Episodes seven and eight of “A Hundred Memories” mark a clear shift in tone and character depth, following the significant time jump revealed at the end of episode six. Several years have passed, and the lives of the characters have changed in surprising ways, some for the better, others for the worse.
The passage of time has allowed for emotional growth, new relationships, and unexpected transformations that redefine how they see themselves and one another. From Jae Pil (Heo Nam Jun) and Young Rye (Kim Da Mi) becoming more than friends, to Man Ok (Kim Ji Hyun) stepping up for her husband Gi Bok (Yoon Je Moon), and Sang Cheol (Lee Won Jung) falling madly in love with Jeong Bun (Park Ye Ni), here are four ways the main characters evolved in the most recent episodes of “A Hundred Memories.”
Warning: spoilers ahead!
Jae Pil and Young Rye feel like more than just friends
Episodes seven and eight of “A Hundred Memories” reveal just how much Jae Pil and Young Rye’s relationship has evolved since the time skip at the end of episode six. What was once a one-sided crush has transformed into something deeper and far more complicated.
Before the jump, Young Rye was the one in love, quietly nursing her feelings while Jae Pil pursued Jong Hee. But after confessing her first love and moving on, Young Rye’s focus shifted; her bond with Jae Pil is now rooted more in friendship and trust than romantic longing.
From Jae Pil’s perspective, however, time has blurred that line. Years of companionship have made him see Young Rye differently, even if he refuses to admit it. His jealousy becomes apparent when a coworker asks him about taking Young Rye on a date and again when Jeong Hyeon (Kim Jung Hyun) returns to Korea, showing interest in Young Rye.
It is clear that their dynamic now feels reversed, full of unspoken tension and subtle affection.
Jae Pil’s stepmother stepped up to support his father
They say true love reveals itself not in moments of ease but in times of hardship, and Jae Pil’s stepmother Man Ok proved exactly that in the recent episodes.
Since the beginning of “A Hundred Memories,” Man Ok has been portrayed as aloof yet warmhearted, someone who means well but isn’t always understood by her husband, Gi Bok. However, when Gi Bok’s business collapses and a stroke leaves him bedridden, Man Ok shows remarkable strength.
She begins working as a door-to-door saleswoman to keep their household running. Though she’s not the best at it, her determination and quiet devotion speak volumes.
Man Ok may still be quirky, but she has undeniably stepped out of her shell, showing that love truly endures through difficulty.
Jong Hee’s life changed dramatically
Of all the characters, Jong Hee’s life seems to have changed the most dramatically, both for better and for worse.
Becoming the adopted daughter of a wealthy chairwoman appears to have given her everything she once lacked: comfort, status, and stability. Yet beneath the surface, her new life feels unsettling.
The chairwoman’s affection seems less like genuine love and more like an attempt to replace the daughter she lost. By asking Jong Hee to hide her past and cut ties with those who were once close to her, she treats her less as family and more as a stand-in.
It’s heartbreaking to watch as Jong Hee risks losing her identity in exchange for security. Her quiet realization, “I am standing in for your daughter,” says it all.
Still, she endures, seeking the peaceful, easy life she’s never known, even if it means living as someone else.
Sang Cheol matured
Among the characters, Sang Cheol’s transformation stands out as one of the most positive and heartwarming.
In earlier episodes, his reaction to discovering that Young Rye and Jong Hee worked as bus conductors revealed his youthful immaturity.
While Jae Pil was reassuring Jong Hee that her job didn’t matter, Sang Cheol hesitated, worrying whether his parents would ever accept such a match, especially since he was their only son.
Fast forward to the present, and that same man has grown remarkably. Now, Sang Cheol pursues Jeong Bun, a single woman who has never married and is older than him, with sincerity and care.
Whether it’s time, experience, or genuine love that’s changed him, it’s clear that he’s no longer ruled by others’ expectations. His affection for Jeong Bun and the tenderness he shows toward her child highlight how deeply he has matured, proving that love can truly bring out a person’s best self.
As much as episodes seven and eight beautifully capture how time has reshaped each character, the one story that feels incomplete is Jae Pil and Young Rye’s. Their bond now carries the weight of years spent together, but viewers are left to imagine how those years unfolded. It would have been wonderful to see their connection deepen gradually, the quiet moments, shared laughter, and emotional shifts that turned friendship into something deeper. Showing their journey would have made their relationship feel even more earned and heartfelt, adding emotional richness to the already thoughtful evolution of “A Hundred Memories.”
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Javeria is a binge-watching specialist who loves devouring entire K-dramas in one sitting. Good screenwriting, beautiful cinematography, and a lack of clichés are the way to her heart. As a music fanatic, she listens to multiple artists across different genres and stans the self-producing idol group SEVENTEEN. You can talk to her on Instagram @javeriayousufs.
Currently watching: “A Hundred Memories”
