Kim Da-mi, Reason for Choosing ‘A Hundred Times~’… “I Was Curious About the Romantic 80s”

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Actress Kim Da-Mi portrays the face of youth in the 1980s.

Kim Da-Mi is preparing for the release of the new JTBC weekend drama 'The Memories of a Hundred Times' (screenplay by Yang Hee-Seung and Kim Bo-Ram, directed by Kim Sang-Ho). On the 25th, she shared her thoughts on why she decided to join the cast and her feelings about the role.

'The Memories of a Hundred Times' is a newtro youth melodrama. It tells the story of the friendship between bus hostess Ko Young-Rye (played by Kim Da-Mi) and Seo Jong-Hee (Shin Ye-Eun) in the 1980s, as well as their first love involving the fateful man Han Jae-Pil (Heo Nam-Jun).

Kim Da-Mi revealed her reason for choosing the project. "When I read the script, I felt like each character was alive. I wanted to live in that world too," she explained. She was drawn to the period setting of the 1980s and the character of a bus hostess. Kim Da-Mi shared, "It was a time full of romance. Everyone seemed passionate about love and had dreams."

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Kim Da-Mi transforms into 'Ko Young-Rye', a top hostess on the Cheong-A Transport Bus No. 100. She wore a hostess uniform instead of a school uniform to support her family. Even though she lived with motion sickness, she boarded the bus every day. She became captivated by the character’s charm. "(Young-Rye) has a pure and clear soul. She is warm-hearted and full of love. She knows how to give everything for her friends and family. That aspect is amazing," she said.

She admitted, "I was worried about whether I could express Young-Rye's clear soul." However, she continued, "The more I read the script, the more I loved her. So I decided to take on the challenge."

Focusing on Young-Rye's emotions, she completed the character. "I put a lot of effort into maximizing the honest feelings I felt through Young-Rye and the sentiments that can only be felt in that era," she emphasized.

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She also paid great attention to styling. She researched popular hairstyles from that time and chose the bob cut to capture the essence of the era, increasing her visual synchronicity with the youthful image. Kim Da-Mi reminisced, "Just experiencing that era was wonderful. While immersing myself in this work, I realized how tough a job it was. The bus hostesses from that time are truly admirable."

The story centers around first love. She added, "(The emotions in the story) are so pure and heart-wrenching. I think I've learned a lot about the value of love through Young-Rye."

'The Memories of a Hundred Times' is a collaboration between writer Yang Hee-Seung and director Kim Sang-Ho. Yang has previously written 'Crash Course in Romance', 'Knowing Wife', 'Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo', and 'Oh My Ghost'. Director Kim Sang-Ho is known for directing 'Thirty, Nine'.

'The Memories of a Hundred Times' is scheduled as a follow-up to 'Esquire: Lawyers Who Dream of Being Lawyers'. The first broadcast is on the 13th of next month at 10:40 PM.

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