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Netflix will thrill you in more ways than one with its latest Korean dramas. 100 days of deception. This historical drama spy romance title, which is currently airing every week starting with its first broadcast, tells the story of a pickpocket (Lee Ga-kyung) and an interpreter (Park Jin-young), and is expected to increase tension as time goes by. A person unexpectedly involved in an international spy conspiracy. set to colonial capital Seoul, It depicts life-changing relationships, secrets, and danger during the struggle for independence in Gyeongseong during Japanese colonial rule.
Opening Shot: We watch old black-and-white footage of various everyday people, places, and events set against the backdrop of Gyeongseong occupied by the Imperial Japanese Army.
gist: In the spring of 1932, changes were taking place in Gyeongseong. In 1910, Japan annexed the Korean Empire, established the Japanese Government-General of Korea, and designated the Gyeongseong district as the new colonial capital, ‘Gyeongseong’. The March 1st Movement of 1919 saw millions of Koreans protest the occupation and mobilize for independence, but it ended tragically, with Japanese law enforcement killing thousands, arresting tens of thousands, and burning buildings, leaving many struggling, homeless and orphaned.
One such victim is Lee Ga-kyung (Kim Yu-jeong), a sassy young woman who lives in an impoverished community of young pickpockets who try to meet their daily quotas at minimal cost to survive. Not only is Ga-kyung a frequent pickpocket, but she is also one of the few people who can read and write because she learned English while working as a missionary’s housekeeper at a young age. With the help of her friend, rickshaw driver Inoma (Hong Sa-bin), Ga-kyung uses her Korean, Japanese, and English skills and quick mind to steal and defraud money to achieve her dream of moving to the United States. However, when a high-profile robbery incident occurs, Ga-kyung unintentionally becomes entangled with Hideo Sato (Jin-young Park), an interpreter at the Japanese Government General, and the anti-Japanese independence group National Salvation Dan.
Meanwhile, So-ran (Kim Hyun-joo), a sniper from the Gukukdan, joins Korean journalist Philip Yoo (Moo-saeng Lee) in Gyeongseong and carries out a plan to assassinate the new inspector general, Sato Shin-ichi (Jin Seon-gyu), under the pretext of an arranged marriage. It’s personal for Soran, who wants revenge for her daughter’s brutal death in 1919, and she’s willing to die for it. Sato has surprising enemies, including interpreter Suzuki (Kim Do-hyun) and adopted son Hideo. Hideo, who appeared to the world as a Japanese man, was a young Korean pickpocket who tried and failed to steal from Sato, forever changing the trajectory of his life. On the night Soran tried to kill Sato, due to the unexpected interference of Gakyung Hideo and the interference of an unknown gunman, Soran recruits Gakyung to watch the Government-General for 100 days, and all their stories come together.
What show comes to mind? K-drama fans may find some key similarities to the acclaimed 2018 historical romance series. Mr. Sunshine. Multilingual moments and Korea-Japan conflict may also be reminiscent of parts of the Apple TV+ series pachinko.
Our Take: 100 days of deception It immediately draws viewers in with its compelling characters and deep political tensions imbued with real history, weaving its storylines in a way that had me on the edge of my seat for most of the first episode. The actors continued to impress as they delivered their lines in Korean, Japanese, and even English, while convincingly portraying the anguish, anger, and hope of an oppressed people willing to risk everything for what they believe in. Time passes as each protagonist’s story delivers its own unique plot, drama, and action, culminating in a final sequence that ties everything together in a commonly understood way.
As you can see from “The Gist” above, there’s a lot going on, and it can be confusing if you’re not caught up in the secrets and pasts of the various characters, or if you don’t have context for the history of Korea and Japan. The appearance of the second gunman at the end was also a bit confusing, but I believe more clarity will be added in the next episode. Still, the good far outweighs the bad, and the first episode sets up a lot to keep you coming back for more. From the enticing metaphors of convenient relationships, enemies and lovers, and found families, to two different potential romances that will captivate you, to a heartfelt homage to an important period in Korean history, there’s a lot that makes this series feel worthy of your time and attention.
Performance worth watching: The versatile Kim Yoo-jung, who is warm and sincere but also has a cunning and quirky side, shines on the screen as Lee Ga-kyung.
Parting Scene: Ga-kyung, who was held at gunpoint by a mysterious assailant, desperately begs Hideo to help her, whispering “assassination” in English.
Our Calling: From intrigue to romance to important real-life history, 100 days of deception It brings a lot to the table that anyone willing to overcome the various twists and turns and hour-long episodes will find worth watching. Stream!
Maddy Casale is a Chicago-based writer and comedian whose work covers everything from animated series to Hallmark movies. Follow her on Duolingo @MCasale.