After a string of underperforming weekend miniseries despite casting top-tier stars, KBS has finally found a breakthrough. The network’s latest weekend drama, To My Beloved Thief, starring Nam Ji Hyun and Moon Sang Min, has steadily climbed in ratings since its premiere, reversing the slump that had plagued KBS’s weekend lineup.
The fantasy historical romance follows Hong Eun Jo (played by Nam Ji Hyun), a woman who lives a double life as a healer by day and a righteous thief by night. Her fate becomes entangled with Prince Yi Yeol (Moon Sang Min) when the two unexpectedly swap souls. As they struggle to adjust to their new realities, they ultimately grow to understand each other and join forces to protect the people.
The series debuted with a 4.3 percent nationwide rating (Nielsen Korea) and continued to gain momentum, reaching 7.3 percent by episode 12 its highest viewership to date. The consistent upward trajectory marks a rare success for KBS weekend miniseries in recent years.
Previously, high-profile productions such as Twelve, Walking on Thin Ice, and Last Summer failed to meet expectations despite featuring well-known actors including Ma Dong Seok, Lee Young Ae, and Lee Jae Wook. Both ratings and buzz remained lukewarm, leading to growing concerns over the competitiveness of KBS’s weekend dramas. Against this backdrop, the success of To My Beloved Thief is being seen as a meaningful turnaround.
Industry observers attribute the drama’s popularity to its fresh genre blend and the cast’s stable performances. While the body-swap trope is not new, incorporating it into a historical setting adds a distinctive twist. Nam Ji Hyun, in particular, has drawn praise for convincingly portraying contrasting personalities within a single character, seamlessly shifting emotional tones without exaggeration. Her nuanced performance anchors the drama and heightens viewers’ immersion.
The on-screen chemistry between Nam Ji Hyun and Moon Sang Min has also been widely noted. Their playful, fast-paced romantic exchanges especially after the soul swap enhance the show’s charm. Supporting actors such as Hong Min Gi and Han So Eun further strengthen the narrative with solid performances that complement the leads.
Cultural critic Ha Jae Geun pointed out that KBS’s core audience skews toward middle-aged and older viewers, who traditionally favor historical dramas. He explained that the historical genre alone naturally attracts interest, and the addition of an extreme yet comedic soul-exchange premise caters to weekend viewers who enjoy dynamic and stimulating storylines. He added that although the concept of soul-swapping in a historical drama might initially seem unconventional, Nam Ji Hyun’s convincing portrayal stabilizes the narrative and allows the drama’s strengths to shine.
Beyond television ratings, the series has also performed strongly in buzz rankings. In the first week of February, it ranked fourth in the integrated TV-OTT drama buzz chart and has consistently remained among the top titles on major streaming platforms such as Netflix and Wavve. The drama has also entered the Top 5 in overseas regions including the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania, signaling growing global interest.
With some episodes remaining until its finale, attention now turns to whether To My Beloved Thief can maintain its upward momentum and conclude on a high note, cementing its role as the series that revitalized KBS’s struggling weekend miniseries slot.
Sources: Naver