits his feelings.
But she politely refuses — her heart isn’t swayed by convenience.
Later that night, she ends up sharing noodles with Jae Pil, the scene glowing with warmth that no fancy dinner could match.
By the end, Yeong Rye turns that setback into a step forward — landing a better job as a designer, with brighter prospects ahead.
On the radio, she sends a letter about her “first love,” unknowingly reaching Jae Pil, who listens quietly.
The two meet again by the sea, where he finally confesses: he doesn’t want to be “just friends” anymore.
He leans in, kisses her, and closes years of unspoken feelings in one simple, sincere gesture.
Jong Hui, however, stands on the other side of this ending — stuck in the same emotional loop, still under her guardian’s thumb, still unsure how to break free.
🎭 Cast & Characters Wrapped
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Kim Da-mi as Ko Yeong Rye – The gentle yet determined bus conductor whose courage and warmth carry the whole story.
💔 A Hundred Memories Ending Explained
At first glance, the finale seems to wrap things neatly — Jae Pil chooses Yeong Rye, friendship takes a hit, and life moves on.
But the heart of A Hundred Memories isn’t about who “gets the guy”; it’s about how people grow when time forces them apart.
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Yeong Rye’s ending isn’t just romantic — it’s symbolic.
From enduring motion sickness on buses to designing her own future, she’s proof that small dreams matter.
Her story is one of quiet victories and self-worth.
Jae Pil’s confession feels like fate coming full circle.
After years of guilt, grief, and confusion, he finally learns to choose what makes him happy — not what others expect.
Jong Hui’s fate, meanwhile, hurts precisely because it’s so real. Not everyone gets closure.
She’s a mirror of people who never quite find the right timing — stuck between what could’ve been and what still hurts.
The theme running through it all?
Fate, timing, and the memories that never age.
Every “first” — first love, first heartbreak, first job, first loss — shapes the people they become.
The ending reminds us that growing up isn’t about forgetting; it’s about remembering differently.
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⭐ TL;DR & A Hundred Memories Short Review
TL;DR: A Hundred Memories ends with Yeong Rye and Jae Pil finally getting their moment, while Jong Hui drifts into quiet loneliness. It’s emotional, a bit messy, and very human — exactly like life.
Short Review: The show nails its retro vibe without feeling old-fashioned.
It’s warm, well-acted, and deeply nostalgic.
The pacing drags in the middle (classic love triangle blues), but the payoff is heartfelt. If you loved Reply 1988 or Youth of May, this one’s right up your alley.
🤔 FAQs
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Is the ending happy or sad?
A mix of both. Yeong Rye and Jae Pil finally get together, but Jong Hui’s unresolved arc keeps the tone bittersweet.
Does friendship survive the love triangle?
Not perfectly, but realistically. Their friendship shifts into something quieter — distant but not forgotten.
Will there be a Season 2?
Possibly! The production team hinted they’re open to it if fan demand is strong enough. Whether it’s a continuation or a spiritual sequel, depends on public feedback.
What’s the main message?
That timing and fate shape everything. You can’t control how life unfolds — but you can cherish the memories that made you who you are.
💬 Final Thoughts
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A Hundred Memories ends not with fireworks, but with warmth — a slow fade-out that feels like flipping through an old photo album.
You’re left smiling, maybe tearing up a bit, and definitely thinking about your own firsts.
It’s a rare drama that celebrates the small, quiet parts of life — the bus rides, the dinners, the shared laughter — and still leaves room for what’s next.
So, if you felt something watching this finale, share it — your favourite moment, your theory, or your wish for Season 2.
Who knows? Maybe fan voices will bring A Hundred Memories back for another round.