Actress Nam Ji-hyun once again proved her worth.
KBS2 Saturday-Sunday miniseries 'To My Beloved Thief' (writer Lee Seon, director Ham Young-gul, produced by Studio Dragon) opened the 2026 KBS weekend miniseries slate and drew attention as actress Nam Ji-hyun's return to historical drama, generating buzz from its first broadcast. Since then, word of mouth has driven a steady rise in ratings while maintaining topicality. Nam Ji-hyun, who plays the title role Hong Eun-jo, has received praise for her detailed acting that deeply portrays the character's narrative.
Nam Ji-hyun unlocked viewers' hearts with a diverse charm. By day she is the female physician Hong Eun-jo and by night the righteous thief Gil-dong, switching between two personas, and when her soul is swapped with Daegun I-yeol (Moon Sang Min) she instantly changes from the stern woman Hong Eun-jo to Daegun I-yeol. Her performance, which can be said to be two roles in one, delicately crafts a complex character by changing faces according to the situation. The varied appearances show completely different tones from her gaze to her energy moment to moment, but her careful acting steadily builds the character's emotional line without losing its center, adding undeniable persuasiveness to the character's transformations. Thanks to Nam Ji-hyun's work in organically connecting the character's multifaceted aspects, the true flavor of the character Hong Eun-jo has finally come to life.
One reason for the work's success is its solid storyline that unfolds around a strong central thread. The stories of multiple characters and various genres intertwine to provide complex enjoyment. Because it delivers definite entertainment, the role of the lead actor who must convey it is clearly not easy. That is why Nam Ji-hyun, who bears the burden of the title role and leads the drama, moves with weight yet clarity. Her performance, which provides a clear compass amid tangled narratives without losing the center, raises the work's level of completion. Having delivered more than her given share, Nam Ji-hyun put 'To My Beloved Thief' on a successful track and once again proved why it had to be Nam Ji-hyun.
Meanwhile, with Eun-jo and I-yeol cornered by the pursuit of King Lee Gyu (Ha Seok-jin) and facing danger, anticipation is rising for 'To My Beloved Thief' as it races toward the end to see what kind of conclusion the two people, who seemed to sense their parting and shared their hearts, will face.
With only two episodes left until the finale, KBS2's 'To My Beloved Thief' airs next Saturday and Sunday at 9:20 p.m.
[OSEN]