tvN Names “100 Days of Deception” Its Biggest Drama of the Second Half of 2026
Kim Yoo Jung and Park Jinyoung lead tvN’s 100 Days of Deception, a 1932 espionage romance named the network’s most anticipated drama of late 2026.
tvN’s upcoming weekend drama 100 Days of Deception is building momentum after being singled out as the network’s most anticipated drama of the second half of the year.
Set in Gyeongseong in 1932, the series is a 100-day espionage romance following a pickpocket who becomes a spy and an elite interpreter working for the Japanese Government-General of Korea as they encounter each other deep inside enemy territory. With interpretation—a profession that requires understanding what lies beneath the words being spoken—at the heart of its story, along with the unusual premise of independence fighters planting their own spy within enemy ranks, the drama promises unpredictable suspense.
The character posters released on September 17 reveal five faces partially hidden in deep shadows, with each character’s mysterious gaze hinting at the secrets they carry. Lee Ga Kyung (Kim Yoo Jung) has never dreamed of Korean independence and initially agrees to become a spy without any genuine commitment to the cause, driven only by her own ambitions. However, unfamiliar emotions gradually begin to consume her. With tears in her eyes, her poster reads, “It was supposed to be a 100-day lie—until it became sincere.” Meanwhile, Tae Woong, a Korean-born man who was adopted by the Director-General of Political Affairs and returned as interpreter Sato Hideo (Park Jinyoung), lives with the confusion and loneliness of belonging nowhere. Torn between suspicion and trust toward Lee Ga Kyung, he confesses, “Even though I knew it was a lie, I kept wanting to believe it.”
Yoo So Ran (Kim Hyun Joo), a sniper for the independence organization Gugukdan, displays unwavering determination as she holds her head high. She is the person who sends Lee Ga Kyung undercover into the Japanese Government-General of Korea, making the dangerous proposal, “Become our spy. I’m offering you a deal.” The painful history she has buried and the identity of the person she seeks revenge against are also expected to become major points of intrigue. Phillip Yoo (Lee Moo Saeng), a calm and composed Korean-American correspondent, secretly participates in Gugukdan activities while working as a journalist. He pressures the Director-General of Political Affairs, who is highly sensitive to international affairs, warning, “If you continue to doubt me, I’ll have no choice but to report today’s incident.” Director-General of Political Affairs Sato Shinichi (Jin Seon Kyu), meanwhile, radiates cold arrogance as he asks, “Do you really think independence will come just because you kill me?” Interest in the series is already high, with the infiltration teaser released on August 29 surpassing 1.56 million views as of September 17.
CJ ENM Media Division head Park Sang Hyuk officially named 100 Days of Deception tvN’s most anticipated drama for the second half of the year during tvN Creator Talk 2026, held at the CJ ENM Sangam Center in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on September 16. According to tvN, the network ranked No. 1 this year in overall ratings for weekday content airing in the 9 p.m. time slot, while five of the 10 highest-rated programs in the first half of the year were tvN productions. To maintain that momentum, the network plans to roll out new dramas including 100 Days of Deception, Love in Disguise, and Gift, along with Season 3 of Iron Girls and an Undercover Chef spin-off. Spanning period dramas, romantic comedies, and sports coming-of-age stories, the lineup is intended to commemorate tvN’s 20th anniversary. CP Jang Shin Ae said she was drawn to the project because of “a fresh premise and entertaining elements that we haven’t seen in previous period dramas.” She highlighted the idea of independence fighters planting a spy inside enemy territory, as well as suspense built around dialogue switching between Korean, Japanese, English, and Chinese, as key elements that distinguish the series. The multilingual exchanges characteristic of espionage stories are also expected to heighten the tension of the historical setting.
The production team is equally impressive. Director Yoo In Sik, who demonstrated his commercial appeal with the Dr. Romantic series and Extraordinary Attorney Woo, is directing the project, while the screenplay was written by Ryu Bo Ri, known for Do You Like Brahms? and Trolley. Studio Dragon and Nangman Crew are jointly producing the series. As the drama has been scheduled as a special project celebrating tvN’s 20th anniversary, it is also attracting attention as a production receiving significant backing from the network. From Lee Ga Kyung infiltrating enemy territory while disguised as an interpreter trainee to Yoo So Ran and Phillip Yoo concealing their identities as independence fighters, the characters are already positioned for a precarious confrontation in which one wrong move could expose everything. Combined with a cast of established actors, the setup has only raised expectations further.
With powerful performances already evident from the character posters, an accomplished production team, and an unconventional take on the period drama genre, tvN’s 100 Days of Deception is set to premiere on October 10 at 9:10 p.m.
Sources: Naver