Kim Da-mi and Shin Ye-eun's Love Triangle Intensifies in 'A Hundred Memories'

Kim Da-mi and Shin Ye-eun finally confessed their true feelings about their 'first love', Heo Nam-jun. Unlike seven years ago, they have decided not to yield to each other, causing a rift in their friendship. The show's ratings recorded 5.5% nationwide and 5.6% in the metropolitan area, according to Nielsen Korea, based on paid households. Although it hit its highest rating of 5.8% on the 5th, it slightly declined as it approaches the finale.

In the 9th episode of JTBC's weekend drama 'A Hundred Memories' (written by Yang Hee-seung & Kim Bo-ram, directed by Kim Sang-ho, produced by SLL), which aired on the 11th, Go Young-rae (Kim Da-mi), Seo Jong-hee (Shin Ye-eun), and Han Jae-pil (Heo Nam-jun) reunited at a hospital. As emotions built up over time intersected, an awkward atmosphere prevailed. Jong-hee was admitted to a VIP room after Mi-sook (Seo Jae-hee), the chairman of Daeyang Group, rushed in upon hearing about her foster daughter's injury. Young-rae explained her encounter with Jong-hee at the salon to Jae-pil, who seemed unbothered, but Young-rae was conflicted about whether their reunion was fate or coincidence.

Jae-pil brought a special memory of theirs, a packed pork cutlet, to Jong-hee, who barely ate hospital food. At Jong-hee's request to stay with her while she ate, they spent time together. Despite the initial awkward silence, Jong-hee's familiar way of biting into the pork cutlet brought them back to the past. Jong-hee then sneaked out of the hospital with Jae-pil to meet Young-rae. The three friends enjoyed street food, strolled around, and laughed, as if they had returned to their past.

Jong-hee's happiness from reuniting with her warm past connections was short-lived. Mi-sook received reports about Jong-hee's suspicious activities and accused her of mingling with lowly people in a backward market. Jong-hee, feeling suffocated by Mi-sook's obsessive love, which felt like she was treating her as a deceased daughter, finally exploded. The precious people she found again filled her loneliness. Jong-hee's honest outburst also agitated Mi-sook, and in anger, she threw a rose, injuring Jong-hee's face.

Jong-hee ran out of the house and wandered the rainy streets, stopping in front of Jae-pil. She cried in his arms, reminiscent of the miserable day seven years ago. Young-rae, after finishing Han Ki-bok's (Yoon Je-moon) haircut, saw Jae-pil applying ointment to Jong-hee's face in the hospital lounge and felt uneasy. Meanwhile, Jong-hee found hope. She confided in Jae-pil about her unhappy life despite living in a wealthy family and her hidden envy towards Young-rae. Jae-pil comforted her, saying, "Everyone has their own sparkle. I hope you find yours." Encouraged by his words, Jong-hee could no longer hide her feelings for Jae-pil.

Jong-hee met Young-rae, wearing jeans and sneakers gifted by Jae-pil, instead of her princess-like shoes and dress. They visited their school, filled with memories of laughter. Jong-hee revealed that she endured tough times by reminiscing about her good times with Young-rae and that she started remembering the past she had been avoiding. Among those memories was her first love, Jae-pil. Jong-hee asked Young-rae, "I want to try again. Will you help me?"

After a moment of silence, Young-rae also confessed for the first time, "Jae-pil was my first love too." She emphasized that she no longer wanted to hide her feelings and wanted to protect them, stating she couldn't help Jong-hee. As Jong-hee mentioned, what mattered now was Jae-pil's feelings. The two friends, who were more precious than anyone, had to be honest with each other. On the day they first faced their long-delayed emotions, they wavered between love and friendship, creating a tense atmosphere.

Another storm was brewing. The labor manager (Park Ji-hwan), who had once turned Young-rae and Jong-hee's lives upside down, reappeared. After being injured by Jong-hee and losing the use of one arm, he struggled to survive with manual labor at construction sites. He glared at Jong-hee's photo among the old Cheong-a Transport guides, filled with anger and a desire for revenge. His face, twisted by poverty and despair, cast an ominous shadow over Young-rae and Jong-hee's future.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr