After six weeks of pleasure and heartache, “A Hundred Memories” wrapped up with a well-deserved pleased ending for each character. Whereas there have been moments that left viewers pissed off or wishing the story had taken a unique flip, the finale delivered a deeply satisfying conclusion. From Younger Rye (Kim Da Mi) and Jong Hee’s (Shin Ye Eun) friendship surviving the turbulence of competitors to each feminine leads lastly reaching their goals, listed here are three issues we liked in regards to the finale.
Warning: spoilers forward!
Jong Hee turns into Miss Korea
Changing into Miss Korea has been Jong Hee’s dream because the very starting of “A Hundred Recollections,” even earlier than the opening credit began rolling for the premiere episode. Ever since she was a toddler, she has longed to grow to be Miss Korea Jin (the winner). Her dream stems from a lifetime spent with out love; she has all the time wished to grow to be somebody cherished by the nation, somebody who lastly receives the love she has been denied.
Nevertheless, that dream begins to really feel out of attain when her adoptive mom refuses to let her take part within the pageant. After a lot pleading, Jong Hee lastly positive aspects permission to use. Nonetheless, viewers had been uncertain whether or not she would win the title for 3 predominant causes.
First, Younger Rye had already received the Miss Seoul Jin title, whereas Jong Hee positioned as the primary runner-up. Second, in current episodes, Younger Rye’s life gave the impression to be turning round. She discovered the love of her life and earned a spot within the pageant. Lastly, she wanted the prize cash to fund her training, a dream she had held because the starting of the drama. Contemplating all this, alongside together with her place as the feminine lead, it appeared solely pure that Younger Rye would possibly find yourself successful Miss Korea Jin.
Fortunately, that’s not what occurs.
From the beginning of the competitors, Jong Hee is proven as passionate and decided, placing in each effort to earn bonus factors and obtain the Jin title. Whereas Younger Rye additionally works tirelessly, generally tougher than every other contestant, this victory feels just like the one factor Jong Hee actually deserves, a second that makes each hardship she has endured worthwhile.
Younger Rye will get into school
To some viewers, Younger Rye’s resolution to hitch the pageant and later the Miss Korea competitors initially got here throughout as egocentric. However as she clarifies within the closing episodes, she didn’t know Jong Hee would even be taking part. If she had identified, she would have withdrawn. Her solely cause for getting into was to fund her training and assist her household financially.
Whereas this alternative could have appeared like a sudden artistic twist from the writers that modified Younger Rye’s character, a more in-depth look reveals consistency. Her motivations stay rooted in accountability and sacrifice, the identical values which have outlined her from the very starting.
Regardless of her laborious work and dedication, Younger Rye’s lack of pageant expertise places her at an obstacle. She finishes as the primary runner-up, not fairly a loss, however nonetheless in need of successful the prize cash she wants. In a touching flip of occasions, Jong Hee chooses to provide her prize cash to Younger Rye, serving to her understand her dream of going to school.
Their friendship turns into stronger than ever
At its coronary heart, “A Hundred Recollections” is a narrative about feminine friendship and the struggles two younger girls face whereas chasing their goals within the Nineteen Eighties.
For Younger Rye, life has all the time been outlined by responsibility. Because the eldest daughter, she can not absolutely take pleasure in her youth. She takes crash programs “simply in case,” holds again her feelings, and continually places her household’s wants earlier than her personal. Jong Hee’s life, in distinction, has been marked by loneliness and instability. With no mother and father and an abusive brother, she has spent her life operating from place to position, trying to find love and security, solely to lose all of it whereas making an attempt to guard her greatest good friend.
Even after they reunite years later, their struggles proceed in new types. Younger Rye retains suspending her goals for her household’s sake, whereas Jong Hee, adopted by a rich girl, finds herself handled like a doll in her adoptive mom’s mother-daughter fantasy quite than being liked sincerely.
Their shared ambitions, competing for a similar title (Miss Korea) and even the identical man, Jae Pil (Heo Nam Jun), may simply have torn them aside. In one of many closing episodes, when Jong Hee breaks down after being slapped by her adoptive mom and lashes out at Younger Rye, it looks like their friendship would possibly finish for good. However Younger Rye proves in any other case. She saves Jong Hee’s life, not out of guilt or obligation, however just because that’s who she is. Her love and loyalty towards Jong Hee stay unwavering.
Likewise, Jong Hee comes to grasp that Jae Pil’s coronary heart belongs solely to Younger Rye. Though he could have liked her as soon as, that second has handed, and he or she learns to let go gracefully.
Ultimately, regardless of all of the ache, misunderstandings, and hardships, their friendship endures, and that’s maybe essentially the most lovely message of “A Hundred Recollections.”
Ultimately, “A Hundred Recollections” gave each character an ending that felt becoming and true to their journeys. Whereas there have been moments that might have been dealt with in another way, as an illustration, constructing extra chemistry between Jae Pil and Younger Rye from the begin to make their pairing really feel much less sudden, or having Jong Hee take extra accountability as an alternative of blaming her greatest good friend for her personal selections, these imperfections finally made the characters really feel frustratingly human.
Even with its flaws, “A Hundred Recollections” managed to shine in its personal quiet, heartfelt manner, very similar to Younger Rye and Jong Hee’s shabby but glowing youth.
Catch the ultimate episodes of “A Hundred Recollections”:
Javeria is a binge-watching specialist who loves devouring total Ok-dramas in a single sitting. Good screenwriting, lovely cinematography, and an absence of clichés are the best way to her coronary heart. As a music fanatic, she listens to a number of artists throughout completely different genres and stans the self-producing idol group SEVENTEEN. You possibly can speak to her on Instagram @javeriayousufs.
