Episode 1 of *A Hundred Memories* opens with an introduction to Go Yeong-rye, a bus attendant who is a bit of a klutz and prone to motion sickness. Yet, her spirit is unquenchable—bubbly, ambitious, and brimming with grand dreams for the future.
Yeong-rye is employed by Cheong A Transportation, where she quickly finds herself captivated by Seo Jong-hui. Jong-hui is bold, self-assured, and carries an air of brashness that borders on the obnoxious. She arrives at the office with a determination to work, though Mr. No initially hesitates, given her lack of formal qualifications. However, her commanding voice and formidable presence are enough to sway him.
Jong-hui is then introduced to her fellow dorm-mates. Among them, Kwon Hae-ja reigns supreme, wielding her authority with an iron fist. The clash between Jong-hui and Hae-ja is immediate and intense. Hae-ja claims to share Jong-hui's age, though in reality, she is the same age as Yeong-rye.
Meanwhile, Yeong-rye is dedicating her spare time to learning formal English, driven by her aspiration to attend college. Jong-hui is impressed by her fervor and even more so when she finds herself being trained by Yeong-rye the very next day.
Yeong-rye proves to be a natural at her job. She can swiftly count cash, detect counterfeit tickets, and confronts wrongdoers with unwavering resolve. A prime example of her tenacity unfolds when a student attempts to deceive her. Unyielding, Yeong-rye chases him down a narrow alleyway.
Amidst these events, we catch a glimpse of Han Jae-Pil. He is a disciplined and quiet individual, harboring a quiet determination. Jae-Pil is an accomplished boxer, using the sport as an outlet for his frustrations, a means to escape the oppressive atmosphere of his household. His father, Gok-bi, is a domineering figure who pushes him relentlessly to excel academically. Despite possessing an IQ of 140, Jae-Pil's grades are lacking, and he has even been held back a year. It's unclear whether his underperformance is a deliberate act of rebellion, a way to get under his father's skin.
No matter what, Jae-pil refuses to live under the suffocating control of his father. His dad, the Chairman of the School Committee, clearly intends to achieve success through Jae-pil's accomplishments. The only ray of sunshine in the house emanates from Jae-pil's sister, Se-ri. The siblings share a wonderful rapport, and her presence keeps Jae-pil from descending into complete madness.
One morning, as Jae-pil sets out, he finds himself in an alleyway where he encounters Yeong-rye. He shields her from being struck with a wooden plank and offers her his Giants hand-towel (Giants being the name of the gym he frequents) to tend to her bleeding hand. Yeong-rye is instantly smitten with him.
That same night, Hae-ja singles out Jong-hui, the newcomer, and coerces her into picking up a hefty food order. Yeong-rye accompanies Jong-hui and lends a hand, but unbeknownst to them, the order is laced with something harmful, causing severe stomach distress for everyone who partakes—except Jong-hui and Yeong-rye, who abstain from eating.
The next morning, they're both ready to face the day. With a reduced staff, the group has no choice but to enlist the help of the male members. Hae-ja is furious and immediately points the finger at Jong-hui, who vehemently denies any involvement.
Amidst this chaos, the narrative shifts back to Jae-pil. He's thrust into the spotlight as a last-minute substitute in the ring for a major boxing tournament, much to Deok-goo's dismay. Jae-pil carries a heavy burden of past demons, including childhood abuse, and he channels this pain into a fierce determination to emerge victorious from the fight.
The tournament garners significant attention and makes headlines, much to Gi-bok's astonishment. Upon Jae-pil's return home, Gi-bok berates him, but Jae-pil is quick to retort, reminding his father that he's projecting his own desires. College isn't Jae-pil's dream; it's his father's. Unfortunately, Jae-pil faces a brutal punishment for his defiance, enduring relentless lashes across the back of his legs.
Back at Cheon A Transportation, Yeong-rye makes a startling discovery: Jong-hui is not the one responsible for the spiked food after all. The true culprit turns out to be another girl named Sook-ja. In a courageous act, Yeong-rye sacrifices herself to prove Sook-ja's guilt, and eventually, Suk-ja breaks down and confesses. She admits that her motive was simply to make others feel the same pain she endured as a poor worker.
Outside, Jong-hui has a candid conversation with Hae-ja, urging her to stop coercing the girls into giving her massages. However, she decides not to follow through on her earlier threat to force Hae-ja to quit.
On the rooftop, Yeong-rye's stomach finally settles enough for her to engage in a heartfelt talk with Jong-hui. Yeong-rye confesses her aspiration to attend college and study Korean Literature, with dreams of becoming a teacher or a professor. Yet, she faces the daunting challenge of supporting her struggling family while pursuing her ambitions.
Jong-hui, on the other hand, reveals her desire to become an actor. The two girls open up to each other, their shared feelings forging a deeper bond and solidifying their friendship. From then on, they spend countless hours together, hanging out on their days off and exchanging high-fives after every successful bus ride.
Meanwhile, Jae-pil finds himself under a strict curfew, facing not only his father's wrath but also the animosity of Deok-goo. Deok-goo, resentful that Jae-pil took his place and stole the spotlight, blames him for his own inability to compete. When Jae-pil violates his curfew, a fight inevitably erupts between them, only to be cut short by the arrival of the police, who chase them away.
Seeking refuge, Jae-pil dashes into a cinema, where he unexpectedly encounters both Yeong-rye and Jong-hui. In a panic, he clamps his hand over both of their mouths to silence them.
