Introduction
Set in the Joseon Dynasty, To My Beloved Thief is a historical romantic comedy that explores deep societal critiques through a unique soul-swap fantasy. The drama contrasts the lives of the “controlled” (commoners, slaves) and the “controllers” (royals, nobles). The Female Lead, born to a noble father and a slave mother, becomes a righteous thief to reclaim justice from corrupt officials who exploit the poor. Through the body-swap between the protagonists, the Male Lead gains a firsthand perspective on the systemic cruelty outside the palace walls. Meanwhile, for the Female Lead, her transformation into the legendary thief “Hong Gil Dong” is her one last chance to make a bold statement against her predestined fate.
Despite its heavy, underlying social injustice themes, the drama utilizes the historical romcom formula and character-driven plot to balance the dark, corrupt, and inequality in the Joseon period setting. Additionally, the classic fantasy trope of body-swap provides humor through the confusion, acting challenges, and role-reversals.
As usual, I provided the spoiler of the drama ending, both short answer and detailed answer, at the end of the article if anyone is curious.
Regarding the article title, we understand that as a thief, the Female Lead eventually steals the Male Lead’s heart. But stealing a kiss? Well, I won’t elaborate further. You just need to watch it!
Drama Info
Drama title: To My Beloved Thief (Native title: 은애하는 도적님아)
Alternative title: Eunaehaneun Dojeoknima
Genres: Historical, Comedy, Romance, Supernatural
Aired: 3 Jan, 2026 - 22 Feb, 2026
Episodes: 16 | Duration: 1h 10 minutes
Director: Ham Young Geol (함영걸)
Screenwriter: Lee Sun (이선)
Where to watch: Viki and Netflix (Korea)
OST
“Loving You” by Ha Sung Woon (하성운)
뭔가 잘못된 것 같아 (Something Feels Wrong) by Ju Wang (주왕), Keiju (케이주), and Dong Hyeon (동현) from KickFlip
“Again” by Kassy (케이시)
“Seen the Scene” by Ha Hyun Sang (하현상)
사랑한다 말할 수 있을까 (Can I Say I Love You/”Words I Never Said”) by Jung Seung Hwan (정승환)
어제도 오늘도 내일도 (“Everyday”) by Elaine Kim (일레인)
시간이 멈춰서 (Time Stopped/”Stealing Love”) by EB (최은빈)
Trailer
Synopsis
Born from a tryst between a nobleman and a slave woman, Hong Eun Jo is no stranger to the plight of the average person, especially after her father fell ill. By day, Eun Jo works as a doctor, but by night, she assumes the identity of “Hong Gil Dong,” a thief who steals from corrupt officials to spread wealth among those in need. Hong Gil Dong’s antics attract the attention of Prince Yi Yeol, who has a penchant for investigations and is personally intrigued by the mystery of the righteous thief, although most palace officials believe that he’s just joking around. Amidst his search, Yi Yeol runs into Eun Jo, falling in love at first sight – but when Yi Yeol and Eun Jo happen to swap bodies, secrets they both try to keep hidden risk getting out. (Source: Viki)
Characters
Main Characters
Nam Ji Hyun (남지현) as Hong Eun Jo / “Hong Gil Dong”
Born to a noble father and a servant mother, she grew up loved and educated. Then, suddenly, the family fell into decline. Eun Jo was the only one who could earn a wage to support the family. She became a physician at Hyeminseo Clinic.
Among her patients, she began to notice poor farmers and sick slaves exploited by corrupt officials. She secretly stole things that had been unfairly taken from the sick by the officials, until the patient recovered. Her deeds became famous, and people started calling the thief “friend on the road” or gil wiui dongmu (길 위의 동무), shortened to Gildong.
Moon Sang Min (문상민) as Yi Yeol / Grand Prince Do Wol
Unlike his outstanding appearance befitting a prince, his reputation is a good-for-nothing prince with a devil-may-care attitude, thoroughly according to his plan to keep him unnoticed and his mother safe.
Among the leisurely living royals, he likes playing detective at the police station and caught many criminals. That’s when Yeol came to know the theft cases of Gildong.
Hong Min Ki (홍민기) as Im Jae I
As the second son of Im Sa Hyeong, the Minister of War, Jae I lives under his father’s shadow.
It was a life that had to be lived in such obedience, a life where even one’s own desires had to belong to his father. Until a woman named Eun Jo entered the Im household.
Han So Eun (한소은) as Sin Hae Rim
The daughter of a prominent noble family and Jae I’s betrothed. As with most marriages among the nobles, her opinion was not considered. It was purely a political marriage.
