By Shivam Das | October 13, 2026
100 Days of Deception has delivered a striking start for a tvN weekend drama, but the claim that it is already outperforming every other 2026 weekend series needs context. Its first two episodes show a sharp rise in ratings; they do not prove that it has beaten every competitor across an entire run.
Quick answer: Episode 1 averaged about 5.3% nationwide in South Korea on October 10, 2026. Episode 2 rose to about 7.6% nationwide on October 11—an increase of roughly 2.3 percentage points. Reports put episode 2's Seoul metropolitan average at 8.3%, with a peak of 9.4%. These are different measures, so a Seoul-area peak should not be presented as the nationwide average.
What the first two episodes' ratings show
The nationwide average moved from approximately 5.3% for the October 10 premiere to 7.6% the following night. That is a rise of about 2.3 percentage points, or roughly 43% relative to the premiere figure. Calling it a 2.3% increase would confuse percentage points with relative percentage change.
Why “outperforming every other drama” needs context
Soompi reported that the show opened with the highest premiere rating among tvN Saturday-Sunday dramas of 2026 at that point. That is a meaningful milestone. However, a premiere comparison is not the same as a comparison of every show's peak or full-run average. A completed series may reach a higher rating later in its run, while a new drama is only two episodes in. Fair comparisons must match nationwide averages with nationwide averages, peaks with peaks, and similar points in each show's schedule.
Could the story be bringing viewers back?
The series combines period drama, espionage and romance against the backdrop of Japanese-occupied Korea. Lee Ga-kyung's undercover mission collides with the divided loyalties surrounding Kim Tae-woong, also known as Sato Hideo. That premise creates tension beyond a conventional romance: each encounter can change what characters know, hide or risk.
Episode 2 deepens the danger through the pawnshop reunion and the assassination plot, while revelations about Yoo So-ran's past expand the emotional stakes. These are plausible reasons viewers may want to return, but ratings alone cannot prove why individual households watched.
What to watch when episode 3 airs
The next test is whether the drama can retain a substantial share of its second-episode audience. One jump can reflect curiosity, word of mouth, a cliffhanger or scheduling factors; a sustained trend across several episodes is stronger evidence of momentum. Current episode listings schedule episode 3 for October 17, 2026, though viewers should check tvN's official schedule for changes.
Watch three measures: the nationwide average, the Seoul metropolitan average and the change from the previous episode. Also keep television ratings separate from streaming popularity. A Korean broadcast rating does not directly count Netflix streams or international viewers.
The verdict
100 Days of Deception is off to a strong start: its nationwide average rose from about 5.3% to 7.6% in two episodes, and the reported Seoul-area peak reached 9.4%. The evidence supports calling it a standout early performer and a strong 2026 tvN weekend premiere. It does not yet support an unqualified claim that it has outperformed every other tvN weekend drama across all comparable measures. The next important signal is whether the audience holds in the coming weeks.
Frequently asked questions
What rating did episode 2 get?
Reports citing Nielsen Korea put episode 2 at about 7.6% nationwide, with a reported nationwide peak of 8.5%. The Seoul metropolitan average was reported at 8.3%, with a peak of 9.4%.
Did it have tvN's highest weekend-drama premiere of 2026?
Soompi reported that its approximately 5.3% premiere rating was the highest premiere rating among tvN Saturday-Sunday dramas in 2026 at the time.
Does a 7.6% TV rating mean 7.6% of Netflix subscribers watched?
No. Broadcast ratings and Netflix viewing data are different measurements. The figure should not be interpreted as a share of Netflix subscribers or international viewers.
When is episode 3 expected?
Current episode listings show October 17, 2026. Check tvN's official schedule for any updates.
