To My Beloved Thief: Storyline, Cast & What the Drama Offers

The new KBS2 Sageuk, To My Beloved Thief, is a must-watch! The chemistry between leads Nam Ji Hyun (the thief) and Moon Sang Min (the Prince) is electrifying. Court doctor Hong Eun Jo becomes the righteous night thief, Gil Dong. The twist? The Prince she crushes on is the very man hunting her! When the two suddenly swap bodies, enemies are forced to become partners in a hilarious fight for justice. Catch this dynamic drama when it premieres on January 3, 2026!

The Trailer Confirmed: This Chase Is Pure Romance

The official trailer for To My Beloved Thief premiered on December 2, 2025. It instantly revealed the thrilling, tangled relationship between our leads, Nam Ji Hyun and Moon Sang Min. We see Hong Eun Jo living the most intense double life imaginable. By day, she is a graceful court doctor. When night falls, she transforms into the famed righteous thief, Gil Dong.

She gracefully leaps across Joseon’s rooftops as palace guards chase her relentlessly. Who is leading that ferocious hunt? None other than the dashing Prince Yi Yeol! He is the king’s younger brother, after all. He even boasts that they’ve finally snatched “the shadow of Gil Dong.” The best part? Neither of them knows that their daytime crush is their nighttime enemy! Talk about star-crossed destiny.

The tension only increases as Eun Jo swoops through the darkness. The most memorable trailer moment happens during their unexpected market encounter. Prince Yi Yeol surprises Eun Jo with a flirty, captivating glance. He playfully asks if she is trying to “attract him.” Her expression reflects both fear and pure curiosity, sparking instant romantic fireworks. The official tagline sums up their destined love story perfectly: “The thief I’m chasing is the woman I’ve been searching for.”

To My Beloved Thief: Key Storyline, Main Cast, and What the Drama Is About

Nam Ji Hyun and Moon Sang Min: A Visual Powerhouse Duo

The on-screen sparks flew the second the trailer hit the internet. Moon Sang Min and Nam Ji Hyun have undeniable chemistry! Fans on X (Twitter) immediately started celebrating the duo. One person commented on Moon Sang Min’s striking 6-foot-3″ height. They noted how well it contrasts with Nam Ji Hyun’s incredible grace. Seriously, the visual interaction alone is impressive to watch.

Nam Ji Hyun is finally back in historical dramas after eight long years! She is playing the determined Hong Eun Jo. She balances her roles as a female doctor and a righteous criminal. Eun Jo was born to a nobleman and a slave mother. She faces Joseon society’s severe restrictions every single day. The strong, resourceful woman uses her Gil Dong identity to help people just like her.

She effortlessly switches between a beautiful, radiant physician treating patients and a daring criminal holding her mask. Her dedication to this project is real. She actually quit Good Partner Season 2 due to scheduling conflicts with this Sageuk! Moon Sang Min (from Under the Queen’s Umbrella) plays the handsome Prince Yi Yeol. He hides his genius as a detective behind a snarky, Playboy exterior. Don’t be fooled by his natural elegance, though. He loves solving cases and keeps his loved ones safe. He is definitely more than just a pretty face.

The Body Swap Chaos That Changes Everything

This is where the story goes completely off the rails! The plot is set in a fictional Joseon period. It starts with Eun Jo secretly robbing corruption-ridden granaries to feed the hungry people. She has everyone buzzing about the unknown Gil Dong. Prince Yi Yeol, meanwhile, is determined to use his detective skills to identify this thief. He is instantly drawn to Eun Jo when they meet during the day. He has no clue she’s the criminal he’s been hunting! Then, in a genuinely shocking moment during the chase, their souls switch.

Imagine the absolute devastation that causes! The Prince suddenly wakes up in the body of a wanted criminal. Meanwhile, Eun Jo has to deal with palace life inside the body of the Grand Prince. Seriously, how complicated can one romance get? They are immediately forced to help one another. Now they must protect the citizens while trying to reverse the switch! This unexpected turn is what truly defines this incredible Sageuk.

I know, I know, another body swap story. Some Redditors even joked about “soul-swap fatigue” since Moon River also just finished its run. Still, fans are confident Nam Ji Hyun and Moon Sang Min will bring a fresh, unique energy to this familiar concept. Their brilliant on-screen bond is totally magnetic. The writer, Lee Sun, actually won a major script contest award for this screenplay back in 2020. This story has been polished to perfection. It’s a classic Robin Hood tale mixed with a sharp detective prince and a fantastical twist. That’s a triple threat you cannot miss!

Release Date and Streaming Information

We don’t have long to wait! To My Beloved Thief premieres on KBS2 on January 3, 2026. You can catch the 16 episodes every Saturday and Sunday at 9:20 PM KST. They finished filming back in October 2025. That long post-production period means the quality will be super polished and amazing.

The promotion is spot-on, too. Nam Ji Hyun and Moon Sang Min are even hosting the 2025 KBS Drama Awards on December 31! They will co-host the event alongside veteran television host Jang Sung Kyu.

Talk about the perfect promotional platform just before the drama’s debut! Stay tuned to ShowsBuzzz for complete episode recaps, exclusive cast interviews, and all the latest To My Beloved Thief updates!