Episode 3 of To My Beloved Thief brought major changes to the story. Hong Eun-jo got closer to Prince Yi Yeol while still hiding her secret identity. The masked thief Gil-dong handed over proof of palace corruption. At the same time, Eun-jo received shocking personal news that threatens her freedom.
The episode, which first aired on January 5, 2026, pushed the plot forward with romantic tension and dangerous political games. Viewers saw the consequences of Gil-dong’s actions and a new personal problem for Eun-jo.
Main Story Points of Episode 3
The third episode focused on several key events. These moments changed the direction of the story for the main characters.
- The Ledger of Corruption: A detailed record of corrupt activities reached Eun-jo. She later gave this evidence to Yi Yeol in her secret identity as the thief Gil-dong.
- Swift Palace Justice: Using the evidence, Yi Yeol acted quickly. He went directly to the King, leading to the arrest of a corrupt Chief Inspector. Lands stolen from common people were returned.
- A Forced Arrangement: Eun-jo learned she is expected to marry a much older man. This arrangement was made by her family and she has no say in it.
- A Tense Confrontation: The episode ended with a high-stakes argument. Jae-i found Eun-jo with Yi Yeol and made a threat. This created a dangerous situation for Eun-jo’s secret.
A Growing Connection Amidst Secrets
The relationship between Eun-jo and Yi Yeol became more complicated in this episode. After their kiss in the previous episode, Yi Yeol searched for Eun-jo. He wanted to talk about what happened.
When he found her, Eun-jo called the kiss a “mistake” and an “impulse”. This hurt Yi Yeol, who felt a real connection. He does not know she is trying to protect her secret identity as Gil-dong.
In a touching moment, Eun-jo talked about her work. She mentioned the serious shortage of medicinal herbs at the Hyeminseo clinic where she works. She had no idea she was speaking to the Grand Prince himself.
The next day, carts full of herbs arrived at the clinic, surprising everyone. Eun-jo assumed Yi Yeol passed her concerns to the Prince, never realizing they are the same person.
This act of kindness made Eun-jo trust Yi Yeol more. It also showed viewers that Yi Yeol cares about the people, even while hiding his true position.
Gil-dong Delivers Evidence of Corruption
The plot to fight corruption took a big step forward. Inside the palace, a ledger containing detailed records of illegal activities was given to a corrupt Chief Inspector as a threat. He tried to burn it, but a maid took it first.
This ledger found its way to Eun-jo. That night, as Gil-dong, she delivered the important evidence to Yi Yeol. She trusted him to do the right thing with it.
Yi Yeol was shocked by what he read. He did not waste time. He went to the King and demanded justice. To make his case stronger, he used strong language, pretending the punishment was part of a bet. His plan worked immediately.
The Chief Inspector was arrested, and stolen property was given back to the slaves and commoners. When Eun-jo heard this news, she was amazed by how fast it happened. She still does not know the man who helped her is the Prince she is trying to avoid as Gil-dong.
Eun-jo’s Personal Crisis and a Sudden Confession
While fighting for justice, Eun-jo faced a terrible personal problem. She discovered she has been promised in marriage to a seventy-year-old man. This arrangement was made for family reasons, and she has no power to refuse it.
Jae-i, the grandson of the man she must marry, learned about it. He was horrified but expressed his worry in a harsh way. He told her to leave, which made Eun-jo feel scared and alone.
That night, Yi Yeol found Eun-jo looking very sad. He stayed with her quietly. In a vulnerable moment, he finally told her his true feelings.
Yi Yeol finally tells her he wishes to pursue her romantically, and his confession is vulnerable and honest.
Right after his confession, Jae-i opened the door and saw them together. He assumed Yi Yeol was Eun-jo’s secret lover. Jae-i then threatened to tell everyone about her arranged marriage.
The episode ended with extreme tension. Yi Yeol demanded to know who Jae-i was. Jae-i pulled Eun-jo close, challenging Yi Yeol to guess their relationship. This clash sets up serious problems for the next episode.
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Where to Watch To My Beloved Thief
New episodes of the drama are released regularly. The series is scheduled to have a total of 16 episodes. New episodes come out every Saturday and Sunday.
For international viewers, the show is available to stream on Viki in many regions. In Korea, it airs on KBS2 at 9:20 PM KST and is also available on Netflix and Wavve.
Episode 4 is set to air on January 11, 2026. Preview images show Prince Yi Yeol asking Eun-jo for a night-time meeting, continuing his direct pursuit of her.
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