Haerim lost her parents at an early age and was raised by a stern older brother. Therefore, she deliberately suppressed her emotions and only retained her gentle nature. Until she met Eun Jo and Yeol.
Relationship Chart
Supporting Characters
See the relationship chart. From left to right, top to bottom.
People around Eun Jo
Hong Min Jik – Eun Jo’s father | Chun Seom – Eun Jo’s mother | Hong Dae Il, – Eun Jo’s brother.
Dong Ju Daek and Seok Sam (left and right) are both slaves | Jeon Baek (middle) is the clinic servant.
People around Yeol
Yi Gyu – King of Joseon/Yeol’s half-brother | Queen Dowager – Yeol’s mother | Geum Nok – Gyu’s concubine.
Dae Chu – Yeol’s personal bodyguard | Inspector Kang Yun Bok and Sergeant Park from the police station.
People around Jae I
Im Sa Hyeong – Jae I’s father | Im Seung Jae – Jae I’s brother | Kim Seung Baek – friend
People around Hae Rim
Sin Jin Won – Hae Rim’s brother | Queen Sin – Hae Rim’s aunt
My Rating
My rating for this drama was based on MyDramaList’s scoring system, which is from 0.0 to 10.0. For any drama/movie/show I completed, I gave a minimum rating of 6.0 to appreciate the hard work of the production team, and to adjust to MyDramaList’s overall score base. From 6.0, this drama has additional scores of:
- + 1.0 for the story and plot.
- + 0.5 for the ending and rewatch value.
- + 1.0 for the characterization and acting.
- + 1.0 for visualization.
Thus, my final rating is 9.5/10. I will detail the reasons I rated the above features in the Review and My Critique sections.
Review
Story and Plot
To start with the story, this drama script won the Excellence Award at the 2nd Studio Dragon Drama Script Contest in 2020. If you watched the drama, you can tell that the dialogues, especially between Eun Jo and Yeol, feature poetic, mature, and emotionally charged dialogue that emphasizes deep, fated, and soulful connections over superficial relationships.
Let me give you an example, when they took shelter from the rain. After they accidentally met, where Eun Jo mistakenly thought that Yeol was a slave, and Yeol mistakenly thought that Eun Jo was a noble lady. Unintentionally, they explore the similarities and differences between them without revealing who they were, but both drop little hints about their true identities.
Eun Jo and Yeol’s conversations are the threads that build their chemistry. They are two well-versed and articulate people. Eun Jo, despite being born to a slave mother, was educated by her noble father. She and Yeol complement one another perfectly; their points of view are widened following the body swaps.
It’s an adult fairy tale
Adults enjoy romantic fairy tales because these stories offer a brief escape from the pressures of adult responsibilities and routines, and a safe space to indulge in fantasy and hope. Adult fairy tales provide emotional satisfaction through predictable happily ever after endings. Unlike real life, good triumphs over evil, and love conquers all.
In my opinion, To My Beloved Thief is considered a fairy tale because it weaves together elements of fantasy, magical realism, and romantic idealism within a historical setting, often mirroring the structure of classic tales. The narrative, which follows the physician-turned-thief Eun Jo and Prince Yi Yeol, creates a dreamlike narrative rather than a realistic historical drama.
Who is Hong Gil Dong?
No, I’m not talking about Eun Jo as “Hong Gil Dong”, but the “real” Hong Gil Dong. Hong Gildong is a legendary figure in Korean literature, often called the “Korean Robin Hood,” and the protagonist of the 17th-century Joseon novel The Story of Hong Gildong. As the brilliant but illegitimate son of a nobleman, he rebels against social injustice, steals from the corrupt, and eventually establishes his own kingdom. The historical inspiration for the character was the Korean bandit and folk hero Im Kkeokjeong, who lived in the early 16th century. (Source: Wikipedia)
The Magical Clichés
A cliché in drama is an overused, predictable plot point, character type, or dialogue phrase that has lost its original impact and freshness. These trite, unoriginal elements make stories feel inauthentic, relying on stereotypes rather than genuine emotional engagement.
There are two “magical” clichés in this drama. We already know one because it becomes the main plot, which is body swap. I will talk about it further in the next section. There is another cliché that I will mention below in a spoiler tag:
The cliché that becomes the catalyst that sets everything else in motion
The childhood connection cliché. But not the childhood sweetheart type connection. When Yeol was small, he fell from the boat. Little Eun Jo saw the incident and rescued him. However, her mother was looking for her, so after seeing that Yeol was breathing, she left him. They never knew each other before. Later, little Yeol went looking for his savior. He didn’t know if the person was young or adult, male or female. A mischievous Moon God, played by actor Kim Jae Wook, asked what Yeol would do if he met his savior. Yeol said he would save the person’s life, as the person had saved his life. Moon God then said, “let see if it’s a bluff.” When little Yeol asked his name, he said he didn’t have a name, just an old man from the moon.” But this God had monitored Yeol and Eun Jo until they were adults, transformed into a little monk, and gave them the magic bracelets which caused them switch bodies. He then met again as a stranger, asking her if she was satisfied with the man she loved, hahaha!
