In 'A Hundred Memories', Kim Da-mi and Shin Ye-eun face an inevitable fateful showdown amidst the cracks of their once-bright friendship.
In the 11th episode of JTBC's weekend drama 'A Hundred Memories' (written by Yang Hee-seung and Kim Bo-ram, directed by Kim Sang-ho, produced by SLL), Seo Jong-hee (played by Shin Ye-eun) witnesses the moment when her best friend Ko Young-rae (played by Kim Da-mi) and her first love Han Jae-pil (played by Heo Nam-jun) confirm their love. Jong-hee, who cherished and cared for both of them more than anyone else, felt a painful jealousy that made it impossible for her to share in their joy.
Meanwhile, Young-rae receives a proposal to participate in the Miss Korea pageant from Director Michelle (played by Woo Mi-hwa). The natural and fresh beauty of Young-rae, which has produced countless Miss Koreas over the past 20 years, caught the director's attention. Hesitant about the scholarship she would receive if she became a finalist, Young-rae solidified her decision with her mother’s (played by Lee Jeong-eun) encouragement.
Having repeatedly told her daughter not to pursue such dreams, Young-rae's mother, who had those words stuck in her heart, decided to fully support her this time. Meanwhile, Jong-hee, who learned about Young-rae's news through Ko Young-sik (played by Jeon Seong-woo), also resolved to enter the Miss Korea pageant for her long-held dream and persuaded her foster mother, Mi-sook (played by Seo Jae-hee).
Young-rae and Jong-hee unexpectedly met at the registration site for the Seoul regional qualifiers after a long time. Young-rae was surprised by her friend's unexpected appearance and felt guilty for not being able to tell her that she was dating Jae-pil. However, Jong-hee seemed to have already sensed it, congratulating her with a smile. She also understood that Young-rae's reason for participating was her dream of going to college. Yet, while they both agreed to play fair, Jong-hee's eyes held a determination to surpass Young-rae, stating, "This time, it won't be easy at all."
Having both advanced to the finals as candidates from Seoul and entered training camp, Young-rae and Jong-hee were assigned to the same room once again, as if by fate. However, unlike their days in Room 3 of the Cheong-A Transportation dormitory, a subtle and invisible tension mixed between the two. Jong-hee, who actively volunteered to be the class president aiming for friendship points, garnered attention with her perfect mastery of choreography and attitude, while Young-rae practiced late into the night to overcome her complex of being clumsy.
While the two friends prepared fiercely for the competition, as if by a twist of fate, Jong-hee's older brother Seo Jong-nam (played by Jung Jae-gwang) met Noh Sang-sik (played by Park Ji-hwan), the labor manager of Cheong-A Transportation, at a temporary labor market. They discovered that they were both chasing the same person. Having seen Jong-hee on the news about the Miss Korea pageant, they instinctively sensed that she had a strong 'backing' and eventually sought out her mother, Mi-sook.
However, Mi-sook did not succumb to Sang-sik's threats to expose Jong-hee's past as an attempted murderer, instead expressing her anger at her foster daughter's unbearable dark past. She slapped Jong-hee and pressured her to become a finalist by any means necessary.
Young-rae witnessed this worst moment. Earlier, Jong-hee had seen Young-rae and Jae-pil enjoying a sweet and happy time in front of the training camp, and the stark contrast to her own life filled her with humiliation and shame. Moreover, when Young-rae questioned why Jong-hee was acting so cowardly, she finally burst out with emotions that had been suppressed for seven years.
The reasons for having to leave the happiest time at Cheong-A Transportation and for having to say goodbye to Jae-pil, whom she liked while saying things she didn't mean, all pierced Young-rae's heart. Jealousy, resentment, and loneliness exploded all at once, causing Jong-hee to finally collapse in tears. Young-rae, realizing Jong-hee's sacrifices, was also overwhelmed with guilt and sadness.
After a stormy night, on the eve of the Miss Korea pageant, Young-rae and Jong-hee took to the unavoidable competitive stage, each doing their best. Just when it seemed they would finish safely, Jong-hee's gaze froze in the middle of the audience as she exited. There sat Sang-sik, who held the key to her past from seven years ago.
With a gaze that seemed to pierce through her like a grim reaper, Jong-hee froze in place. It raises curiosity about what fate this crisis will lead Young-rae and Jong-hee to.
'A Hundred Memories' airs today (19th) at 10:30 PM on JTBC.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
