The KBS2 weekend drama To My Beloved Thief wrapped up its 16-episode run on February 22, 2026, and viewers are still buzzing about the finale. The historical romance starring Nam Ji-hyun and Moon Sang-min delivered an ending that had fans reaching for tissues and smiling at the same time. According to Nielsen Korea, the final episode recorded 7.6% nationwide ratings, with a peak of 8.4% during a touching scene between Lee Yeol and his young nephew .
The drama, written by Lee Sun and directed by Ham Young-geol, followed the story of Hong Eun-jo (Nam Ji-hyun), a female physician who secretly works as a righteous thief named Gil Dong, and Prince Yi Yeol (Moon Sang-min), the investigator tasked with capturing her . Their paths crossed, souls swapped, and love blossomed against the backdrop of Joseon-era political intrigue. The finale brought every thread together in a way that satisfied longtime viewers.
The Final Confrontation: Eun-jo Faces Im Sa-hyung Alone
The final episode opened with tension at its highest. Im Sa-hyung (Choi Won-young), the ambitious villain who had lost everything, was desperate and dangerous. After falling from grace, he set his sights on destroying Hong Eun-jo. But Eun-jo was not the same woman who started this journey. She faced him down without wavering, risking her own life to outsmart him and finally subdue the threat he posed .
What made this confrontation different from typical drama climaxes was the absence of a grand sword fight. Instead, the show focused on Eun-jo’s courage and clever thinking. She used her wits rather than weapons, staying true to her character as someone who heals rather than harms .
Meanwhile, Lee Yeol discovered a letter left behind by Im Sa-hyung and rushed to save Eun-jo. He arrived just in time, narrowly averting disaster. The moment highlighted how far their relationship had come from the early days when they were hunter and prey. Now, they were partners who would risk everything for each other .
Recovery and Quiet Moments: Healing Together
After the danger passed, Eun-jo recuperated at Lee Yeol’s quarters. The drama gave viewers something they had been waiting for peaceful, quiet time between the leads. Without the pressure of chasing criminals or hiding identities, they simply spent time together and strengthened their bond .
These scenes reminded audiences why the “Dodo Couple” (a combination of thief and Prince Dowol) had captured hearts worldwide. Nam Ji-hyun and Moon Sang-min brought warmth and authenticity to every shared glance and gentle conversation . The chemistry that drove the drama to the TOP 5 on global OTT platforms like Rakuten Viki was on full display .
The Impossible Choice: Crown or Love?
But happiness never comes easily in sageuk dramas. Heavy realities stood in Lee Yeol’s way. His duty as a member of the royal family, his confused young nephew who needed guidance, and a court that would never accept a marriage between a prince and a commoner all created barriers .
Lee Yeol spent time agonizing over his choices. He understood that trying to hold onto both the crown and Eun-jo would only bring pain to everyone involved. The court would fight any attempt at a royal wedding, and his nephew needed a stable environment to grow into his future role .
In the end, Lee Yeol made a decision that defined his character. He chose love over power. He decided to forgo the royal wedding entirely and made plans to abdicate in favor of his nephew in the future. Before leaving, he placed a ring on Eun-jo’s finger as a promise that he would return. Hong Eun-jo, understanding the weight of his sacrifice, vowed to wait for him .
The Flower Shoes Moment: Running Toward Love
Time passed, and the drama delivered one of its most beautiful images. Hong Eun-jo, wearing flower shoes, ran toward Lee Yeol as he finally returned to her. The scene symbolized their love coming full circle. From the early days of chasing each other through the streets of Joseon to running toward each other in joy, their journey had reached its destination .
This moment resonated deeply with viewers because it showed patience rewarded and promises kept. Eun-jo’s run was not just physical movement it was the culmination of everything she had fought for .
The Childhood Connection Revealed
The finale also revealed a secret that added even more depth to their relationship. The girl who once saved a young Lee Yeol from drowning in the river was none other than Hong Eun-jo herself .
This discovery connected to Eun-jo’s earlier wish in the drama: “If there is another life, I hope to be with the prince.” The revelation showed that their bond was not just about the present circumstances but was written in fate itself. They were always meant to find each other, no matter the obstacles .
The Modern Day Epilogue: Love Beyond Time
Just when viewers thought the story was over, To My Beloved Thief offered one more gift. An epilogue showed both characters in the modern day, reuniting by fate once again .
