By Shivam Das | October 13, 2026
100 Days of Deception has opened with a notable ratings result: its first episode recorded a 5.3% nationwide average in South Korea, giving it the highest premiere rating of any tvN Saturday–Sunday drama in 2026 so far, according to Nielsen Korea figures reported by Soompi. That is a strong start for the network’s new period spy romance—but it is important to define the record accurately. It is a comparison with tvN’s weekend dramas this year, not a claim that the series had the highest rating of every Korean show airing that night.
What has actually been confirmed?
Soompi reported on October 11 that the October 10 premiere averaged 5.3% nationwide, citing Nielsen Korea. The outlet described it as the highest premiere rating among tvN’s Saturday–Sunday dramas in 2026. The result also made it the most-watched cable program of that Saturday, according to the same report.
The second episode strengthened the early picture. A separate Soompi report said the October 11 broadcast rose to a 7.6% nationwide average, placing first in its time slot across cable channels. Those numbers suggest that the drama gained viewers after its opening episode, although two broadcasts are too small a sample to establish long-term success.
Why the premiere may have connected with viewers
The series is set in 1932 Gyeongseong, the former name for Seoul, during Japanese colonial rule. Its central story follows Lee Ga-kyung, a skilled pickpocket who agrees to infiltrate the Japanese Government-General for the Korean independence movement. Her assignment brings her into contact with Sato Hideo, an interpreter whose loyalties and identity are more complicated than they first appear.
The premise combines undercover operations with romance and period drama. That mix gives the show several ways to engage an audience: a secret mission creates immediate stakes, while the characters’ personal motives make the political danger intimate rather than abstract. The historical setting also gives the production a distinctive visual identity, from formal government spaces to carefully staged public gatherings.
The ratings comparison needs context
A premiere rating is a useful early indicator, but it is not the same as total audience reach, streaming popularity or international performance. A nationwide television average measures a different audience from Netflix viewing data, and ratings can vary significantly by channel, time slot and genre.
There is also a useful comparison from the same Saturday: Soompi reported that SBS’s Doctor X averaged 14.9% for its second episode. That does not undermine 100 Days of Deception’s tvN premiere record; it shows why the scope of each claim matters. The new drama achieved the strongest 2026 premiere among tvN weekend dramas, while another series led the broader Saturday television ratings in that report.
What to watch in the next episodes
The next test is whether the series can turn curiosity into habit. The spy plot needs to keep delivering meaningful discoveries, while the romance must develop without making the characters’ choices feel predetermined. The show will also need to balance its period setting with the pace expected by viewers accustomed to modern thrillers.
For international audiences, Netflix provides another route to discovery beyond Korean broadcast ratings. The series’ official Netflix title page lists the drama and its cast. Netflix availability and catalog presentation can vary by country, so local viewers should check their own catalog.
Official video: the cast and production presentation
The production presentation offers additional context on the people behind the drama. The video below comes from the event coverage credited on Wikimedia Commons to PICKCON.
Quick answer
Yes—100 Days of Deception had the highest premiere rating of any tvN Saturday–Sunday drama in 2026 at launch. Its first episode averaged 5.3% nationwide, according to Nielsen Korea figures reported by Soompi on October 11, 2026. The claim refers specifically to tvN weekend-drama premieres, not every Korean television show.
Frequently asked questions
What rating did 100 Days of Deception receive for Episode 1?
Episode 1 recorded a 5.3% nationwide average in South Korea, according to Nielsen Korea figures cited by Soompi.
Why is it called tvN’s strongest weekend starter of 2026?
Its premiere rating was reported as the highest among tvN Saturday–Sunday dramas that premiered in 2026. The wording refers to the network’s weekend drama premieres.
Did the rating rise for Episode 2?
Yes. Soompi reported that Episode 2 reached a 7.6% nationwide average and ranked first in its time slot across cable channels.
Does this mean it beat every Korean drama on television?
No. The premiere record is specific to tvN weekend dramas in 2026. Other channels and shows can record higher ratings; Soompi reported that SBS’s Doctor X averaged 14.9% for its second episode on the same Saturday.
Where can I watch 100 Days of Deception?
Check the official Netflix title page for availability in your region.
Sources and image credits
- Soompi: Premiere ratings and 2026 tvN weekend-drama comparison (October 11, 2026).
- Soompi: Episode 2 ratings rise to 7.6% (October 12, 2026).
- The Korea Times: Series premise, cast and historical setting.
- Press-conference images credited to PICKCON via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.
