‘A Hundred Memories’ revealed four rules of life for bus guides, Kim Da-mi and Shin Ye-eun, that offer a preview of the lives of youth in the 1980s.
The new JTBC weekend drama ‘A Hundred Memories’ (written by Yang Hee-seung and Kim Bo-ram, directed by Kim Sang-ho), which premieres on September 13, depicts the shining friendship of bus guides Young-rae and Jong-hee in the 1980s, and their poignant first love surrounding their fateful man, Jae-pil, in a new-tro youth melodrama.
As the now-extinct profession of ‘bus guide’ is expected to evoke nostalgia for that era, ‘A Hundred Memories’ has unveiled the company rules of Cheong-A Transportation, where Young-rae (Kim Da-mi) and Jong-hee (Shin Ye-eun) work. Although their lives are vastly different from today, the rules reflect the determination of youth to live diligently without wasting time.
At Cheong-A Transportation, morning exercises signal the start of the day. The ‘National Exercise’ that resonates through the bus depot symbolizes the vitality of youth, and the sight of the guides reluctantly moving their bodies at 5 AM evokes a sense of cuteness. Above all, this familiar routine brings back memories of childhood when one might have followed along in the playground, naturally recalling the nostalgia of that time.
The most important principle of Cheong-A Transportation is ‘Always collect fares.’ Once this principle is ingrained in their minds, the character who acts on it immediately is Go Young-rae. If there is a passenger who tries to evade paying the fare, she will chase them to the ends of the earth to collect it. Despite enduring motion sickness and going up and down the bus all day, her tenacity in collecting fares reflects the desperation of 1980s youth who bear the responsibility of their family's livelihood.
The third rule is that advances and work schedule adjustments are not allowed. The labor manager (Park Ji-hwan), who reigns as the highest authority at Cheong-A Transportation, embodies this principle. He is unilateral and principled, far removed from the concept of compassion. The company's profits and the manager's position always take precedence, truly reigning as the ‘top of the top’ without allowing any consideration for the guides' circumstances.
Lastly, there is a rule that applies only to the guides living in dormitory room 3, including Young-rae and Jong-hee, as well as Kwon Hae-ja (Lee Min-ji), Choi Jeong-bun (Park Ye-ni), Cha Ok-hee (Oh Woo-ri), and Lim Ho-sook (Jung Bo-min). Just as one must follow the laws of Rome when in Rome, in the Cheong-A dormitory, they must adhere to the words of the dorm leader Hae-ja. When she is on a diet, a ban on eating in the room is enforced, and all activities such as laying out blankets, laundry, and cleaning are dictated by her orders.
In short, if you fall out of favor with Hae-ja, life in this room will not be easy. However, Jong-hee does not easily yield to Hae-ja's authority due to her rebellious nature, and the tension between the two adds to the heated atmosphere of the dormitory. The episodes that unfold in room 3 are expected to evoke both laughter and empathy, serving as another point of interest in the drama.
‘A Hundred Memories’ is a collaboration between hit-maker writer Yang Hee-seung and director Kim Sang-ho. It will premiere on September 13 at 10:40 PM on JTBC, following ‘Esquire: Lawyers Who Dream of Being Lawyers’.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
