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