Moon God was also the man who sold them sky lanterns, with which Eun Jo and Yeol made their wishes. Eun Jo wished that she and Yeol would be together in their next life, but Yeol wished they would be together in this life. Moon God granted both wishes.
The Body-Swap Cliché that Works
The body-swap between Eun Jo and Yeol is triggered by mysterious bracelets and life-threatening moments, creating a pattern of “protective soul switches” that reinforce their fated connection. The swap more than just a comedic trope; it serves as a central narrative tool that breaks down class and gender barriers.
It forces the Grand Prince to experience the harsh reality of a commoner’s life, while Eun Jo must navigate the stifling politics of the royal palace. The swap is the primary way Yeol discovers Eun Jo’s secret identity as the legendary thief Gil Dong. By living in her body, he witnesses the disdain she faces from noble families and understands her motive for stealing—not for greed, but for the people. As Eun Jo, Yeol is forced to suppress his anger and maintain composure while being treated as a woman in a noble household. His finding leads to a deeper understanding of Eun Jo’s plight.
Some deleted scenes
Some deleted scenes that may enhance your enjoyment of watching the drama. Credit to natto at Dramabeans. I put them in spoiler tags.
Episode 8 – Eun Jo’s father picked up Eun Jo from the Im’s household and took her home
Episode 9 – Eun Jo’s fell asleep on Yeol’s shoulder. Their closeness makes him hot, lol!
Episode 10 – Im Jae I didn’t want Eun Jo to go.
Episode 12 – Eun Jo’s mom knew Yeol is a Grand Prince
Characterization and Acting
The strong yet vulnerable Hong Eun Jo
Eun Jo is strong, physically, mentally, and intellectually. Being a physician by day and a thief by night requires some fitness and stamina. She’s also good in archery. Moreover, Eun Jo is strong-willed and intelligent, thanks to the education by her father, despite being born to a slave mother. By day, she is a warm and empathetic healer. By night, she is a skilled and righteous thief who steals from corrupt officials to support the impoverished.
Despite Eun Jo seeming a perfect protagonist, she is vulnerable because of her social status. Eun Jo was traumatized by low-status which restricted her life, acting out of frustration and a desire for justice. Her arc centers on moving from a secretive, burdened existence to finding love and partnership, through Yeol, that validates her worth.
Nam Ji-hyun brought a natural and emotionally grounded Hong Eun Jo. She was able to feel the character, balancing high-stakes action with quiet emotional vulnerability. The actress seamlessly switched between the gentle demeanor of physician Hong Eun Jo, the intense, sharp-eyed, and energetic Hong Gil Dong, and the playful and confident Yi Yeol during body-swap.
The warm and sincere Prince Yi Yeol, who hides his intelligence
Because of the threat from his own kin when he was small, this handsome Grand Prince hides his intelligence behind a facade of a carefree, lazy loafer. Because of his sleuthing hobby, he frequently visits the police bureau to act as a pseudo-investigator
Yeol is warm, sincere, observant, and secretly protective of the people he loves. He represents the “watchful protector” archetype, moving from playing around and detachment to deep romantic commitment and political action to uphold justice.
I have never seen the actor before. Although Nam Jin Hyun’s acting is better than Moon Sang Min in this drama, he delivered a warm and engaging performance, especially in romantic scenes. The actor matched his co-star in successfully managing the dual nature of Yi Yeol — acting carefree to the public while showing intense focus in secret, making his secretive intelligence believable. During the body swap, Moon Sang Min portrayed distinct changes from the grand prince into Eun Jo, with female body language and voice projection, which make the switches feel grounded and believable.
The supporting characters are as essential as the protagonists
The supporting cast, including the Second Male Lead and the Second Female Lead, balances the romantic comedy elements with political tension and genuine emotional depth.
Here are my favorites supporting characters:
- The Second Female Lead Sin Hae Rim. With her naivety and cuteness, she provides a comedic sub-plot. Originally falls for “Prince Yu Yeol” during the body-swap, her changing perceptions of romantic interests is hilarious and endearing.
- Daechu, Prince Yi Yeol’s loyal companion. Known for his casual attitude and honest reactions. Unlike typical subservient characters, he speaks comfortably with the Prince, adding humor and a sense of “real person” warmth to the narrative.
