KBS2โs ongoing historical romance, To My Beloved Thief, has viewers divided. This 16-episode series blends a classic โrighteous thiefโ story with a fantastical body-swap twist, starring Nam Ji-hyun and Moon Sang-min. Airing since January 3, 2026, the show has seen its ratings climb, recently hitting a new high of 7.5% for a key emotional moment. But does the unique premise deliver, or does it get lost in its own plot? Hereโs what you need to know to decide if itโs your next binge.
The Story and Setting of To My Beloved Thief
The drama is set in the Joseon era and follows Hong Eun-jo (Nam Ji-hyun), a physician who leads a secret double life. By day, she is a compassionate doctor. By night, she becomes the masked thief Hong Gil-dong, stealing from corrupt officials to help the poor. Her path collides with Prince Yi Yeol (Moon Sang-min), a royal who enjoys solving crimes and becomes obsessed with catching the thief.
Their cat-and-mouse game takes a wild turn when a magical bracelet causes their souls to swap bodies. Suddenly, the princeโs spirit is in the thiefโs body, and vice versa. This forces them to live each otherโs lives, navigating palace politics and secret identities while their feelings for each other grow more complicated.
Reasons to Watch To My Beloved Thief
The drama has won over a segment of its audience with several strong points. For many, the central appeal is the chemistry between the lead actors, Nam Ji-hyun and Moon Sang-min. Fans online praise their believable and charming dynamic, which forms the emotional core of the story.
The premise itself is a major draw. The combination of a Robin Hood-inspired heroine and a fantasy body-swap creates a mix of social justice commentary, romance, and humor that feels fresh for a historical drama. Viewers invested in the characters find the gradual development of the romance rewarding.
โTheir relationship develops quietly through small gestures and unspoken feelings making it feel believable and grounded,โ noted one viewer on a popular review site.
Furthermore, the show has demonstrated consistent growth in viewership. Starting at a 4.3% nationwide rating, it has built momentum, achieving its highest average rating of 7.3% for its twelfth episode. This upward trend suggests the story is holding audience interest as it progresses.
Criticisms and Viewer Concerns
Despite its strengths, To My Beloved Thief has faced pointed criticism, primarily focused on its execution after the pivotal soul swap. The most common complaint is that the acting fails to convincingly portray the swapped souls.
Reviewers point out that after the swap, Nam Ji-hyunโs performance does not show enough change in posture, speech, or mannerism to suggest a manโs soul is inside her characterโs body. Similarly, Moon Sang-minโs portrayal is criticized for not reflecting a womanโs soul within him. This makes a central plot point feel superficial.
โShe utterly fails to sell this transformation. There is no physicality, no change in speech, posture, or emotional rhythm that suggests a man inhabiting a womanโs body,โ wrote one detailed review, drawing an unfavorable comparison to the acclaimed body-swap drama Mr. Queen.
Other criticisms involve the historical setting and character logic. Some viewers feel the drama takes too many liberties, creating a โJoseon-liteโ world where characters, especially the female lead, move with a freedom that contradicts the eraโs strict social hierarchies, seemingly for plot convenience. The behavior of the prince has also been noted as lacking the gravity expected of his royal station.
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Where to Watch To My Beloved Thief
For international viewers, To My Beloved Thief is accessible on popular streaming platforms. The series is available with multiple subtitle options on Viki. It also streams on Kocowa and OnDemandKorea for subscribers in specific regions. New episodes air on KBS2 every Saturday and Sunday at 21:20 Korea Standard Time.
The drama is currently on air, with its final episode scheduled for February 22, 2026. The soundtrack features artists like Ha Sung-woon and Kassy, adding to the showโs romantic and emotional atmosphere.
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