By Shivam Das | October 12, 2026
Quick answer: 100 Days of Deception rose from about 5.3% nationwide for its October 10 premiere to 7.6% for Episode 2 on October 11, according to ratings figures reported by Korean entertainment outlets citing Nielsen Korea. That is an increase of roughly 2.3 percentage points in one episode. The second broadcast also averaged 8.3% in the Seoul metropolitan area and reached a reported peak of 9.4% there.
The early ratings jump gives tvN’s historical spy-romance a strong opening-weekend story, but it does not yet prove that the series will keep climbing. The more revealing question is why viewers returned for Episode 2—and whether the show can turn its first burst of curiosity into a stable weekly audience.
The numbers behind the Episode 2 ratings jump
Episode 1, which aired October 10, recorded a nationwide rating of approximately 5.3%. The October 11 broadcast reached 7.6% nationwide, a rise of about 2.3 percentage points. In relative terms, that is roughly a 44% increase over the premiere figure—but percentage points and percent growth are not interchangeable, and neither figure represents a count of individual viewers.
The Seoul metropolitan area delivered an even stronger result: an 8.3% average and a reported peak of 9.4%. Nationwide, reports placed the Episode 2 peak at 8.5%. Those numbers describe different measurements and regions, so the 9.4% figure should not be presented as the nationwide average.
According to Soompi’s October 12 ratings report, the drama ranked first in its time slot across cable channels with its 7.6% nationwide average. The figures are attributed to Nielsen Korea’s paid-platform ratings data.
Why the second episode may have brought viewers back
1. The central relationship moved beyond a first-meeting hook. The drama pairs Ga-kyeong, a skilled pickpocket recruited into an independence operation, with Kim Tae-woong, an interpreter whose identity and loyalties are complicated. Their encounters are not simply romantic interruptions: each meeting risks exposing a lie or compromising a mission. That gives viewers a reason to watch closely rather than treat the story as a straightforward period romance.
2. Episode 2 widened the danger. The broadcast added new complications to the attempted assassination plot, including the reveal surrounding Geum Seok-jung and his connection to Yoo So-ran. Instead of resolving the first episode’s tension, the story made its political and personal stakes larger. A second episode that changes the audience’s understanding of several characters can encourage viewers to return the following week.
3. The setting offers more than a romantic backdrop. The series is set in Gyeongseong during the Japanese occupation of Korea. Undercover work, the independence movement, and the colonial administration give the characters competing loyalties and real consequences. The historical frame can broaden the show’s appeal beyond viewers who primarily follow romance dramas.
What the ratings do—and do not—tell us
A jump from 5.3% to 7.6% is an encouraging early signal, especially when the second episode also leads its time slot. But two broadcasts are not enough to establish a long-term trend. Ratings can shift because of competing programs, scheduling, word of mouth, episode content, and the way a measurement panel captures viewing.
It is also important not to confuse a peak rating with an episode average. A peak reflects a high point during the broadcast; the average summarizes viewing across the program. The Seoul metropolitan result and the nationwide result cover different geographic populations, so they should be reported separately.
Can 100 Days of Deception reach double digits?
It is possible, but the current numbers do not make it a certainty. The next useful test is whether Episode 3 holds most of the new audience or loses momentum after the second episode’s revelations. A further rise would suggest that curiosity is converting into habit; a modest decline would not automatically mean the drama has failed, especially after a strong opening.
For now, the strongest defensible conclusion is narrower: the drama gained about 2.3 percentage points nationwide between its first two episodes, reached a reported 9.4% peak in the Seoul metropolitan area, and led its cable time slot on October 11. Those are meaningful early results. Predictions about double-digit ratings should wait for more episodes.
Episode 2 ratings: quick facts
- Episode 1 nationwide rating: approximately 5.3% on October 10, 2026.
- Episode 2 nationwide rating: 7.6% on October 11, 2026.
- Change: about +2.3 percentage points from the premiere.
- Episode 2 Seoul metropolitan average: 8.3%.
- Reported peak: 9.4% in the Seoul metropolitan area; 8.5% nationwide.
- Time-slot result: first among cable channels, according to reports citing Nielsen Korea.
Frequently asked questions
What rating did 100 Days of Deception Episode 2 get?
Episode 2 averaged 7.6% nationwide on October 11, 2026. Its reported Seoul metropolitan average was 8.3%, with a peak of 9.4% in that region.
How much did the ratings increase after Episode 1?
The nationwide average rose from approximately 5.3% to 7.6%, an increase of about 2.3 percentage points. That is roughly 44% growth relative to the premiere rating.
Was 9.4% the nationwide rating?
No. The 9.4% figure was reported as the peak in the Seoul metropolitan area. The nationwide average was 7.6%, and the nationwide peak was reported as 8.5%.
Does the ratings jump mean the drama will reach double digits?
Not necessarily. The first two episodes show promising momentum, but later ratings are needed before a reliable prediction can be made.
Where can viewers find official information about the series?
Viewers can check the Netflix title page for 100 Days of Deception and follow ratings reports from outlets such as Soompi. Promotional images belong to their respective rights holders; confirm reuse permissions before republishing or downloading them.
Sources
- Soompi: Episode 2 ratings report, October 12, 2026
- Newsen: Korean ratings report
- Netflix: 100 Days of Deception official title page
Editorial note: Ratings are reported audience measurements, not a direct count of every person who watched. Figures and episode details are attributed to the sources linked above.
