A Hundred Memories Episode 4 Recap: Rejection, A Confession, And A Twist Of Fate

A Hundred Memories Episode 4, aired on September 21, and the story took another dramatic turn. The episode showed how one rejection can ripple through different lives, leaving behind guilt, longing, and heartbreak.

Han Jae-pil, played by Heo Nam-joon, is falling deeper for Seo Jong-hee, played by Shin Ye-eun. But his affection hits a wall. His note, passed through Go Young-rye (Kim Da-mi), carries his true feelings.

Yet, Jong-hee rejects him with cold honesty. She says she is not interested in dating and throws the note away. Her words leave Young-rye feeling guilty, but also strangely relieved.

Jae-pil does not know the truth at first. He waits, frustrated, expecting some kind of reply. When Young-rye finally tells him that Jong-hee does not want to meet anyone, his disappointment grows heavier.

Watching this unfold, Ma Sang-cheol (Lee Won-jung) teases Jae-pil, asking if his feelings began at the roller rink or if it was love at first sight. His mockery adds another sting to Jae-pil’s already bruised heart.

Meanwhile, Young-rye herself struggles. She admits to Jeong-hyeon (Kim Jeong-hyeon), her brother’s friend, that she feels hated. Jeong-hyeon comforts her, saying happiness is something each person must chase for themselves.

His words give her a small push. She rushes off to see Jae-pil, only to arrive too late once again. Timing is never on her side.

A Painful Love Triangle Emerges

At school, Jae-pil manages to meet Jong-hee at the Vivaldi music café. Nervous and clumsy, he blurts out that it is his birthday, just to keep her there. He asks her to share a meal.

Over dinner, he relaxes for once. He even laughs when Jong-hee bites into pork cutlet with a fork instead of cutting it. For someone usually tense, the smile feels rare and genuine.

But honesty catches up with him. He admits it is not his birthday, and he is the son of a department store owner. More importantly, he confesses that he simply wants to see her.

He asks her to meet him again. For Jong-hee, the moment is complicated. She senses a shared wound in Jae-pil’s loneliness, despite his privileged background. She agrees to meet again, planning to reveal her own truth—that she is not just a student, but a bus attendant hiding behind a uniform.

Back at the dorm, Jong-hee tells Young-rye about the shift in her feelings. Young-rye listens, but her own heart tightens. She has cared for Jae-pil, too, yet she steps back. She tells Jong-hee she will cheer her on.

She even says, “You’re the one I want to see happy after me.” But when she scrubs her hands with balsam water, hoping for her first love to blossom, her eyes show the sadness of letting go.

The story plays out like fate’s cruel trick. Jae-pil waits for Jong-hee, but a flat tire delays him. By chance, he sees her step off a bus in her attendant’s uniform. Shock freezes him. Jong-hee’s secret is out.

Young-rye arrives too, bringing back the uniform hat Jong-hee left behind. She sees the look on his face. In that moment, the love triangle becomes unescapable.

This scene isn’t just about a secret revealed; it’s a perfect storm of tragic timing. The flat tire is the literal and metaphorical obstacle preventing a honest conversation. Jae-pil’s discovery isn’t through confession but through accident, which will likely breed feelings of betrayal and shock, making the resolution far more difficult. The writer uses coincidence not as a cheap trick, but as a catalyst for maximum emotional impact.

Shadows From The Past

The episode does not stop at romance. Another thread adds darker weight. A man desperately searching for Jong-hee is revealed to be her brother, played by Jung Jae-kwang. His past of assaulting her comes to light.

This revelation throws an ominous shadow over her story. When a clue points to him in disguise, Jong-hee’s future becomes more frightening.

Episode 4 showed how fragile each character’s happiness is. Jae-pil longs for Jong-hee but faces rejection and hidden truths. Young-rye sacrifices her feelings for her friend but suffers quietly. Jong-hee herself is torn between survival and honesty, with her abusive past threatening to destroy her fragile hope.

The drama also continued its strong ratings run. According to Nielsen Korea, the episode reached 4.9% nationwide and 5.0% in Seoul, with peak ratings climbing to 5.7%. The numbers prove that viewers are sticking with the show, drawn in by its blend of romance, pain, and unresolved secrets.

Episode 4 left one clear question. Between friendship, first love, and hidden scars, whose happiness will survive? The answer, for now, remains out of reach.

Final Verdict: A Heartbreaking Pivot

Episode 4 successfully transforms the drama’s initial warmth into a palpable ache. The director uses intimate close-ups to translate inner turmoil directly to the audience, making every rejection and secret feel personal.

While the love triangle is compelling, the real narrative power comes from the shadow of Jong-hee’s past, promising a much darker and more complex journey ahead.

Questions for Viewers: Do you think Jong-hee’s rejection of Jae-pil was solely about her secret, or was she also protecting herself?

Was Young-rye right to encourage Jong-hee after learning about the date, or was she being dishonest with herself? How do you predict Jae-pil will react now that he’s seen the truth? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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