SUPER WORTH IT TO WATCH!!!!
Definitely worth watching, especially on the weekend. I’ve been searching for a new drama, and I’m so happy I found this one at the start of 2026. I love everything about it—the plot, the story, the OST, and especially the leads. Nam Ji-hyun always exceeds my expectations. She is so underrated in Korea and truly deserves more awards and recognition. She delivers every scene so well and portrays her role perfectly.I’m also very hooked on the chemistry between the leads. They say Moon Sang-min is always paired with noona characters, but the 5-year age gap between him and Ji-hyun is hardly noticeable. I even thought they were the same age! The second lead is also handsome and has great potential.
Overall, I super love this drama and I’m really looking forward to it every weekend.
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Masterpiece in the making. The communication and teamwork is amazing
This drama is not soapy at all... I love it.I love the communication between ML and FL, e.g. start of ep 3. Everything is said, and it is said in a ... polite and sophisticated way, to the point. They are both smart and observant
This drama started so fluffy, flaunting the good looks of ML, but it turned into ... well.. how to call it? psychological melodrama or psychological thriller is not the right word ... there is no sticky feeling in this drama... ... This drama has a HEALTHY vibe ....
This drama is about ppl communicating honestly, using the communication to learn something about the other and about themselves! being self observant and realizing how they feel and think, and saying it and acting on it
it turned into an extremely deep drama about how people communicate and grow
I love ep 3 it is so meaningful and so deep, the script is great, and acting is stellar.
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Perfect Tandem!!!!!!
Age gap? What age gap? All I see is incredible chemistry! Nam Ji-hyun’s track record for picking amazing dramas remains flawless, and Moon Sang-min was born to play Prince Yeol. I’m obsessed with the story and the OST—definitely looking forward to the next episode!"Nam Ji-hyun’s track record for choosing projects remains flawless; she is brilliant as a physician who doubles as a thief at night, portraying both sides of her character with such skill. Moon Sang-min is the perfect Prince Yeol, and with a gorgeous second lead and an amazing supporting cast, the show is top-tier. Between the captivating story and the OST, this has officially become my favorite weekend binge.
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This review may contain spoilers
To my beloved thief
In Episode 1 of , Jihyun immediately stands out as a compelling and emotionally layered character. She is introduced as someone who appears calm and ordinary on the surface, but her eyes and subtle expressions reveal a deep inner conflict. From the very first episode, Jihyun feels realistic and relatable, making it easy for viewers to connect with her.What makes Jihyun interesting is her quiet strength. She doesn’t rely on dramatic dialogue or exaggerated emotions; instead, her pain, confusion, and curiosity are shown through small gestures and restrained reactions. Her encounter with the male lead hints at a complex relationship that will slowly unfold, blending tension, fate, and unspoken emotions.
Episode 1 successfully sets Jihyun up as more than just a love interest. She feels like a character with her own wounds, questions, and growth ahead. If the drama continues to develop her inner struggles and emotional depth, Jihyun has the potential to become one of the most memorable characters in the series.
Overall, Jihyun’s introduction in Episode 1 is subtle yet powerful, leaving viewers curious about her past and excited to see how her story will evolve alongside the “thief” she is destined to meet.
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Decent Start, Waiting for More
NOTE: This review is based on first 2 eps. No spoilers.After the first two episodes, I don’t have many strong or lasting impressions, but the drama was decent enough that I didn’t feel like I wasted my time. It sparked enough curiosity to make me continue for now, even though I’m still unsure if I’ll finish all 16 episodes.
As someone who usually struggles with historical dramas (especially palace politics and power plays) I appreciated that those elements were somewhat balanced with lighter moments. What really kept me watching was the female lead and her life story. She’s portrayed as strong, smart, and resilient, and her journey is easily the most engaging part so far.
I also see potential in the dynamic between the leads. Their bickering was fun and they have some chemistry, but their interactions lean heavily into a fairy-tale, cinematic style with dramatic eye contact and “love at first sight” moments, which didn’t fully work for me emotionally yet.
A large portion of the episodes focused on side characters and political/palace affairs but they didn’t hold my interest as much, and the cartoonish comedy, especially early on, set a certain tone. The acting felt a bit theatrical at first, though I adjusted to it. Visually, the drama is beautiful, and I especially liked the use of animation and drawings throughout.
The upcoming body swap element from the premise feels like a strange fit and a bit unexpected for the tone of this drama. It adds a fantasy layer I didn’t anticipate, and while I’m not fully sold on it yet, it did make me more curious about where the story is heading.
Overall, To My Beloved Thief had a watchable but not gripping start. I’m continuing out of curiosity, and my rating may change depending on how the plot and characters develop.
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This review may contain spoilers
Hong Eun Jo’s family plays a key role in shaping who she becomes in this drama.It is not a loving or perfect family, but a broken one filled with silence, emotional distance, and unresolved pain.
Eun Jo has always been the one who endures things for her family.
She rarely expresses her own feelings and carries the burden alone.
Because of this, her decision to become a thief is not driven by greed,
but by family trauma and the instinct to survive.
Within her family, there are many unspoken wounds and misunderstandings.
There is love, but it is never clearly shown or communicated.
This emotional environment pushes Eun Jo into loneliness and quiet strength.
In the family scenes, her silence speaks louder than words.
Even as a thief, her actions are rooted in her desire to protect her family,
not to harm others.
This family storyline turns To My Beloved Thief into more than a crime romance.
It becomes a human drama that helps viewers understand Eun Jo’s choices
and see her not as a villain, but as someone shaped by her past.
Hong Eun Jo’s family background adds emotional depth to the story.
To truly understand her character, her family history is something viewers should pay attention to.
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A Robin Hood Concept Lost in Palace Politics
My Secret romance presents itself as a Robin Hood–style story, inspired by the Korean folk hero Hong Gil-dong. The concept is interesting: a female protagonist excluded from society because of her birth, forced to exist outside the system.However, episode one quickly sidelines that idea. The “Robin Hood” angle works more as an excuse than a driving force, while the story falls back into familiar sageuk territory: palace intrigue, power struggles, political marriages, and corruption.
The heroine is portrayed as almost superhuman — jumping across rooftops and escaping danger with little effort — which removes tension and risk. On top of that, romantic interest is introduced too early, before the social conflict has time to breathe.
There is potential here, but the first episode makes it clear that the series chooses safety over bold storytelling.
If you’re looking for a classic palace drama, this might work.
If you expected a sharper Robin Hood–style adventure, this probably isn’t it.
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