The hit KBS 2TV drama To My Beloved Thief delivered a tense and emotionally charged episode 15 on February 21, 2026, as the series hurtles toward its finale. The episode saw Moon Sang Min‘s character Yi-yeol stepping up in a major way after a peaceful period was shattered by a sudden, violent attack on Nam Ji Hyun‘s Hong Eun-jo. With ratings hitting a new personal best of 7.7% nationwide and peaking at 8.5% during key scenes, the episode left viewers on the edge of their seats .
The drama, which premiered on January 3, 2026, has followed the story of Eun-jo, a woman living a double life as the righteous bandit Gil-dong, and Yi-yeol, a nobleman and prince whose soul mysteriously swaps with hers whenever they are in danger . As the 16-episode series approaches its conclusion, episode 15 focused on the consequences of their successful coup and the lingering threat from those they defeated .
A Brief Peace After the Coup
Episode 15 began on a hopeful note following the events where Yi-yeol and Eun-jo successfully exposed the tyrannical Lee Gyu (Ha Seok-jin) and the treacherous official Im Sa-hyeong (Choi Won-young). The coup concluded without bloodshed, thanks to their efforts and the people who rallied by claiming they were all Gil-dong .
After ascending the throne, Yi-yeol immediately threw himself into his royal duties. He worked tirelessly, burning the midnight oil to create a world where Eun-jo would no longer need to steal. His experiences on the run with her gave him firsthand knowledge of the people’s hardships, and he was determined to resolve them .
The romance between the leads deepened during this period of peace. Yi-yeol sent letters to Eun-jo every single day, expressing how much he missed her. His genuine affection allowed Eun-jo to stop her life as a bandit and finally sleep peacefully for the first time in a long while .
Eun-jo, in turn, visited the palace to care for Yi-yeol, who had been spending sleepless nights longing for her. She personally prepared medicine for him. The couple also took time to reflect on their unique connection, realizing that their souls had swapped during every dangerous moment they faced. This realization led Eun-jo to make a firm promise to protect herself well, not just for her own sake, but for Yi-yeol’s as well .
One particularly touching moment came through Eun-jo’s letter to Yi-yeol, where she wrote with warm affection:
“I will carry away the longing of Yi-yeol, so may you sleep deeply and for a long time.”
This simple exchange showed how much they wished for each other’s well-being and happiness.
The Sudden Crisis: Im Sa-hyeong’s Attack
Just when everything seemed to be settling into a peaceful rhythm, episode 15 took a sharp turn into tension. Im Sa-hyeong, who was on the verge of exile, discovered the truth about Eun-jo’s identity. He pieced together that she was Gil-dong based on a conversation he overheard involving his son, Im Jae-i (Hong Min-gi) .
Burning with vengeance, Im Sa-hyeong became a new threat. In an unexpected twist, he managed to escape from confinement in the state prison, leaving everyone on edge about where he would strike next .
The most shocking moment came when Eun-jo was returning home after visiting Yi-yeol at the palace. Im Sa-hyeong suddenly appeared before her, driven to the extreme by his hatred and venomous rage. He held a blade to her neck and revealed that he knew her secret, saying, “You ruined everything, Gil-dong” .
This confrontation was not just a physical threat but an emotional one that tested the bond between the leads. In that terrifying moment, Eun-jo snapped the string bracelet that had always glowed whenever her and Yi-yeol’s souls swapped during times of danger. This action raised immediate questions among viewers about whether their connection would still work and if they could protect each other from this final threat .
Yi-yeol Takes a Stand
The title of episode 15, focusing on Yi-yeol taking responsibility, became clear in the aftermath of the attack. Upon learning what happened to Eun-jo, Yi-yeol realized that his duties as king were not just about ruling from the palace. He understood that protecting the people, especially the woman he loved, required direct action.
Rather than sending soldiers or staying safely behind palace walls, Yi-yeol made the decision to take a personal stand against Im Sa-hyeong. This marked a significant character moment for Moon Sang Min‘s character, who had evolved from a nobleman chasing a bandit to a king willing to risk everything for justice and love.
The episode highlighted that despite their successful change in leadership, the roots of corruption and revenge still needed to be pulled out completely. Yi-yeol’s sense of responsibility extended beyond the throne to every individual who helped them achieve their goals, especially Eun-jo, who had sacrificed so much.
Ratings Success and Viewer Response
Episode 15 proved to be a massive hit with audiences. According to Nielsen Korea, the episode recorded nationwide household ratings of 7.7% , setting a new personal best for the series. The scene showing Yi-yeol’s enthronement reached a peak of 8.5% , demonstrating the strong viewer investment in the characters’ journeys .
