KBS2’s new historical rom-com series To My Beloved Thief started airing this weekend, bringing a classic story of a righteous thief and a prince into a new era with a magical twist. The show stars Nam Ji-hyun and Moon Sang-min in a Joseon-era tale that mixes romance, comedy, and an unexpected body-swap plot. For viewers around the world, the series is available to stream with subtitles on platforms like Viki. The drama fills the weekend time slot on KBS2 previously held by Last Summer and is planned for a 16-episode run.
To My Beloved Thief Release Schedule and Where to Watch
The drama premiered on Saturday, January 3, 2026, on the Korean network KBS2. New episodes air twice a week in its home country.
- Korean Broadcast: Episodes air on Saturdays and Sundays at 21:20 Korea Standard Time (KST).
- International Streaming: For global audiences, the series is available on the streaming service Viki. Viki typically adds new episodes with multiple subtitle options shortly after the Korean broadcast ends. Some regions may also have access to the show on the platform Wavve.
- Episode Count: The drama is scheduled for a total of 16 episodes. With two episodes released each week, the series is expected to run for eight weeks.
For viewers in different time zones, the release of new subtitled episodes on international platforms usually corresponds with the following local times after the Korean broadcast:
- Eastern Time (ET): Approximately 7:20 AM on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
- Pacific Time (PT): Approximately 4:20 AM on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
- Greenwich Mean Time (GMT): Approximately 12:20 PM on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Meet the Main Cast and Characters
To My Beloved Thief is led by a blend of established and rising stars in Korean television.
- Nam Ji-hyun takes on the dual role of Hong Eun-jo, a compassionate physician, and her secret alter ego, Hong Gil-dong, the righteous thief. By day, she treats patients at the Hyeminseo clinic; by night, she steals from corrupt nobles to aid the poor. Nam Ji-hyun is known for her strong performances in historical and romantic dramas.
- Moon Sang-min plays Prince Lee Yeol (also spelled Yi Yeol). He is a prince who uses his hobby of solving crimes as a cover to protect his people. His investigation into the thief Hong Gil-dong leads him to Hong Eun-jo, creating an instant attraction that is complicated by their differing social statuses.
- Hong Min-gi appears as Im Jae-yi, a character who serves as a rival to Prince Lee Yeol.
- Han So-eun plays Shin Hae-rim, a noblewoman involved in a secret romance.
The supporting cast includes veteran actors like Choi Won-young as Im Jae-yi’s father and Song Ji-ho as Hong Dae-il, Eun-jo’s older brother. The series is directed by Ham Young-geol and written by Lee Sun.
The Story: A Thief, a Prince, and a Body Swap
The plot centers on Hong Eun-jo, who lives a dangerous double life. Born to a nobleman and a woman from the lowest class, she understands the struggles of the common people firsthand. Her work as a doctor allows her to heal, but her secret life as the thief Hong Gil-dong lets her fight injustice by robbing corrupt officials.
Her actions capture the attention of Prince Lee Yeol, who is determined to catch the elusive thief. However, when he finally encounters Eun-jo in her civilian life, he is immediately drawn to her, not knowing she is the very person he is hunting.
The story takes a fantastical turn when an unexpected event causes Hong Eun-jo and Prince Lee Yeol to swap souls. This body swap forces the prince to live as a commoner woman and the thief to navigate the world of the royal palace, risking the exposure of their deepest secrets.
Beyond the central romance and comedic situations arising from the body swap, the drama also weaves in larger political threats and rivalries that challenge both main characters.
A Drama with Deep Roots: Production and Background
The series is a production of Studio Dragon, a major Korean production company. Filming took place over eight months, from March to October 2025, primarily in various scenic locations in Gyeongnam Province, South Korea. These sites include historic houses and mountains, providing an authentic Joseon-era backdrop.
The drama’s writer, Lee Sun, originally won an excellence award for this script at Studio Dragon’s drama contest in 2020. In a unique approach, the story was also adapted into a webtoon that began serialization on Naver in late December 2025, just before the TV premiere. This allowed fans to start engaging with the story in a different format ahead of the broadcast.
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