Reviews

It’s a short series, six episodes of under 15 minutes each, that definitely won me over. It’s going on my list of "comfort shows" to watch on a rainy day, curled up under the covers. It was surprisingly fun and sweet. But what really hooked me were the performances by Hwang Dong Hee as Cha Do Gyeong and Kim Dong Won as Yun Ji O. I love body-swapping shows, and these actors were incredible. The way they switched personalities was so believable and flawless. Plus, the chemistry between them was excellent, and both seemed completely at ease in their roles. Despite the low budget, the series delivered a quality production. I just wish there had been a few more episodes or more screen time, as I’d love to know the backstory behind the homestay's matchmaking abilities. Who knows? Maybe a second season telling the story of Secretary Ha and the homestay? It’s unlikely, but it doesn't hurt to dream. Breathtaking scenery and a gentle soundtrack round out the production.

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Great Acting, Nice Mysteries, Where Was ZQL at the End?

This was on my watchlist. I just didn't expect it to literally come out of nowhere. The acting was top-notch, even though the choppy editing could've been done without. I was very impressed with DYX and his Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde switches on a dime. But everyone in general in the lead cast even the creepy antagonist did a good job. The costumes, the stunts and wire work, the CGI including the monsters and things, sets and OST's were great.

I feel this was a domino effect story they started off with these two adopted brothers who went to solve mysteries after being made official members of the archives from the mysterious Zhang family. So this was a combo of Mystic Nine and The Lost Tomb series from what I understood. I'm not as many people know a source material reader so to me it's just coming in as a viewer. But ZHL made the colossal mistake of being arrogant and spilling some secrets which caused the domino effect of the archives being discovered, and people within the archives being hunted and killed by the warlord. I think the story is incredibly engaging, especially toward the end when you find out that absolutely everything is connected from that very first case of twilight grass to what the warlord was really after or who rather. I feel insanely bad for ZHX because he was sort of like the sacrificial lamb in the entire thing, and even though he faked his death, he still didn't know the entire truth that the thing was a poison, and that the second part would erode his mind and turned him into Mr. Hyde, and he fought the bloodlust to the end. I still blame to an extent ZHQ for not telling ZHX the entire truth of the fake death and also keeping a lot of secrets from ZHL. But as ZQJ said at the end, "it's the one that's left that suffers the most" though I think given everything it's not the last we have seen of ZHX and ZHL knows it.

The only thing I didn't really understand was why ZQL only popped up when pretty much everything was over and why he didn't step in to help when he knew so many people were essentially dying due to things that he could get rid of or control and it didn't need to necessarily be a monster until the very last episode with the meteorite and those Kraken looking tentacles that came out of it. At least he brought ZHQ back to life, which is what essentially they were looking for but again why wait so long?

Given what Wu Xie said at the end and the note from Xiao Ge about “working together before” plus that snake that followed both bros around inside the hypnosis and finding out about the meteorite through that hypothetical 3 way convo, this makes a ton of sense more than the stab and done. ZHX who went through so much to just die like that, when I watched it that morning (after not sleeping all night) even then it didn’t make sense to me. I don’t believe he’s dead either; I think he’s in that suspended animation state waiting for a cure. Furthermore, just like ZHL said all adopted orphans into the family are special because their hearts are on the right side, not the left and when he stabbed ZHX, he stabbed his left side. Even at the very end of them fighting ZHL through words and actions let ZHX know he hadn’t given up on him (as he had explained to the two with him and the snake charmer dude as well as continuing with what ZQS had told him that we had the flashback too in episode 29. Though he wasn’t acting like everything was normal, he now understood the why and treated him like two different ppl sharing a body). Because of the world they’re in that’s where my head’s at plus I think Shifu knows it too. The all knowing look she gave ZHL on that boat at the end was a bit too obvious. The medicine formula dark shrimp burned wasn’t the real one (flashback was twice to drive the point home) and she either has it or memorized it as we know she’s good at that so other than Zhang blood they need the other ingredients. Whether we’ll actually see it or not is a different matter. Though the writer did leave a lot of little cryptic notes saying that there will be a possible season two I just hope it's with the same actors.

Would I recommend it? I 100% would recommend this if you love this franchise and universe despite the choppy editing and sadness for the life of ZHX I think it was executed very well and he did it very well. I don't want to tell the entire story because then what's the point of watching? I'm sure there are other reviews that have done that and mine are a lot shorter now so please watch and make up your minds for yourselves.

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utterly awful...

It's again time to drop a title... because while I have a hard skin, I can't watch this. The story is extremely weak but the acting is atrocious. This should have been an over the top comedy I guess... but even with skipping scenes I can't let go through the 2nd episode. While the first few minutes let you imagine it's a cheap imitation of Gelboys, it is nothing of the sort. Just the intro resembles it with a cute face in it, but every other actor does not stand out a bit.

While I hoped the Thai BL slump ended with June, this is a new low. A complete waste of time and money.