This bonus scene confirmed that their love was stronger than time itself. The modern setting let audiences imagine what Eun-jo and Lee Yeol would be like in contemporary Seoul, free from the constraints of Joseon society. It was a sweet reward for viewers who had followed their journey through 16 episodes of political intrigue, soul-swapping chaos, and heartfelt romance .
Fans immediately took to social media to express their joy. One viewer on MyDramaList wrote, “The ending was perfect! But the bonus ending scene?!?! Omg omg that melted me. I didnt even need it, didn’t even know I wanted it until I saw it” . Another fan commented on Dramabeans, “I’m squee-ing over the fact that in my opinion, ‘My Beloved Thief’ totally stuck the landing. Absolutely loved the final two episodes of this excellent drama” .
What the Ending Means: Justice and Love Win
Looking at the bigger picture, the ending of To My Beloved Thief delivered on multiple levels. The villains faced consequences for their actions. Im Sa-hyung’s schemes crumbled, and justice prevailed not through violence but through the collective action of people who believed in doing what was right .
One of the most powerful images in the finale showed dozens of citizens dressed in black appearing on rooftops throughout the city, all posing as Gil Dong. The message was clear: Gil Dong had started as one person, but the idea of justice belonged to everyone now .
For the leads, the ending was bittersweet but ultimately hopeful. Lee Yeol gave up his position not because he was forced to, but because he understood that true love meant putting Eun-jo first. And Eun-jo, who started the series as a woman fighting alone against an unfair world, ended it with a partner who chose her above all else .
Global Reaction and Ratings Success
The finale’s 7.6% rating proves that viewers connected with this ending . But the numbers only tell part of the story. To My Beloved Thief performed strongly on global platforms throughout its run. In its first week on Rakuten Viki, it entered the weekly TOP 5 in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania. In Southeast Asia, it actually rose to number one immediately after broadcast .
The drama also ranked fourth in the TV-OTT drama buzz rankings from FUNdex, a specialized K-content competitiveness analysis agency . These numbers reflect what viewers felt the chemistry between Nam Ji-hyun and Moon Sang-min, the tight writing from Lee Sun, and the satisfying resolution to a story about love, justice, and identity.
The Performances That Made It Work
Much of the finale’s emotional weight rested on the shoulders of its lead actors. Nam Ji-hyun, already known as a “sageuk goddess” for her work in historical dramas, brought depth and courage to Hong Eun-jo . She made viewers believe in a woman who could heal the sick by day and steal from the corrupt by night, all while falling in love with the man trying to catch her.
Moon Sang-min, as the breakout star of the drama, showed growth throughout the series . His Lee Yeol started as a prince who treated investigations like intellectual games and ended as a man willing to give up everything for love. The journey required subtle shifts in performance, and Moon delivered at every step.
The supporting cast also contributed to the finale’s success. Hong Min-gi as Im Jae-i, Choi Won-young as the villain Im Sa-hyung, and Ha Seok-jin as Lee Gyu all brought depth to their roles . Even Lee Seung-woo as Dae-chu, the prince’s loyal bodyguard, added moments of humor and warmth that balanced the heavier scenes .
Where to Watch To My Beloved Thief
For those who missed the broadcast or want to experience the finale again, To My Beloved Thief is available on multiple streaming platforms. Viewers in various regions can find the series on Netflix and Rakuten Viki, where it maintained strong viewership throughout its run . The drama consists of 16 episodes, each running approximately 70-75 minutes .
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Final Thoughts on the Ending
The finale of To My Beloved Thief gave viewers everything they wanted justice for the villains, a happy ending for the leads, and an extra scene that confirmed their love transcended time. It was bittersweet in the sense that Lee Yeol had to give up his position, but the show made it clear that he gained something far more valuable in return .
The drama succeeded because it never lost sight of its core message: love requires courage, justice belongs to everyone, and fate has a way of bringing people together. From the soul-swapping chaos of early episodes to the quiet promises of the finale, To My Beloved Thief remained true to its characters and its story.
For fans of historical romance, this drama delivered exactly what the genre promises and then added something extra with the modern-day epilogue. It was a reminder that some stories are worth telling across centuries, and some love stories deserve to be told twice.
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