JTBC drama One hundred memories has attracted a wave of controversy simply because of its casting: actor Heo Nam‑joon (born 1993) plays Han Jae Pil, a seventh-grader from 1982, and many viewers question the decision. The complaints include his appearance, vocal tone and demeanor, which many say is too mature for a high school student.
In forums and comments, viewers noted that Heo sounded more like the students’ teacher or parent than one of them, with some even saying his voice sounded like a man in his thirties. The complaints extend beyond her face: Some say the hair and makeup choices for her character look too modern for a true ’80s vibe, undermining the nostalgic setting. Meanwhile, the drama is set in the 1980s and is meant to evoke a strong retro youthful vibe.
At the drama’s press conference, director Kim Sang‑ho offered a defense: “When you look back, many 20-year-olds of that era seemed quite mature by today’s standards. If you watch the second half of the show, you’ll understand why I chose these three actors.” This commentary attempts to explain the choice by referring to the stylistic norms of the time.
Heo Nam‑joon himself responded to the criticism: he said that before accepting the role he studied his father’s old photo albums and other archival material, concluding that his appearance did not differ radically from that of teenagers in the 1980s. He believed that viewers would not notice the discrepancy. However he admitted: “Apparently more people felt it was embarrassing than I expected. If I made anyone feel like it was forced, then all I can say is… I’m sorry.”
Despite backlash over the age-appropriateness of the casting, the drama continues to attract attention for its nostalgic tone and emotional narrative about first love, friendship and youth. In fact, some segments of Heo Nam‑joon’s performance, especially his romantic scenes with the female lead, received praise. The show features actresses Kim Da‑mi and Shin Ye‑eun as bus attendants in the 1980s and tells the story of their bond and shared love interest in Jae Pil.
Ultimately, while the controversy is strong, it highlights a problem: When a production asks audiences to believe that an actor is much younger than he appears, the discrepancy between age, style, and voice of visual cues can create a jarring effect that threatens immersion. It remains to be seen whether the drama will recover from this criticism or lean back to its strengths.
Sources: K14
