The weekend drama on KBS2 is keeping viewers on the edge of their seats as To My Beloved Thief delivered one of its most intense episodes yet. Episode 14, which aired on February 15, 2026, brought rising tension, a heartbreaking confession, and a passionate kiss between Hong Eun-jo (Nam Ji Hyun) and Lee Yi-yeol (Moon Sang Min) as danger closed in from all sides. With the king’s health deteriorating and royal soldiers actively searching for the mysterious thief Gil Dong, the stakes have never been higher for the star-crossed lovers .
The episode recorded solid viewership numbers, scoring 6.4% nationwide according to Nielsen Korea, with a peak of 6.9% during the intense scene where soldiers began their search for Gil Dong . These ratings show the growing audience interest as the drama approaches its final episodes.
The King’s Health Takes a Turn for the Worse
A major plot point in Episode 14 centers on King Lee Gyu (Ha Seok-jin), whose mental state continues to deteriorate. The monarch, already consumed by paranoia and madness, becomes increasingly unstable as the search for Gil Dong intensifies. His worsening condition adds another layer of danger for both Eun-jo and Yi-yeol, as the king’s unpredictable behavior threatens everyone around him .
In previous episodes, viewers watched as King Lee Gyu descended further into madness, and Episode 14 shows this decline reaching a critical point. His obsession with capturing the thief and his suspicion toward his own brother create an atmosphere of constant threat throughout the palace .
The king’s deteriorating health is particularly dangerous for Eun-jo, who finds herself directly in his line of sight. When the monarch, driven by madness, turns his blade toward her, Yi-yeol has no choice but to take a drastic step. He dons a butcher’s mask and steps forward, fully embracing the identity of Gil Dong to protect the woman he loves .
This moment marks a significant transformation for Yi-yeol. Moon Sang Min’s portrayal of a prince willingly becoming the very thief the palace hunts showcases his character’s growth and his absolute commitment to Eun-jo. The actor’s performance simultaneously projects the noble dignity of a royal and the sharp spirit of a bandit, creating what critics are calling a “dual performance” worthy of someone playing two roles .
Eun-jo’s Desperate Confession: “Arrest Me. I Am Gil Dong”
The emotional weight of Episode 14 builds on the dramatic ending of Episode 13, where Eun-jo made a shocking public confession. In the previous episode, she stepped forward and declared, “Arrest me. I am Gil Dong,” stunning everyone present and marking the most dramatic turning point in the series so far .
Her decision to claim she is the thief comes from a place of deep love and desperation. She realizes that Yi-yeol could become the real victim of the royal order targeting Gil Dong, and she chooses to sacrifice herself to protect him. This bold move immediately became the highlight of the night and pushed nationwide ratings to 6.9%, with a peak of 7.9% per minute during the confession scene .
Earlier, when she found Yi-yeol gravely injured, she held his hand and confessed her fear of losing him, saying, “You cannot sleep for too long. I have forgotten how to survive the winter alone” . These words reveal just how deeply she has come to depend on him, making her willingness to sacrifice herself all the more poignant.
The Emotional Kiss That Viewers Can’t Stop Talking About
Despite the danger surrounding them, Episode 14 gives fans a moment of pure romance. With royal soldiers searching everywhere and the threat of separation looming over them, Eun-jo and Yi-yeol share a quiet, emotional night together. Knowing this could be their last moments as free people, they hold each other close and share a kiss filled with desperation and love .
Moon Sang Min delivers what many are calling his most powerful romantic scene yet. Before the kiss, he confesses to Eun-jo, “My dream was always you,” a line that has left viewers deeply moved . The confession carries extra weight because it comes at a moment when they face almost certain separation.
Critics are praising Moon’s performance in this scene. His deep gaze and emotional control solidify his position as a “romance craftsman,” according to entertainment reports . The kiss represents not just romantic passion but the characters’ determination to hold onto each other despite the overwhelming odds against them.
Earlier in the episode, Yi-yeol had told Eun-jo, “I saw Joseon through a woman’s eyes. No matter where that path leads, I want to go with you” . This declaration of unwavering trust and commitment sets the stage for their emotional goodbye.
Yi-yeol’s Transformation: From Prince to Gildong
One of the most compelling aspects of Episode 14 is Moon Sang Min’s portrayal of Yi-yeol’s complete transformation. After being ambushed and standing at the brink of death, Yi-yeol miraculously regains consciousness thanks to Eun-jo’s desperate nursing . From that moment on, he takes control of the narrative with renewed purpose.
When Im Jae-yi (Hong Min-gi) accuses him of being Gil Dong, Moon delicately portrays the strange bond beneath the hostility, completing the relationships between characters in a multidimensional way . His performance shows the character’s internal growth and boasts deeper intensity than previous episodes.
The moment Yi-yeol dons the butcher’s mask and steps forward to protect Eun-jo from the king’s blade represents his complete embrace of his new identity. He becomes “a prince turned Gildong,” sending shivers through the audience . This transformation is visually projected through Moon’s acting, showing viewers the character’s journey without needing lengthy explanations.
Moon Sang Min simultaneously radiates the noble dignity of a prince and the sharp spirit of a thief, moving between two polar identities with subtle precision . Critics note that this performance is comparable to his recent soul-change situation from earlier episodes, but perhaps even more powerful because it represents a conscious choice rather than magical circumstance .
Rising Ratings Show Growing Audience Engagement
The emotional intensity of Episodes 13 and 14 has clearly resonated with viewers. Nielsen Korea reported that Episode 14 recorded 6.4% nationwide ratings, with the scene where royal soldiers began searching for Gil Dong peaking at 6.9% . These numbers continue the upward trend for the series, which premiered with 4.3% and 4.5% in early January .
The peak moment of Episode 13 reached even higher, hitting 7.9% per minute during Eun-jo’s dramatic confession that she is Gil Dong . These ratings demonstrate how effectively the drama is building tension and emotional investment as it heads toward its conclusion.
The production team’s earlier promise that “amid repeated dangers, their romance will grow even deeper” has proven accurate . Viewers are responding to the combination of political thriller elements and heartfelt romance, making To My Beloved Thief one of the most talked-about weekend dramas.
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Where to Watch and What’s Next
To My Beloved Thief airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:20 PM KST on KBS2 in South Korea . For international viewers, the drama is available on Viki worldwide, with subtitles in multiple languages . Some regions in Asia can also stream on Wavve .
The drama is scheduled for a total of 16 episodes, meaning only two episodes remain after this weekend’s broadcast . Episode 15 is set to air on February 21, 2026, with the finale following on February 22, 2026 .
For viewers in different time zones, Episode 15 will become available on Viki at approximately 2pm GMT / 10am ET on February 21, though subtitle completion times may vary slightly . Each episode runs about 70 minutes .
As the drama enters its final stretch, fans are eagerly waiting to see whether Eun-jo and Yi-yeol can overcome the crisis facing them. With Eun-jo having confessed to being Gil Dong and the king’s condition worsening, the path forward looks increasingly dangerous. The emotional kiss they shared may truly have been their last moment of peace before the storm ahead .
Also Read: Kang Doo-joon’s Bold Public Confession Shocks Everyone in Positively Yours Episode 9
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