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A Thoughtful Story About Choice, Justice and Human Nature

To My Beloved Thief – 9/10

If you're happy to enjoy this drama simply as a historical romance with a body-swap storyline, you'll probably have a great time. But if you enjoy stories that invite you to reflect on people, relationships and human nature, I think To My Beloved Thief has even more to offer.

What I liked most about To My Beloved Thief was not only the romance or the body-swap element, but the deeper themes woven throughout the story.

The drama felt fresh, and I think that came from the way the characters were written. Everyone was allowed to occupy their own space. They had their own motivations, choices and emotional logic. There was no constant over-acting or over-reacting. Instead, the story trusted the audience to understand what characters were feeling through their actions, decisions and circumstances.

For me, the writing was one of the drama's greatest strengths. The characters were flawed, but understandable. They were not simply divided into heroes and villains. Many acted from duty, fear, love, loyalty or limited understanding, and the story allowed their perspectives to change over time.

Another point of difference was the second male lead. He was not written as a flat obstacle or a convenient rival. He felt fully developed, with one of the most interesting and life-changing character arcs in the drama. That is unusual in many K-dramas, where second leads often exist mainly to create romantic tension or support the main couple. Here, his journey mattered in its own right.

I especially loved the themes of justice, people's rights, equality, voice and the freedom to choose one's own path. Eun-jo never set out to become a hero. She simply acted from kindness, courage and a sense of fairness. The beautiful realisation was that her actions had mattered far more than she knew. By quietly standing up for what was right, she inspired ordinary people to find the courage to stand up as well.

The scene where the common people came together and pretended to be the thief was one of the most meaningful moments of the entire drama. It showed that lasting change did not have to come through a great war or one extraordinary hero. It came through ordinary people recognising their own strength and acting together.

I also appreciated that the drama showed women supporting women. The relationship between the Queen and the Queen Dowager was particularly refreshing because they were not written as jealous or manipulative rivals. Instead, they recognised each other's strengths and supported one another. It was a welcome change from a trope that appears so often in palace dramas.

The body-swap storyline was also handled beautifully. Rather than existing mainly for comedy, it became a way of building empathy. Seeing relationships from another person's perspective helped create understanding between parent and child and allowed characters to appreciate each other in ways that would otherwise have been impossible. It also drew me, as the viewer, into their emotional journeys. I also appreciated that the body swap never felt overused. It remained a meaningful storytelling device rather than becoming a gimmick.

One of my favourite aspects of the ending was how faithfully it stayed true to the ideas established throughout the series. The female lead did not have to abandon her values or her sense of freedom simply to fit the role society expected of her. Equally, the male lead respected her choices while remaining true to his own responsibilities. Neither tried to change the other. They discussed their futures as mature adults, built on mutual respect rather than control or sacrifice. I found that incredibly refreshing.

I also appreciated how the drama handled its antagonist. In many historical dramas, a villain's fate is simply imposed upon them through execution, poison or another familiar ending. Here, even the antagonist was given a choice. I thought that was a thoughtful decision because it remained consistent with one of the drama's central ideas: people are ultimately defined by the choices they make.

The pacing worked well for me. I was always keen to watch the next episode. Some viewers may find it a little slower if they are mainly looking for plot progression and are less interested in the deeper character journeys, but I never found it slow myself. Most of the plot also held together well. There were a few moments where characters conveniently appeared exactly when needed, and I did question one aspect of the timeline near the end, but neither issue significantly affected my enjoyment.

Visually, the production was excellent. Some of the cinematography, particularly during the romantic scenes, was stunning and added beautifully to the emotional atmosphere without overwhelming it.

Perhaps the biggest compliment I can give To My Beloved Thief is that it has made me genuinely excited to follow this screenwriter's future work. While the drama uses some familiar tropes, it approaches them through a very different lens. Instead of simply repeating familiar formulas, it uses them to explore empathy, respect, justice, choice and human growth. That made the story feel genuinely fresh.

If you simply want an entertaining historical romance, I think you'll have a very enjoyable time with this drama. But if you enjoy stories that invite you to think more deeply about people, relationships and human nature, I believe To My Beloved Thief has even more to offer. For me, those deeper layers are what elevated it from an enjoyable drama to a memorable one.

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Definitely worth watching but be prepared for the warnings and the roller coaster of emotions.

I was seriously not prepared for this series. There was a lot of abuse mentally, physically and emotionally.

At times they say family knows best what's best for you and that your family would do anything to protect you. Unfortunately, due to same sex love both families are very toxic and manipulating on both Male lead families. We also have to remember the story takes place in the 90s and early 2000 where same sex relationship was still not considered acceptable.

As much as I didn't like the abuse that followed in so many of the episodes, I'm glad the writer brought what caused the male lead to act the way he was acting. It gives us a lot of insight on what was going on with the male. It does not make it excusable, but it gives you a better understanding.

I'm also glad that the series changed it up and moved away from the novel /Book a little bit. The novel did not make sense to me and the series was so much better. I hope I didn't put out too many spoilers. It's always better to watch it yourself. Everybody has a different perspective on the same stories. It's always great to see what other people think and how they would rate this series.

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Worth to watch!

