By Shivam Das | Updated October 13, 2026
100 Days of Deception has made a strong early impression. Episode 1 averaged about 5.3% nationwide in South Korea, while Episode 2 rose to 7.6% on October 11, according to reports citing Nielsen Korea. Can the tvN drama reach a double-digit rating next weekend?
Quick answer: It is possible, but not guaranteed. Episode 2’s increase gives the series momentum; two data points alone cannot reliably predict the next rating. Episode 3’s story payoff, audience retention, competing broadcasts and word of mouth will help determine whether the upward trend continues.
What Episode 2’s ratings actually show
Episode 1, broadcast October 10, recorded approximately 5.3% nationwide. Episode 2, aired October 11, reached 7.6% nationwide and reportedly peaked at 8.5%. In the Seoul metropolitan area, reports cited an 8.3% average and a 9.4% peak. These figures measure different things—nationwide versus metropolitan, and average versus peak—so they should not be compared as if they were identical.
The strongest conclusion is straightforward: a sizeable audience returned for the second episode, and the show improved its position in its time slot. That creates an opportunity for further growth, provided the drama continues to hold viewers’ attention.
Why double digits are plausible—but not a promise
Three factors could help the series approach 10%. First, Episode 2 ended with a memorable pawnshop encounter between Ga-kyung and Hideo, giving viewers a reason to return. Second, the drama mixes spy-romance tension with political intrigue and family secrets. Third, the jump after the premiere suggests that interest may be expanding beyond the initial audience.
There are reasons to be cautious, too. Cable-drama ratings can fluctuate from week to week. A cliffhanger can attract curiosity, but the next episode must deliver on it. Competing programs and ordinary audience habits also matter. The 2.3-percentage-point increase between the first two episodes should not be projected forward as if ratings rise at a fixed rate.
The story may matter more than the headline number
The show’s early appeal is not only about the chemistry between its leads. Episode 2 deepened the danger around the assassination plot and revealed more of Yoo So-ran’s painful past. It also tightened the connection between Ga-kyung, a pickpocket operating under pressure, and Hideo, an interpreter whose loyalties are complicated.
That gives the series several narrative engines: romance, undercover risk, political intrigue and personal revenge. If Episode 3 advances these threads rather than simply postponing answers, it may help retain the audience that arrived during the first two episodes.
Four signals to watch when Episode 3 airs
- Audience retention: Does the next episode maintain the momentum from Episode 2?
- Story payoff: Does the pawnshop encounter lead to meaningful developments?
- Consistent comparisons: Compare nationwide averages with nationwide averages, and peaks with peaks.
- Competition: Other programs in the same time slot can affect the available audience.
A double-digit peak and a double-digit nationwide average are different milestones. A peak near 10% means viewership reached that level at a point during the broadcast; a 10% nationwide average would be a more demanding benchmark. Headlines should state which measure they mean.
Official video and sources
Watch the cast press-conference video below. It is promotional coverage, not evidence of future ratings.
For the ratings report, read Soompi’s Episode 2 ratings coverage and Sports Chosun’s episode recap. See the official Netflix page for the series overview and cast.
Frequently asked questions
Will 100 Days of Deception reach 10% ratings next weekend?
It is possible, but not certain. Episode 2’s rise gives the drama momentum; Episode 3’s audience response will show whether that momentum continues.
What rating did Episode 2 record?
Reports citing Nielsen Korea put Episode 2 at a 7.6% nationwide average. Other reported figures include an 8.5% nationwide peak, an 8.3% Seoul metropolitan average and a 9.4% metropolitan peak.
Why did ratings rise after Episode 1?
The increase may reflect interest in the lead performances, the pawnshop storyline and the mix of romance, espionage and revenge. Ratings alone cannot prove which factor caused the rise.
Is a 9.4% peak the same as a 9.4% average?
No. A peak is the highest reported audience level during a broadcast; an average reflects viewership across the episode.
Where can viewers watch 100 Days of Deception?
Check the official Netflix page for availability in your country.
Bottom line: The numbers make a double-digit milestone a reasonable possibility, not a promise. Episode 3 will show whether the second episode’s curiosity turns into a larger, sustained audience.
Image note: Drama stills are credited to tvN via Soompi. Confirm that your publication has the rights needed for reuse of third-party stills. Featured press-conference image: BH Entertainment, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