- The mothers (Eun Jo’s mother and Yeol’s mother (Queen Dowager)). They are portrayed as loving, supportive figures that ground the emotional stakes of the series.
Not my favorite, but their characters and acting are praiseworthy:
- Im Jae I, the Second Male Lead. At first, I didn’t like him because he was sarcastic and rude to Eun Jo. As a typical tsundere, Jae I concealed his true nature and feelings out of pride, behaving harshly before showing a softer side. His character development relating to Eun Jo and Yeol —specifically dropping formalities— is highlighted as a narrative strength.
- The villains. I won’t spoil for you who the villains are, although technically, there is only one main villain. The actors who played the significant villains are outstanding for their nuanced performances. Their characters are layered, moving from overt cruelty to complex, internal power struggles.
Visualization
Cinematography
To My Beloved Thief is praised for its high production value and evocative visual storytelling, attributed to Studio Dragon, which is known for its high-end cinematic standards.
Parallel editing
Parallel editing is a central stylistic and narrative tool used in this drama to navigate its complex soul-swapping premise, how Eun Jo and Yeol handle each other’s very different lives at the same moment. Parallel editing is a post-production technique in which two or more different scenes are intercut to suggest they’re happening at the same time. While Eun Jo in Yeol’s body struggles with royal court etiquette, the other navigates the struggling life of a physician and the dangerous life of Gil Dong. The editing also highlights the contrast between the controlled life of the palace and the struggles of commoners.
Prince Yi Yeol Costumes
The prince’s wardrobe has gained attention for its elegant and diverse styling, from soft pastel-toned bright colors to weighted dark tones. Although the prince also wears a range of traditional styles, including standard royal robes and cheolik (traditional military-style robes), worn while he investigates crimes.
It’s hard for me to pick which one is the best from the prince’s costumes below, plus the one in the Main Character’s image. Even the female characters in this drama (the queen, included!) don’t dress as fancy as the prince, in my opinion, lol!
Shooting Locations
Much of the drama was filmed in Gyeongnam Province, utilizing historical landmarks like the House of Choi Champan in Hadong, Sam-eunjeong in Miryang, and the Ildu House in Hamyang to create a Joseon authentic atmosphere.
The production also made heavy use of Hwangmaesan Mountain for wide, sweeping landscape shots.
My Critique
Despite all my glowing reviews of this drama, here’s my reason for not giving it a perfect score of 10.00/10. Similar to going to a place I frequented in the past, coming back again, despite some new things added, it’s still the same place. Watching a drama with a body-swap trope is still a cliché, although To My Beloved Thief has a reasonable explanation of the body-swap. I wish the screenwriter had written something unique, since this script was entered in the annual Studio Dragon Drama Script Contest. The purpose of that contest was to “find fresh, original, and high-concept drama ideas from new and experienced writers, fostering content that can succeed in both Korean and international markets”. In my opinion, a body-swap topic drama is not fresh or original.
However, if you rarely or never watch dramas with a body-swap theme, this drama could easily be a 10 for you.
Conclusion
To conclude, To My Beloved Thief is a historical romantic comedy that explores themes of social justice, identity, and the transformative power of empathy through its supernatural soul-swap premise. For me, the power of empathy stands out in this drama. Hong Eun Jo and Grand Prince Yi Yeol stand at the opposite ends of the social hierarchy, yet, through the body-swap, they literally walk in each other’s shoes. Although their connections are predestined, their true love grows from understanding the sacrifices and challenges of another’s life.
Ending Spoilers
What is the ending? (short answer)
Wholesome ending and double happy ending
How does the drama end? (detailed answer)
The first happy ending. King Yi Gyu abdicates, without bloodshed revolution, and Grand Prince Yi Yeol temporarily becomes the new emperor. He cleans up the government to pave the way for the little Crown Prince (Yi Gyu’s son) to be his successor. Yeol doesn’t marry anyone, since Hong Eun Jo, with her status, cannot be his legal wife, and she doesn’t want to be a concubine. After a few years, when the Crown Prince is ready, the throne is passed on.
The second happy ending. In the modern day, the reincarnation of Yeol and Eun Jo meet again in the museum, after watching an exhibit of the shoes and the ring Yeol gave to Eun Jo. According to the museum guide, the Grand Prince gave the shoes and the ring as a love token to his wife. So after abdicating, Yeol resumed his title as Grand Prince and married Eun Jo.
These are two happy endings granted by the Moon God, when Yeol wished that he could be with Eun Jo in their lifetime, while Eun Jo wished they could be together in their next life.
