By Shivam Das | October 13, 2026
100 Days of Deception made a strong early move in South Korea: Episode 2 averaged a nationwide rating of 7.6% on October 11, up from 5.3% for its October 10 premiere. The increase puts the new tvN historical spy romance firmly on the early-season watchlist, although two episodes are not enough to predict its eventual ceiling.
According to Soompi’s report citing Nielsen Korea, the second episode averaged 7.6% nationwide and ranked first in its time slot across cable channels. That is a notable early result, but it should not be confused with a guarantee of continued growth or with a U.S. Netflix audience figure.
How big was the ratings jump?
The premiere drew approximately 5.3% nationwide, while Episode 2 reached 7.6%. Using the rounded figures, that is an increase of about 2.3 percentage points, or roughly 43% relative to the premiere rating. The exact reported figures commonly listed are 5.278% for Episode 1 and 7.605% for Episode 2.
These are South Korean television ratings, not a measurement of global streaming starts, U.S. viewers or Netflix chart position. Keeping those metrics separate is essential when assessing the drama’s reach.
Why Episode 2 may have attracted more viewers
The series combines a historical setting, a spy mission and a slow-building romance. Lee Ga-kyung, played by Kim You-jung, is drawn into a plan connected to the Korean independence movement. Park Jin-young plays interpreter Sato Hideo, whose identity and loyalties complicate the mission. The ensemble also includes Kim Hyun-joo, Lee Moo-saeng and Jin Sun-kyu.
Episode 2 benefits from the groundwork laid by the premiere: viewers already know the central characters and the danger around the mission, so the story can move from introductions into collisions between personal motives and political stakes. That is a plausible explanation for growing interest, not proof of why each individual tuned in.
What the ratings do — and do not — tell us
A 7.6% nationwide rating is a promising early signal for a cable drama. It indicates that the second broadcast found a larger measured audience than the premiere. It does not establish that the series will keep rising, beat every other weekend drama, or become a global streaming hit. Episode-to-episode results can shift with competition, scheduling, word of mouth and the direction of the story.
For context, AsianWiki’s episode-rating table lists the first two episodes at 5.278% and 7.605% nationwide, with Seoul-area figures reported separately. Regional and nationwide measurements should not be mixed together.
Could Episode 3 keep the momentum going?
The next useful test is whether the show can turn early curiosity into a consistent audience. Episode 3 is scheduled for October 17, 2026, according to currently published episode listings. Its performance will offer another data point, but even one more rating will not settle the series’ long-term trajectory.
International viewers should also distinguish broadcast ratings in Korea from availability and performance on streaming services in their own country. A strong Korean television result can support awareness, but it is not by itself evidence of a U.S. streaming surge.
Quick answer
100 Days of Deception Episode 2 reached a 7.6% nationwide rating on October 11, 2026, rising from about 5.3% for its premiere. The result is a strong early increase for the tvN drama, but it does not guarantee future ratings or prove a global Netflix trend.
Frequently asked questions
What rating did Episode 2 of 100 Days of Deception receive?
It averaged 7.6% nationwide in South Korea, according to Nielsen Korea figures reported by Soompi.
How much did the rating increase?
Using rounded figures, the rating rose about 2.3 percentage points, from 5.3% to 7.6%.
Does the 7.6% figure represent Netflix viewers in the United States?
No. It is a South Korean television audience rating and should not be presented as a U.S. streaming metric.
When is Episode 3 expected?
Published schedules list October 17, 2026, for Episode 3. Check the broadcaster or your local streaming service for region-specific availability.
Sources and further reading
- Soompi: Episode 2 ratings report
- AsianWiki: cast and episode ratings
- Decider: series overview and review
Image credits: drama stills published by Soompi. Confirm rights and terms before commercial reuse.
