Kim da-mi leans into retro romance with 'A Hundred Memories'

Setting the scene

Kim Da-mi is stepping into the face of 1980s youth, aligning with the upcoming weekend series 'A Hundred Memories' that spotlights friendship, first love, and the era's spirited energy. The drama frames bus conductors Go Young-rye (Kim Da-mi) and Seo Jong-hee (Shin Ye-eun) as they navigate destiny and romance with Han Jae-pil (Heo Nam-joon), embracing a newtro melodrama lens.

Why this role resonated

Kim explained that each character felt vividly alive on the page, drawing a desire to live within that world and anchor its emotional truth through Young-rye. The 1980s backdrop and the bus conductor setting appealed to her, evoking a romantic era defined by passion and dreams that shaped the cast's motivations.

Building a character

Transforming into Cheonga Transport's exemplary No. 100 bus conductor, Kim portrays Young-rye, who trades a school uniform for work attire to support her family and boards daily despite chronic motion sickness. She described Young-rye as pure and warm-hearted-someone who gives everything for friends and family-while admitting early concern about conveying such innocence before growing to love the character more deeply.

Crafting the look and feel

To heighten authenticity, Kim studied period hairstyles and chose a classic bowl cut, amplifying the drama's nostalgic tone and syncing with her youthful image. After immersing in the role, she reflected that even a vicarious experience revealed how demanding the job was, expressing respect for the conductors of that time.

Creative forces and premiere plan

The project unites writer Yang Hee-seung-whose credits include 'Crash Course in Romance,' 'Familiar Wife,' 'Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo,' and 'Oh My Ghost'-with director Kim Sang-ho of 'Thirty-Nine.' Slated as the successor to 'Esquire: Lawyers Who Dream of Becoming Lawyers,' the series will premiere on September 13 at 10:40 p.m. KST