A Hundred Memories: An Emotional Finale That Divided Viewers

A Hundred Memories ends with a bittersweet finale.
The JTBC drama explores friendship, love, and sacrifice.
Its ending divides viewers but leaves a lasting impact.

JTBC’s A Hundred Memories (백번의 추억), also known as Memories of No.100, wrapped up its 12-episode run on October 19, 2025, after weeks of nostalgia, heartbreak, and deeply human storytelling. Directed by Kim Sang Ho and written by Yang Hee Seung, the newtro melodrama set in 1980s Korea follows two bus attendants, Go Young Rye (Kim Da Mi) and Seo Jong Hee (Shin Ye Eun), as they chase dreams, confront past wounds, and experience their first loves. The series resonated strongly with audiences, ending with an impressive 8.1% viewership rating (Nielsen Korea) and an 88% user score on AsianWiki, while earning 8.0/10 on IMDb from nearly 500 reviews. Added to the watchlists of over 1,100 users, the drama sparked widespread discussion well beyond its final broadcast.

However, the popularity of A Hundred Memories came with significant controversy. While the first nine episodes were widely praised for their heartfelt tone and warm portrayal of friendship and youth, the last two episodes sharply shifted into darker melodrama territory, sparking intense debate among viewers. Despite the tonal shift, the finale left a lasting impression with its powerful messages about memory, sacrifice, and the enduring strength of friendship.

A Finale of Pain, Hope, and First Love

The final episode delivered its emotional peak during the 1989 Miss Korea pageant, where Young Rye and Jong Hee reunited as finalists. During the Q&A, they reflected on memory and time: Jong Hee described memories as “a bus that has already departed,” while Young Rye expressed a wish to return to the past, embrace her friend tightly, and wait patiently for the bus to circle back.

The mood turned intense when Noh Sang Sik (Park Ji Hwan) infiltrated the venue disguised as a security guard. In a shocking moment, Young Rye was stabbed while trying to protect Jong Hee and fell into a coma. Han Jae Pil (Heo Nam Joon), ever devoted, stayed by her side and played her favorite song, which eventually helped her regain consciousness. It was one of the series’ most touching moments, portraying a love that transcends words.

After recovering and enrolling in university, Young Rye attended the wedding of Ma Sang Cheol and Choi Jeong Bun with Jae Pil. There, he gave her a necklace and promised, “Let’s get married after I graduate and become a specialist.” Their kiss marked a new chapter in their long-delayed love story. The drama closed with Young Rye, Jong Hee, and Jae Pil walking along the Incheon coastline, accompanied by Young Rye’s final monologue: “We will always be together. So maybe, our story isn’t really over.”

“Han Jae Pil loves her so much, and it’s so sad and beautiful. He left the cassette tape for her to listen to so that he can be by her side in her head.”

“Junghyun protected her till the very end, truly a Daddy Long Legs. Though he didn’t get a happy ending, I’m glad he chose to go abroad.”

Viewers and Cast Respond: Between Criticism and Praise

Although the finale was deeply emotional and symbolically rich, audience reactions across platforms were sharply divided. Many praised the show’s message of love, sacrifice, and memory, but others felt that the final two episodes undermined the strong foundation built earlier. The shift from a heartfelt, character-driven narrative to one filled with violence and rushed resolutions left some viewers frustrated, sparking heated conversations about the writers’ creative choices.

“STOP ADDING CRIME/MURDER TO ROMCOMS. MISSION FAILED.”

“This doesn’t make sense. There’s no build up to this plot twist. This wasn’t a love triangle romcom?”

“Wow, the whole misunderstanding was solved just like that? So non creative. And they guilt tripped Jong Hee for no reason.”

On Reddit, fans argued that the series was strong enough without the added criminal plotlines. Some even suggested that episodes 11 and 12 felt like they belonged to a completely different show.

“Ep 11 & 12 would have been fine closing episodes for a different drama. The stabbing and the coma tidied up and erased everyone’s emotional damage neatly for a happily ever after.”

Actor Heo Nam Joon, who played Han Jae Pil, addressed the backlash directly in a candid interview. He admitted that he was surprised by the negative reaction to the love story, especially after episode 10. 

“I didn’t expect the audience to respond so negatively, and I didn’t realize the story would be received in such an unexpected way,” he said. 

He explained that his goal was to portray Jae Pil and Young Rye’s relationship as something undefined, neither quite friendship nor romance, until he realized that “this is what true love is.” He also clarified that Jae Pil never harbored ambiguous feelings toward Jong Hee, despite their frequent interactions.

Responding to criticism of his romantic acting, Heo said, 

“It’s natural because people’s tastes differ. Romantic acting is difficult because it requires delicate emotional expression, and I worked hard to stay in sync with my co star in that aspect.” 

He emphasized Jae Pil’s growth as a character, shaped by Young Rye’s presence, as one of the story’s most important elements.

Despite the criticism, the drama’s greatest strength remained the bond between Go Young Rye and Seo Jong Hee. Their connection, built on acceptance, support, and sacrifice, formed the emotional heart of the series and deeply resonated with viewers. Shin Ye Eun revealed that working with Kim Da Mi profoundly changed her understanding of friendship.

“When I looked into her eyes, I felt she was truly Young Rye. We could understand each other without words,” she shared. 

She added that Young Rye might be “the first and last happiness” in Jong Hee’s life, underscoring the depth of their bond.

“I used to think love was a bigger emotion than friendship. But now I realize how powerful friendship is. Maybe Young Rye is Jong Hee’s first and last happiness.”

Ultimately, A Hundred Memories delivered a poignant message: memory, pain, and human connection are inseparable parts of life. While the tonal shift in its final episodes divided audiences, the drama left a profound mark with its portrayal of friendship as a force of healing. For some, its bittersweet ending was a form of beauty. For others, it was a reminder that not all memories must be perfect to be meaningful.

“In my mind this means they ended up together.”

“Jong Hee got the Miss Korea title and gave the scholarship to Young Rye. They’re always rooting for each other’s happiness and dreams.”

Source: AsianWiki, IMDb, JTBC, Nielsen Korea, Sports Chosun, Sports Kyunghyang, MyDaily, Star Today, Maeil Kyungjae, Reddit r/KDRAMA