After the shocking kiss in the rain, Episode 2 of To My Beloved Thief picks up with both characters in confusion. Hong Eun-jo runs away, while Prince Yi-yeol is left behind, trying to understand what happened. This episode shows Yi-yeol’s search for the mysterious woman and Eun-jo’s continued double life as the secret helper of the poor, a situation made more complicated when the prince unknowingly meets his thief.
The Morning After the Impulsive Kiss
Prince Yi-yeol cannot stop thinking about the kiss. He does not know the woman’s name or why she kissed him. In an attempt to find answers, he summons the court ladies of the palace to ask for their opinions on what such an act could mean, without revealing it happened to him. The ladies all agree that a kiss like that comes from love, and the woman likely ran because the relationship felt impossible. This talk strengthens Yi-yeol’s wish to find her.
Eun-jo is just as troubled. She speaks to her mother about her feelings but describes it as a story from a book. Her mother says such an act from an engaged woman is improper, which adds to Eun-jo’s inner conflict about her upcoming forced marriage.
Eun-jo’s Double Life as Gil-dong Continues
While dealing with her personal feelings, Eun-jo continues her secret work. At night, she becomes Hong Gil-dong, the masked thief known for stealing from the rich to help the poor. In this episode, she takes rice and seaweed from the house of the corrupt Chief Censor Kim and delivers it to a poor widow in her village.
This act of kindness backfires when Chief Kim discovers the stolen goods at the widow’s home and tries to punish her. Eun-jo, acting as the physician Hong Eun-jo, steps in to save the widow. She cleverly tells Chief Kim the widow is her patient and suggests someone else left the supplies. This event shows the constant risk Eun-jo faces and how her two lives can dangerously overlap.
Yi-yeol’s Investigation and an Unexpected Offer
Prince Yi-yeol’s official duty is to find the thief Gil-dong. After hearing the widow’s story about Gil-dong’s regular help, Yi-yeol figures out the thief might strike again at the same house. He waits on a rooftop near Chief Kim’s home.
That night, Eun-jo, dressed as Gil-dong, goes back to the area. She is surprised to find Yi-yeol waiting. He still thinks Gil-dong is a man. Instead of arresting the thief, Yi-yeol makes a surprising offer. He says he does not mind the stealing from corrupt officials to help people, but asks Gil-dong to limit the actions to avoid getting caught. He wants to find a way to protect the thief while keeping order.
“I don’t mind you stealing from the rich and giving it to the poorโฆ but do it in a limited way so as not to get caught.”
Eun-jo, hidden behind her mask, is confused by his words. The meeting is interrupted when other guards spot Gil-dong. Believing Yi-yeol tricked her to buy time for the guards, Eun-jo escapes. In the confusion, Yi-yeol gets hurt trying to stop the guards from chasing the thief.
A Fateful Reunion at the Clinic
After losing Gil-dong’s trail, the injured Yi-yeol goes to the Hyeminseo clinic for treatment. Inside, he meets the physician on dutyโHong Eun-jo.
This is the moment both characters have been moving toward. Yi-yeol finally finds the woman from the market, realizing she is a physician. Eun-jo is faced with the prince she kissed, now in her professional space. The episode ends on this cliffhanger, setting up a complex situation where Yi-yeol has now met both of Eun-jo’s identities but does not know they are the same person.
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Other Key Moments in the Episode
The episode also included several other important events. Jae-i, the man Eun-jo is being forced to marry, tests her by making her perform an archery shot with her stepbrother as the target. Eun-jo expertly hits a more difficult target instead, showing her skill and strength.
Fans online have shared their excitement about the developing story. One viewer noted the growing “love square” between the characters and the mix of palace politics with personal drama. Another fan was particularly charmed by a poetic line from Yi-yeol, calling it a “declaration of love”.
The series, starring Nam Ji-hyun as Hong Eun-jo and Moon Sang-min as Prince Yi-yeol, airs new episodes every Saturday and Sunday. It is available for international viewers to stream on Viki.
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