Moon Sang-min’s Prince Lee Yeol Goes Viral in KBS2 “To My Beloved Thief” — Viewership Climbs to 4.5%

Why Fans Can’t Stop Talking About Moon Sang-min’s First “To My Beloved Thief” Moment

It started quiet. Then clips hit the timeline.

Moon Sang-min’s first on-screen run as Grand Prince Yi Yeol in KBS2’s weekend drama To My Beloved Thief (also seen in English coverage as “Dear Thief…”) didn’t feel like a normal entrance. It felt like a “wait—who is THAT?” moment.

The Visuals Hit Different (But That’s Not the Whole Point)

Let’s be honest. The hanbok fit is the first thing people noticed. Not everyone can pull off “royal energy” without looking like cosplay. He does.

Tall frame. Clean lines. And a face that reads “untouchable” the second he enters.

That matters because sageuk leads live or die by presence. You have to believe the status before the plot even starts.

What Actually Hooks People: Two Sides, One Character

Yi Yeol looks playful on the outside. He jokes. He acts bored. He moves like nothing can touch him.

But the writing gives him a second layer: sharp instincts, hidden loneliness, and a protective streak he doesn’t announce.

“He didn’t just play a ‘pretty prince.’ He played someone hiding real weight behind an easy smile.”

Moon sells that switch in small beats. A glance that turns serious. A smile that fades fast.

No big speeches needed. That kind of control is why people keep watching.

The Chemistry Isn’t “Forced Cute”

The main pairing works early because it doesn’t feel staged.

Nam Ji-hyun plays Hong Eun-jo—doctor by day, “Hong Gil-dong” style thief by night.

Moon’s Yi Yeol comes in direct. Curious. A little too honest.

The push-pull lands because both characters feel like they’re hiding something. So every scene has tension, even when it’s flirting.

The Ratings Are a Signal, Not a Victory Lap

Episode 1 opened at 4.3% nationwide. Episode 2 rose to 4.5%, with a peak minute hitting 5.2%.

That’s not “instant smash.” It’s something more useful: word-of-mouth building in real time.

And for a new weekend drama, that’s exactly what you want in week one.

What This Moment Means

This isn’t about calling him “new.” He’s not.

It’s about a new lane opening.

Moon Sang-min is proving he can carry sageuk romance with comedy, charm, and quiet intensity—at the same time.

That mix is rare. And it’s why people are talking.

Episode 3 airs January 10 at 9:20 PM (KST) on KBS2.

Expect the timeline to be loud again.