[TF Review] As expected from Yoo In-sik&Kim Yoo-jung... 'The 100-Day Lie' Exceeds Expectations

Solid directing, engaging plot, and stable acting.A total of 16 episodes... First broadcast on October 10th.The new tvN Saturday-Sunday drama '100 Days of Lies', starring actress Kim Yoo-jung (pictured) and directed by Yoo In-sik, will unveil on the 10th. The drama is set during the Japanese colonial period and consists of 16 episodes. /tvN[THE FACT | Reporter Moon Chae-young] My impression after watching the first episode of '100 Days of Lies' was clear. From the directing to the acting, it was flawless and exceeded expectations. It truly made me exclaim, "As expected of director Yoo In-sik, as expected of actress Kim Yoo-jung." '100 Days of Lies' is poised to become a new representative work for both of them.The new tvN Saturday-Sunday drama '100 Days of Lies' (written by Ryu Bo-ri, directed by Yoo In-sik&Kim Yoon-jin) will have its first broadcast today (10th) at 9:10 PM. Prior to this, tvN held a press screening and pre-released the first episode out of the total 16 episodes to reporters.'100 Days of Lies' is a 100-day spy romance that unfolds as a top pickpocket in Gyeongseong, who becomes a spy, confronts an elite interpreter of the Government-General of Korea in the heart of the enemy. The drama offers a unique kind of fun with its themes of interpretation and the setting of a spy planted by the independence movement.The new tvN Saturday-Sunday drama '100 Days of Lies' deals with the precarious romance between a spy who has infiltrated the Government-General of Korea in disguise and a Japanese elite from a Korean beggar background. Actress Kim Yoo-jung and Park Jin Young will be working together. /tvNThe work captivates viewers from the start with its sophisticated directing. Black and white film depicting the Joseon Dynasty appears with upbeat music, creating an overwhelming atmosphere. Although the visuals resemble those found in documentaries about old history, the mood is not heavy.This directing makes one look up the director's name again. The megaphone for '100 Days of Lies' was taken by director Yoo In-sik, who has already been recognized for his stylish directing in SBS dramas 'Dr. Romantic' and ENA drama 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo'.The fresh character settings also enhance the drama's entertainment value. The protagonists are a 'spy uninterested in independence' and a 'Japanese elite from a Korean beggar background.' Their unique characteristics and personalities pique viewers' curiosity.There are also points that remind us of the tvN drama 'Mr. Sunshine,' which aired in 2018. This is due to the commonality of the Japanese colonial period and the appearance of a female character who lives her life proactively. Just as 'Mr. Sunshine' received much love, there is curiosity as to whether '100 Days of Lies' will also garner favorable reviews from viewers.The performances of actors Kim Hyun-joo, Lee Moo-saeng, and Jin Sun-kyu (from top) are also significant. They each play an independence activist belonging to the armed anti-Japanese organization Gugukdan and a civil governor of the Government-General of Korea who is loyal to Japan. /tvNThe acting skills of the actors leading '100 Days of Lies,' including Kim Yoo-jung, Kim Hyun-joo, Lee Moo-saeng, and Jin Sun-kyu, are also satisfactory. They seamlessly blended into the drama as if they were wearing comfortable clothes.Kim Yoo-jung's performance is particularly outstanding. While she has already proven her solid acting skills in SBS dramas 'Lovers of the Red Sky' and 'My Demon,' and the TVING original series 'Dear X,' her cunning and charming portrayal in '100 Days of Lies' is astonishing.The passionate performances of Kim Hyun-joo and Lee Moo-saeng, who play independence activists directly expressing the sorrows of the Japanese colonial era, also contribute to the drama's completeness. They convey their firm determination to risk even death with resolute eyes and voices. In particular, the spy operations they secretly carry out create a subtle tension.Furthermore, the presence of the main villain, Jin Sun-kyu, stands out. He exudes a different aura from the rough demeanor he showed as the loan shark Lee Seong-rak in the movie 'The Roundup.' Transformed into a civil governor of the Government-General of Korea in this work, he mostly wears suits and displays a refined and weighty charisma.The new tvN Saturday-Sunday drama '100 Days of Lies' is considered a highly anticipated work for the second half of the year. If it maintains the same level of completeness and entertainment as the first episode until the end, it could aim for the title of a well-made drama. /tvNThere are also new discoveries. Actress Hong Sa-bin appears as Kim Yoo-jung's close friend. In the first episode of '100 Days of Lies,' he left a strong impression with his innocent yet witty performance. Curiosity grows about how he will appear to viewers in the remaining episodes, given his prominent presence in the early development of the drama.The romance, which can be considered the main story of the drama, is also intriguing. From their first meeting, Kim Yoo-jung and Park Jin Young face each other as a pickpocket and the son of a powerful figure, creating a tense development. Along with this, a mature and poignant middle-aged romance between Kim Hyun-joo and Lee Moo-saeng, who become a married couple in disguise while engaged in the independence movement, is also foreshadowed.Of course, since only one episode has been released, there is a need to watch the latter half. Regardless of the immersion and completeness of the first episode, how the remaining episodes are resolved will determine whether the drama will be remembered as a well-made piece or a disappointing one.Nevertheless, the high expectations for '100 Days of Lies' are due to the presence of director Yoo In-sik and Kim Yoo-jung. There is strong trust as the two, who have created various hit works, have joined forces. If they maintain the tension of the opening, '100 Days of Lies' is expected to become a representative drama of 2026.[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]mcy21@tf.co.kr