'To My Beloved Thief' is increasing immersion with the actors' sweet chemistry.
KBS2 weekend miniseries 'To My Beloved Thief' (writer Lee Seon, director Ham Young-gul, produced by Studio Dragon) is sailing smoothly, rising in rankings not only in buzz but also on global OTTs thanks to a solid story and the actors' passionate performances.
First, FUNdex, the TV-OTT drama buzz ranking released by Good Data Corporation, a professional analysis organization for K-content competitiveness, placed it at No. 4. On Rakuten Viki, a global OTT specializing in Asian entertainment, it entered the weekly top 5 in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Oceania in the first week of broadcast based on viewer numbers and has remained in the top 5 through the third week of airing. In particular, Southeast Asia shot to No. 1 immediately after airing, getting off to a strong start, and has been gaining global popularity by maintaining a weekly top 3 ranking. (Feb. 3)
Behind this popularity were the actors' performances and chemistry that melted into their characters and shone. The released photos show the cast sharing relaxed off-screen moments, suggesting the secret to their perfect rapport.
First, Nam Ji-hyun (playing Hong Eun-jo) and Moon Sang Min (playing Lee Yeol) catch the eye with their fresh smiles. Beloved by viewers to the point of earning the nickname 'Dodo (thief + Dowoldae-gun),' the couple's lovely two-shot adds warmth.
Also, Hong Min-gi, who plays Im Jae-i, and Han So Eun, who plays Shin Hae-rim, stand side by side making V poses and radiating adorable energy. Lee Seung-woo, who played Daechu and enjoyed lively back-and-forth with Lee Yeol, also shows cute synergy with Nam Ji-hyun and Moon Sang Min.
The actors meeting as siblings and brothers in the drama also draw attention. Nam Ji-hyun and Song Ji-ho, who play the siblings Hong Eun-jo and Hong Dae-il (Song Ji-ho), show genuine sibling vibes with identical smiles. By contrast, Moon Sang Min and Ha Seok-jin (playing Lee Gyu) display a solemn and serious atmosphere befitting royal and great prince characters.
Made by the actors' strong teamwork on and off camera, 'To My Beloved Thief' previously hinted at a further change in the relationship between Hong Eun-jo (Nam Ji-hyun) and Lee Yeol (Moon Sang Min) with another soul switch, promising an even more thrilling development.
In particular, tension reached a breaking point when Hong Eun-jo's soul met Lee Yeol's body and confronted Lee Gyu (played by Ha Seok-jin), who is the enemy of her father. Viewers are curious about what changes the second soul switch will bring to Hong Eun-jo's and Lee Yeol's lives and about the deepening affection between the two amid the crisis.
Fueling real-time 'Eundo' addicts with the actors' performances, KBS2 weekend miniseries 'To My Beloved Thief' will air episode 11 on the 7th at 9:20 p.m.
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