The tension in the final moments, with Im Sa-hyeong’s blade at Eun-jo’s neck and her snapping the protective bracelet, had fans anxiously awaiting the series finale. The episode successfully balanced the warm, romantic moments between the leads with the high-stakes danger that has defined their relationship throughout the series.
Cast Reflections on Favorite Scenes
As the drama approaches its end, lead actors Nam Ji Hyun and Moon Sang Min recently shared their favorite moments from the series .
Nam Ji Hyun chose a scene where Yi-yeol comes to find Eun-jo after she had a big fight with Im Jae-i. She explained why this moment stood out to her:
“This is the moment when Eun-jo realizes that she is truly someone precious to him and someone he cannot let go, which makes her determined to stay away from him. I liked this scene because it clearly shows Eun-jo’s conflicting emotions. I think this scene beautifully captures the attraction and fear you feel simultaneously when you meet someone you know will have a profound impact on your life.”
This reflection from the actress gives viewers deeper insight into Eun-jo’s emotional journey throughout the drama. Her character has consistently struggled between her desire for connection and her instinct to protect herself and others by staying distant.
The actors’ choices for their favorite scenes show how much thought and care they put into understanding their characters’ motivations and emotional arcs. With only one episode remaining, fans are eager to see how Eun-jo and Yi-yeol’s story will conclude.
What Happened in Episode 15
For those who need a quick summary, here are the key events from To My Beloved Thief episode 15:
- Yi-yeol ascends the throne and begins working hard to improve conditions for common people based on his experiences with Eun-jo
- Eun-jo stops her life as a bandit and visits Yi-yeol at the palace, bringing him medicine and care
- The couple confirms that their souls swap during dangerous moments and promise to protect each other
- Im Sa-hyeong escapes from prison after learning Eun-jo is Gil-dong from his son Im Jae-i
- Im Sa-hyeong ambushes Eun-jo on her way home, holding a knife to her neck
- Eun-jo snaps the bracelet that connected her to Yi-yeol, leaving viewers questioning if their soul-swapping bond still works
The episode set up a major conflict for the finale, with Yi-yeol now fully aware of his responsibility to protect not just the kingdom, but the woman who changed his life.
Where to Watch To My Beloved Thief
To My Beloved Thief airs on KBS 2TV every Saturday and Sunday at 9:20 p.m. KST . For international viewers, the drama is available on the streaming platform Viki, which provides subtitles in multiple languages including English and Indonesian .
The series consists of 16 episodes, each running approximately 70 minutes . Episode 15 aired on February 21, 2026, with the finale scheduled for February 22, 2026 .
Viewers in different regions can check Viki for specific availability:
- USA: Available on Viki with English subtitles
- UK: Available on Viki
- Canada: Available on Viki
- Australia: Available on Viki
- India: Available on Viki with subtitles
The streaming platform typically adds new episodes within 24 hours of the Korean broadcast, making it accessible for global audiences to follow along with the gripping story.
The Bracelet’s Meaning
One of the most significant elements in episode 15 was the string bracelet that Eun-jo snapped when threatened by Im Sa-hyeong. Throughout the series, this bracelet has glowed whenever the souls of Yi-yeol and Eun-jo swapped during moments of extreme danger. It served as both a visual cue for viewers and a tangible connection between the two characters.
By breaking it herself, Eun-jo may have been trying to protect Yi-yeol from whatever danger she was about to face. Perhaps she believed that severing their connection would prevent him from swapping into her body and getting hurt. Alternatively, the act could have been a desperate move to trigger a swap and escape her attacker.
The moment was deliberately ambiguous, leaving fans with many questions heading into the finale. Will the bracelet’s magic still work even though it’s broken? Can Yi-yeol sense that Eun-jo is in danger without the physical connection? These unanswered questions have made the wait for episode 16 even more intense.
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The Cast’s Chemistry
A major reason for the drama’s success has been the believable chemistry between Nam Ji Hyun and Moon Sang Min. Their portrayals of two people whose souls literally swap bodies have required them to play multiple versions of their characters throughout the series.
In interviews leading up to the finale, both actors expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work on such a unique project. The fantasy-romance genre allowed them to explore different dynamics, from the initial cat-and-mouse chase to the deep trust and love that developed between their characters.
Choi Won-young as the villain Im Sa-hyeong has also received praise for his chilling performance. His character’s descent into vengeful madness in episode 15 set the stage for what promises to be an explosive confrontation in the finale.
Hong Min-ki, playing Im Jae-i, has portrayed the complicated son caught between loyalty to his father and his own growing feelings for Eun-jo. His conversation that accidentally revealed Eun-jo’s identity added another layer of tragedy to his character arc.
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