The upcoming KBS2 drama To My Beloved Thief (tentative title) brings an unusual mix of love, history, and body-swapping chaos. It tells the story of a woman thief and a noble prince whose souls get switched, forcing them to live each other’s lives.
The show blends comedy, romance, and a touch of fantasy — all inside the strict social rules of the Joseon era.
Hong Eun-jo, played by Nam Ji-hyun, is born into a complicated world. Her father is a nobleman, but her mother was once a slave. She grew up watching injustice and cruelty around her.
Instead of staying silent, she takes a risk. She becomes a thief, stealing food from corrupt officials to feed poor families. People call her Hong Gil-dong, the “righteous bandit.” No one knows she’s a woman. Her secret is well-kept, but her name spreads fast across villages.
Prince Yi Yeol, played by Moon Sang-min, lives a completely different life. He is tall, elegant, and full of royal confidence. But he’s not like the usual prince.
Yi Yeol loves solving mysteries and following clues. He often sneaks out of the palace to investigate crimes, pretending to be an ordinary man. When he begins searching for the mysterious thief Hong Gil-dong, he doesn’t expect to fall in love. Yet, one glance changes everything.
Also Read: Where To Watch ‘Moon River’ K-Drama? Soul Swap Story in Joseon
A Story of Switched Souls and Switched Lives
Things take a strange turn when their souls get swapped. Hong Eun-jo wakes up in the body of the prince. Yi Yeol, now trapped in the body of the thief he’s been chasing, must face the truth behind her world. This unexpected switch forces them to rely on each other. It’s no longer a chase — it’s survival.
The drama employs this body-swap idea not for magic tricks, but for character development. Eun-jo, inside a man’s body, learns what power and privilege feel like.
Yi Yeol, living as a thief, learns what pain and poverty mean. Both experience how unfair the world is, but from the other side. This human exchange becomes the heart of the story.
Nam Ji-hyun fits perfectly into this role. She has played strong, smart, and emotional women in the past. Here, she mixes humor with depth, showing Eun-jo’s courage and confusion in equal measure.
Moon Sang-min, known for Under the Queen’s Umbrella, also gets a refreshing character. His prince is not cold or arrogant. He’s curious, a bit naive, and deeply sincere. When their worlds collide, the chemistry feels natural and funny.
Ha Seok-jin joins as King Yeon-san, the ruler of Joseon. His character adds tension to the story — a ruler trying to control chaos while hiding his own secrets. Supporting actors Kim Suk-hoon and Choi Won-young play the fathers of the main leads, adding emotional and political layers.
A Historical Comedy with Heart and Conflict
To My Beloved Thief is not just a love story in fancy clothes. It’s also about class, gender, and freedom. A woman from a low birth stealing from corrupt officials is a direct challenge to Joseon’s order.
Yet the drama doesn’t turn heavy. The tone stays light, full of sharp humor and warm moments. The soul-switching setup brings plenty of comic confusion — like a prince trying to steal or a thief learning palace manners.
The script comes from writer Lee Sun, known for mixing wit with emotion. The direction is by Ham Young-geol, who has worked on several stylish historical dramas. The production is by Studio Dragon, which often ensures visual beauty and strong storytelling.
This drama fits the growing trend of “fusion sageuks” — shows that mix classic settings with modern emotions. Similar to hits like Love in the Moonlight or The Tale of Nokdu, it adds fun and fantasy into history without losing heart. Each episode will run about 70 minutes, airing on weekends from January 3 to February 22, 2026.
Where To Watch ‘To My Beloved Thief’ K-Drama?
- Episodes: 16
- Airs: Jan 3, 2026 – Feb 22, 2026
- Airs On: Saturday, Sunday
- Original Network: KBS2
- Duration: 1 hr. 10 min.
Episode Schedule:
- Episode 1 – January 3 (Saturday)
- Episode 2 – January 4 (Sunday)
- Episode 3 – January 10 (Saturday)
- Episode 4 – January 11 (Sunday)
- Episode 5 – January 17 (Saturday)
- Episode 6 – January 18 (Sunday)
- Episode 7 – January 24 (Saturday)
- Episode 8 – January 25 (Sunday)
- Episode 9 – January 31 (Saturday)
- Episode 10 – February 1 (Sunday)
- Episode 11 – February 7 (Saturday)
- Episode 12 – February 8 (Sunday)
- Episode 13 – February 14 (Saturday)
- Episode 14 – February 15 (Sunday)
- Episode 15 – February 21 (Saturday)
- Episode 16 – February 22 (Sunday)
Schedule Timings
The drama releases at 9:20 PM KST on KBS2. Here's your timezone schedule:
💡 Tip: KST is 9 hours ahead of GMT. Use this to estimate future air times!
What makes this show interesting is how it handles identity. When the prince and thief live each other’s lives, they both face the cost of privilege and the value of freedom. The story asks one simple question — if you were born in the wrong body, could you still live with truth?
Unlike many typical royal romances, To My Beloved Thief KBS2 2026 drama doesn’t just focus on love and destiny. It highlights personal choices and moral balance. The humor never hides the social bite. The romance never ignores the fear of being caught. Every joke carries weight, and every chase has meaning.
This combination of lightness and thought is what makes the drama stand out. The chemistry between Nam Ji-hyun and Moon Sang-min also looks promising. Their pairing feels dynamic — she brings calm intelligence, and he adds a boyish charm.
With 16 episodes planned, the show will likely move between laughter, suspense, and touching moments. It might not change Korean drama history, but it feels honest and fresh. If handled well, To My Beloved Thief could become one of those comforting yet meaningful series that viewers remember long after the finale.
In simple words, it’s a tale of two souls finding truth in chaos. A thief who learns about power. A prince who learns about pain. And a world that keeps watching both — not knowing who is who anymore.
Countdown For To My Beloved Thief
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Kavita Mishra is a dynamic writer and passionate Korean entertainment enthusiast, combining her love for K-pop and K-drama with a flair for storytelling. With a keen eye for the latest trends, Kavita crafts articles that capture the pulse of K-pop idols, chart-topping hits, and the most buzz-worthy dramas taking over screens worldwide.
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