Wow! I'm going to miss "Your Dear Daddy" so much 😭 This was the series that Fluke deserves and I hope he gets all the recognition he deserves. Who would have thought that traveling for a one night stand and sleeping with the wrong person, would lead Saitharn to the love of his live 🥺

Also, beyond the companies dispute, this series was about found family and believe in yourself. The series main topic is that you're not define by the people whose blood is related to you. Muenphae had a horrible family that didn't acknowledge her value nor her talents. However, she found a family in Sila, who's the brother her real one can't be. Moreover, she and Saitharn learned to own their worth and not letting others dictate what they should or not be.

Sincerely, 10/10! My only complaint is that it had to end! I demand a special episode with Saitharn and Sila's married life 🫣

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Easily one of the best romcoms

I’m usually not a fan of romcom-centered dramas—especially modern ones. Honestly, they can be so boring and slow, which definitely doesn’t fit my taste because I want drama all over the place. But wow, this series completely changed the game for me. It gave me all the high-stakes drama and excitement I wanted, but without any of that bitter, toxic aftertaste.
​The way this series delivers the main characters' love story is so incredibly refreshing and heart-fluttering to the max. Every single episode had me smiling like crazy, especially watching how Tinn pursues Gun. Like, seriously, that has to be the sweetest, most pure execution of a crush ever.
​What really hooked me, though, was the pacing. You know those slow-paced dramas that just drag on and make you want to skip ahead? This isn’t that. It completely eliminates that usual boredom by staying laser-focused on the plot and the romance. There’s no useless filler. Plus, they did an absolute masterclass of a job showing the mix of music and love. The soundtrack and the performances blend so perfectly into the story that I can’t even fully express how much I love it.
​Also, can we talk about the first episode? It totally baits you into thinking you’re getting that classic enemies-to-lovers trope, but then it flips the script into something completely different and way better. It’s actually just Tinn being a total dork who has no idea how to express his feelings the right way.
​As for the acting, Gemini did a great job playing that total loser in love—especially those moments where he smiles just because Gun notices him. However, if I'm being fully honest, his overall expressions just didn't quite fit my expectations for the role.
​On an insignificant note, though: I really think actors being caged into fixed "love teams" is so degrading and doesn’t actually showcase their range. Because of this practice, I'm not really a fan of the Thai entertainment industry's setup. Fourth has such an incredible talent when acting, and I would really love to see him get paired up with other actors to see what else he can do.
​But overall, if you want a romance that skips the boring fluff, delivers pure serotonin, and keeps you hooked from start to finish, this is 100% it.

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I’m not sure how I feel about it. While the acting is good, the story and the overall premise didn't do much for me. Ha Jung-woo definitely has better films, even when playing the villain. And I don’t even know what Kim Nam-gil is doing there; his character and storyline felt like a distraction. They didn't really do much with the book/writer connection, and the movie could have easily moved forward without that element since it didn't add anything. The synopsis is actually pretty misleading.
​I can't help but compare it to Mercy for None—though to be fair, that's a series, which naturally gives it more room to properly build up the story. That said, it’s still a decent action flick when it comes to the fight scenes.

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Good concept, but I wanted more from the main couple

I enjoyed the drama overall and think it's worth watching, especially if you're a fan of IU or Woo Seok. The modern take on the Korean monarchy was an interesting concept, and the production quality was solid throughout.
That said, I was expecting more interactions between the female lead and male lead. While their chemistry was there, I felt the romance could have been developed further with more couple moments. I also wish the drama had spent more time exploring the Queen Dowager and the male lead's brother, as both characters had interesting potential but didn't get as much screen time as I hoped.
The storyline wasn't bad and kept me watching, but it didn't quite exceed my expectations. Overall, it's still an enjoyable drama with a unique premise, strong performances, and is definitely worth a watch.

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?

One of my favorite BL themes has always been Chinese historical dramas, and this series reminded me why. 🤍

I was hooked from the very first episode and loved every minute of it. The story, the characters, and the emotions completely pulled me in.

Now I'm left wondering... what am I supposed to watch next that can fill my heart the way this series did? 🥹✨

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It was better than i expected but i wanted more

I started this show with no expectations and surprisingly i liked it more than i thought, saitharn character took different direction from what we used to have, he wzsnt the stubborn brat from city who refuse to settle down in countryside, instead he worked hard tired his best to learn and get close to everyone and he succeed to do that,he found family within farmer, i loved how relationship with sila, it started as one night stand than creditor-debtor to lovers, they didn't deny their feeling or fight it, just went with flow, another part i liked how they made us suspicious with 2 people when it come to betrayal.
Phae having girlfriend was nice bcz her family is shitty but their story was bland
Now let me go with things that let me down, we didn't get much of sila and saitharn
, we deserved more of them,
saitharn trauma and backstory was brushed off quickly, and we didn't learn whats his full conflict with his mom from first place
The villain ending felt incomplete, after exposing them on party we didn't see them again, it felt there is no closure for that side of story in my head.

Anyway overall this was cute show with nice scenery

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