The ongoing KBS2 weekend drama To My Beloved Thief has captured the hearts of viewers with its unique blend of Joseon-era action, romance, and a fantasy body-swap twist. As the series approaches its finale on February 22, 2026, the two leads, Nam Ji Hyun and Moon Sang Min, have been sharing personal insights into the project. In recent interviews, the actors revealed which scenes and dialogues from the drama resonated with them the most, giving fans a deeper look into their characters and the story’s emotional core.
Nam Ji Hyun Cherishes The Rain-Shelter Meeting
For Nam Ji Hyun, who plays the dual role of the compassionate daytime physician and the night-time thief Hong Eun Jo, one particular scene stands out above the rest. The actress, known for her previous works in 100 Days My Prince and Little Women, pointed to the first meaningful encounter between Eun Jo and Prince Yi Yeol during a sudden downpour .
“The scene where we take shelter from the rain is very special to me,” Nam Ji Hyun shared. This moment, which occurs in the first episode, is where the two protagonists, both dressed uncharacteristically—Eun Jo in fine silks and Yi Yeol in commoner’s rags—truly see each other for the first time. The actress highlighted how the scene perfectly captures the push-and-pull dynamic of their relationship.
“Even though they are bickering and hiding their true identities, you can feel a genuine connection forming. It was a beautiful way to establish their chemistry,” Nam Ji Hyun explained. “Shooting that scene felt magical because it wasn’t just about the words; it was about the unspoken understanding in the glances. It sets the foundation for everything that follows.”
Nam Ji Hyun also noted a specific line from that encounter that she believes defines her character’s strength. When Yi Yeol arrogantly dismisses her help, Eun Jo calmly stands her ground. The actress recalled the line, “You don’t have to thank me, but you should at least understand the situation I just saved you from” . She described it as a perfect example of Eun Jo’s nature: she is pragmatic, kind, but never a pushover.
Moon Sang Min Picks The Unforgettable First Kiss
For Moon Sang Min, who takes on his first leading role in a historical drama as the mischievous and sharp-witted Prince Yi Yeol, the most impactful scene was a surprising and bold move by Eun Jo. The actor, who gained massive popularity in Under the Queen’s Umbrella, revealed that the unexpected kiss at the end of the first episode left a strong impression on him .
After their rain-shelter meeting, Yi Yeol asks Eun Jo to meet him again. When she accidentally passes by the spot, believing it might be her last night of freedom before a forced marriage, she makes a spontaneous decision. She runs up to the prince and kisses him directly on the lips before fleeing into the night.
“That kiss scene was pivotal for understanding Yi Yeol,” Moon Sang Min said. “He is a prince who is always in control, always playing a game of investigation and intellect. But in that moment, Eun Jo completely disarms him. She steals a kiss, and from then on, she has essentially stolen his attention and his heart.”
The actor laughed as he recalled the filming process, noting how the scene perfectly encapsulates the drama’s playful tone. He also expressed admiration for a line Yi Yeol mutters after the kiss: “You really are a thief” . “It’s such a simple line, but it works on so many levels,” Moon Sang Min added. “He’s calling her a thief for stealing a kiss, but unknowingly, he’s also talking about the very thief, Hong Gil-dong, he is hunting. It was a brilliant piece of writing that ties the romance and the action together instantly.”
Memorable Lines That Define Their Characters
Beyond the key romantic moments, both actors took time to reflect on the dialogue that has helped shape their characters throughout the 16-episode run .
Nam Ji Hyun selected a heartbreaking line from a later episode that deals with Eun Jo’s status as the illegitimate daughter of a nobleman and a slave. “There is a moment where she says something along the lines of, ‘I am used to being invisible. It is how I survive,’” Nam Ji Hyun recalled. “This line explains why she is so good at being a thief. Society has forced her to exist in the shadows, and she has turned that necessity into a way to help others. It is sad, but it also shows her incredible resilience.”
Moon Sang-min, meanwhile, focused on a line that reveals the depth of Prince Yi Yeol’s seemingly carefree personality. While discussing his relationship with his older brother, the King, Yeol once remarks, “It is safer for everyone if they think I am just a fool who likes to chase rumors” . The actor explained that this line was key for him to understand the prince’s motivations. “He pretends to be lazy and uninterested in power to survive the dangerous politics of the royal court. But beneath that mask is a man deeply committed to justice. Finding that balance in every scene was the most exciting challenge.”
The Body Swap Challenge
As the drama enters its final weeks, the introduction of a fantasy element where the two leads swap bodies has added a new layer of complexity to their performances . Both actors acknowledged the difficulty and fun of portraying each other’s mannerisms.
Moon Sang Min noted that playing Yi Yeol trapped inside Eun Jo’s body required him to observe Nam Ji Hyun’s acting closely. “I had to study how she holds herself, how she speaks, and her subtle gestures. It was a fantastic acting exercise,” he said.
Nam Ji Hyun echoed the sentiment, adding that the body-swap scenes have provided some of the most entertaining moments for the cast. “We had a lot of laughs on set trying to mimic each other,” she said. “I hope the audience enjoys watching these scenes as much as we enjoyed filming them. It brings a fresh and funny dynamic to the love story.”
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A Return to Sageuk and A First Lead Role
For both actors, To My Beloved Thief represents a significant moment in their careers. Nam Ji Hyun returns to the historical drama genre after an eight-year gap since her hit show 100 Days My Prince . She admitted that wearing the Hanbok again felt both familiar and new. “Sageuk (historical drama) has a special language and a slower, more deliberate way of expressing emotions. It was wonderful to come back to that world with such a modern and strong character like Eun Jo.”
For Moon Sang Min, who is experiencing the pressure and excitement of leading a major network drama for the first time, the experience has been a learning curve. “I feel a great sense of responsibility,” he confessed. “But working with a senior actress like Nam Ji Hyun, who is so experienced and kind, has made the journey much smoother. I am learning something new on set every single day.”
As the series builds toward its conclusion on February 22, fans are eagerly waiting to see how the love story between the righteous thief and the detective prince will end. With the recent soul-swapping twist adding chaos to their relationship, viewers can expect a mix of hilarious misunderstandings and heartfelt moments . The drama airs weekly on KBS2 and is available for streaming on various platforms for global audiences .
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