A JTBC retro youth melodrama set in 1980s Seoul has arrived.
It follows two bus conductresses who build a quiet friendship while watching each other’s lives unfold from the top of the bus.
The chemistry of rising actors and carefully chosen vintage props creates a wistful mood.
However, viewers are divided over whether the director’s retro aesthetic sits well with modern sensibilities.
“Handwritten Letters and Payphones Carry Memory” — Revisiting A Hundred Memories
Overview
The story takes place in Seoul in 1980.
The series centers on ways people communicated before mobile phones and the internet existed.
Go Young-rye and Seo Jong-hee meet as conductresses on Bus No. 100, and their daily routines and choices slowly deepen the story.
Meanwhile, the arrival of Jae-pil, a boxer, upends the balance between friendship and romance.
The first episode aired on September 13, 2025.
Interest was high because the series was created by writer Yang Hee-seung and director Kim Sang-ho — both known for successful Korean TV shows.
Many viewers inevitably compare this new work to the creators’ previous hits.
Meanwhile, the show’s “newtro” (retro revived for modern tastes) concept raises the question of how effectively it can persuade contemporary audiences.
Background and Creative Intention
The production team set out to reinterpret retro.
The director and art department reconstruct 1980s props and color palettes using modern filmmaking language.
Go Young-rye’s dream of attending university exposes both the anxieties and hopes of young people at the time.
Seo Jong-hee’s bold attitude shows a determination to choose and defend her job within social constraints.
The creators wanted the show’s emotion to connect viewers to the era.
They emphasize that retro elements are not mere set dressing but are tied to the characters’ inner drives.
Consequently, the approach aims to give audiences more than simple nostalgia.
The image captures the actors’ expressions and period props, conveying the show’s mood.
It visualizes one facet of the series’ emotional tone.
Viewers hope that the narrative will expand from these small on-screen details.
Arguments in Favor
The show communicates feeling strongly.
First, it uses public places and period communication tools to express emotion.
Payphones and handwritten letters function not as props but as devices that create tension and anticipation between characters.
Those devices restore delicate emotional lines often lost in today’s fast communication.
Second, the characters’ arcs are finely drawn.
Go Young-rye chose the conductress job for her family, and she faces a conflict between her personal dream of college and family responsibility.
On the other hand, Seo Jong-hee’s free-spirited energy complements Young-rye and creates balance in their relationship.
Thus the personal conflicts reflect the social and familial pressures of the era.
Third, the actors deliver performances that honor the emotional beats.
Kim Dami and Shin Ye-eun reveal complex interior life through small facial gestures and speech rhythms.
Huh Nam-jun’s Jae-pil, a boxer, quietly raises questions about class and physical labor.
Therefore, occupations and choices are not mere background; they drive the story’s engine.
Fourth, the newtro mood works for many viewers.
For a large segment of the audience, objects on screen become anchors for nostalgia.
Meanwhile, the show reconstructs emotional circuits rather than offering decorative retro flourishes.
As a result, a modern reinterpretation of the 1980s can feel emotionally restorative to many viewers.
In particular, the scenes where characters exchange handwritten letters change the entire temperature of the frame.
Those moments remind today’s viewers—accustomed to speed and immediacy—of the aesthetics of slowness (the beauty of moving slowly).
Consequently, supporters argue that the series succeeds at preserving emotional texture.
Arguments Against
Opinions differ on the director’s stylistic choices.
The central criticism targets image and color treatment.
Some viewers say the visuals feel excessively retro and even tacky.
On the other hand, critics argue that color grading and camera movement focus too much on period recreation and clash with contemporary tastes.
Second, expectations play a role.
Because the creative team has a track record of hits, comparisons are inevitable.
Viewers who expected the narrative punch and humor of earlier works find this series’ pacing looser than anticipated.
Thus early disappointment is amplified by prior successes.
Third, some criticize character development.
Certain viewers feel the friendship between Young-rye and Jong-hee is sometimes overly romanticized.
On the contrary, they argue the show resolves conflicts through sentimental scenes without fully depicting real-world constraints.
From that perspective, characters’ choices can lose persuasive power.
Fourth, the retro direction can slow narrative momentum.
Slow pacing allows delicate emotional depiction but risks losing contemporary viewers’ attention.
Therefore, critics claim the balance between aesthetic choice and storytelling is unsettled.
They warn the series may feel out of step with today’s fast-paced media environment.
Comparatively, shows that use retro elements but maintain brisk editing and sharp dialogue often reach a wider audience.
Thus, unless the director adjusts tone and rhythm, some viewers may drift away.
Ultimately, critics cite technical polish and narrative persuasion as their main concerns.
Concerns and Deeper Analysis
Retro can tip into excess.
Such worries go beyond aesthetic taste.
If retro styling focuses only on surface reproduction, it risks losing the audience’s emotional connection to the period.
Especially for younger viewers, failing to explain the social context of the 1980s may leave the show as mere surface nostalgia.
Next is the issue of sustaining character arcs.
Young-rye’s college dream and Jong-hee’s independence are promising starts.
However, if subsequent episodes do not develop these conflicts, the initial emotional payoffs may feel shallow.
This is one of the series’ main risks.
Also notable is the limited reflection of broader social context.
The 1980s in Korea saw complex economic and social change.
Deeper exploration of young people’s experiences with work, family, and education would push the show beyond romanticization and toward broader social empathy.
Strengthening this element would benefit the drama.
Finally, pay attention to audience feedback online.
Reactions on streaming platforms and social media can shape the series’ trajectory.
If the production responds to viewer feedback by adjusting pace or clarifying characters’ choices, reception could shift positively.
Conversely, a defensive stance risks entrenching opposition.
Conclusion and Outlook
The main point is clear.
The series crafts a distinct charm through romantic emotion and retro aesthetics.
However, if the director’s taste does not balance with strong storytelling, mainstream growth will be limited.
Ultimately, the show’s future depends on careful adjustments by the creative team and responsiveness to audience feedback.
Three takeaways stand out.
First, the show should dig deeper into characters’ inner conflicts and the social context of the era.
Second, retro direction can restore emotional nuance but becomes alienating if overused.
Third, the actors’ strong performances are a key support, so strengthening characters’ motivations will help the series hold together.
How do you see it?
Do you think the show’s retro aesthetic enhances its storytelling, or does period recreation block modern viewers’ empathy?
Please share your thoughts in the comments.
