To My Beloved Thief | Nam Ji-hyun and Moon Sang-min Reunite Souls as the Prince Vanishes Beneath the Water

The souls of Hong Eun-jo and Yi-yeol finally return to their rightful bodies, but the reunion comes at a cruel cost. In the February 8 episode of KBS2’s historical fantasy romance To My Beloved Thief, Yi-yeol, played by Moon Sang-min, disappears beneath the water in a haunting ending that left viewers shaken.

Episode 12 followed Hong Eun-jo (Nam Ji-hyun) and Yi-yeol as they joined forces to rescue court entertainers suffering under the tyrannical rule of King Yi-gyu (Ha Seok-jin). While their plan succeeded, it also ignited a new wave of revenge. The episode recorded a nationwide rating of 7.3 percent, its highest yet, with the ambush scene peaking at 8.2 percent.

Photo by KBS2 Drama To My Beloved Thief.

The ideological divide between the two leads deepened as Eun-jo resolved to join a rebellion for the sake of the people, while Yi-yeol tried to stop her, hoping to save her life. Torn between love and conviction, their opposing choices heightened the emotional weight of the story.

Having lived among the people while inhabiting Eun-jo’s body, Yi-yeol could no longer ignore their suffering. He pleaded with King Yi-gyu to listen to their cries, only to be met with madness as the drug-addled ruler forced exhausted entertainers to perform without mercy.

The turning point came when the two once again joined hands. With Eun-jo’s soul in Yi-yeol’s body, she persuaded the Queen Dowager and the Queen, while Yi-yeol, now in Eun-jo’s body, secured help to smuggle the entertainers out of the palace. As arrows flew and allies held off pursuing soldiers, their escape narrowly succeeded.

Yet tragedy struck soon after. Yi-yeol, still carrying Eun-jo’s soul, was ambushed outside the palace by assassins sent by Im Seung-jae, who harbored deep resentment. During the struggle, Yi-yeol fell into the water, and at that instant, the two souls returned to their original bodies.

As Yi-yeol sank beneath the surface, a faint smile crossed his face, recalling his earlier vow that he would willingly take her death upon himself if the day ever came. The quiet expression transformed the scene into a devastating portrait of selfless love, drawing tears from viewers.

Whether Yi-yeol can survive remains uncertain. Though their souls are restored, the fate awaiting the two lovers appears more merciless than ever.

Reported by News Culture [e-mail]