Actor Song Ji-ho delivered a tearful performance that captured the hearts of viewers.
Song Ji-ho appeared in To My Beloved Thief as Hong Dae-il, portraying with restraint the complex emotions of a son collapsing before the death of his father, firmly establishing his presence on screen.
Episode 9 depicted a tragic event in which Hong Min-jik, who had traveled to Namwon, sought out King Lee Gyu but was struck by an arrow and died. Carrying his father in a devastated state, Hong Dae-il rushed to find Hong Eun-jo and pleaded desperately, saying, "Eun-jo, I brought Father back. You’re a physician, so please look at him quickly. He didn’t speak the whole way here. I think I did something wrong," heightening the sense of sorrow.
Unable to accept reality, Hong Dae-il later broke down in tears, repeating, "Father, you have to wake up now. We have to go back. We still have a long way to go." The moment revealed the deep familial love hidden behind a character who had often seemed immature and carefree, adding emotional weight to the drama.
Another side of Hong Dae-il also came into focus. Even in their grief, he, Hong Eun-jo, and their mother Chun-seom could only swallow their tears silently in a world where even blaming the king was considered a crime. As their suppressed emotions lingered, tension escalated when Eun-jo was suspected of being behind the arrow that Lee-yeol took in her place.
After relentless interrogation by the Uigeumbu, Eun-jo was cleared of suspicion with the help of Lee-yeol and Lim Jae-yi. Unable to hold back any longer, Hong Dae-il stepped forward. Risking danger, he vented the family’s pent-up anguish, saying, "This is truly too much. My heart is already torn apart just knowing Father died by His Majesty’s arrow." The scene marked an explosive release of emotion and clearly showed the character’s growth.
Song Ji-ho carefully traced Hong Dae-il’s transformation from a grumbling son into someone who confronts fear to protect his family, elevating the drama’s overall impact. Viewers have continued to praise his performance for never missing the subtle textures of emotion.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
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