Netflix's '100 Days of Deception' Weaves Espionage and Romance in Occupied Korea
The new historical drama series, set against the backdrop of Japanese colonial rule, follows a pickpocket entangled in a dangerous plot.
Netflix's latest Korean drama, "100 Days of Deception," premieres with its first episode, introducing a historical spy romance set in 1930s Seoul, then known as Gyeongseong, during the Japanese occupation. The series unfolds weekly, focusing on a pickpocket and an interpreter drawn into international espionage amidst the fight for Korean independence.
The narrative is set in the colonial capital of Gyeongseong, where Japan established its government in 1910. Following the 1919 March First Movement, a mass protest against occupation that resulted in significant casualties and arrests, many Koreans struggled. Among them is Lee Ga-kyung (Kim You-jung), a young woman who survives by pickpocketing with a group of orphans. Possessing skills in Korean, Japanese, and English, learned during her time as a maid at a missionary, Ga-kyung dreams of moving to America. Her life takes a dramatic turn after a high-profile robbery goes awry, linking her with Sato Hideo (Park Jin-young), an interpreter for the Japanese Government-General, and the anti-Japanese independence group, Gugukdan.
Parallelly, Gugukdan sniper So-ran (Kim Hyun-joo) arrives in Gyeongseong with Korean-American media correspondent Yoo Philip (Lee Moo-saeng) to use their marriage as a cover for an assassination plot targeting the newly appointed Inspector-General Sato Shinichi (Jin Seon-kyu). So-ran seeks revenge for her daughter's death in 1919. Hideo, Sato Shinichi's interpreter and adopted son, harbors his own secrets, being a Korean pickpocket whose life changed after a failed robbery attempt on Sato.
The storylines converge on the night of the planned assassination. Unexpected interventions by Hideo, Ga-kyung, and an unidentified gunman lead So-ran to enlist Ga-kyung as a spy within the Government-General for 100 days. Fans of historical K-dramas may find parallels with "Mr. Sunshine," while the multilingual aspects and Korean-Japanese conflict might evoke comparisons to Apple TV+'s "Pachinko."
The series has been praised for its compelling characters, political tension, and the actors' ability to deliver lines in multiple languages while portraying the struggles of a suppressed population. Kim You-jung's performance as Lee Ga-kyung has been highlighted for her versatility.
Despite a potentially complex plot with numerous secrets and historical context, "100 Days of Deception" is recommended for its blend of intrigue, romance, and historical significance, offering a compelling narrative for viewers willing to follow its twists and turns. The series is available on Netflix, with new episodes released weekly.