K-Drama “My Beloved Thief” Review | A Story That Questions Love Beyond Class and the Meaning of One’s Own Worth
At last, “은애하는 도적님아” has reached its final episode.
It may sound cliché, but I don’t think I’ll be able to shake off the afterglow for quite some time…
That’s because this series was far more than a simple historical romance.
From the thrill of a love story and the intrigue of its fantasy premise to its questioning of social structures and even the modern theme of self-affirmation,
it was a multilayered drama that felt like it took the very best elements from every genre.
Overview
Originally titled “은애하는 도적님아” this 16-episode historical romance is set during the Joseon Dynasty and is currently streaming on Netflix.
At the center of the story is Hong Eun-jo.
By day, she works as a medical officer saving the poor; by night, she becomes the righteous thief “Gilton,” stealing from the wealthy and redistributing their riches to the people.
Standing before her is the royal Lee Yeol.
Though he is in a position to pursue Gilton, he gradually finds himself moved by Eun-jo’s beliefs and way of life.
Then one day, their souls are switched…
I nearly stopped watching, unsure whether I could accept such an impossible premise.
Yet in truth, this very device elevates the story beyond simple romance into the realm of ideology.
The “Wall” of the Class System
The class system of the Joseon era was rigid.
It was a world where one’s value was determined at birth.
At the top stood the yangban (aristocracy), followed by the jungin (middle class), commoners, and the lowest class.
A line spoken in the drama lingers:
감히 천것 따위가.
“How dare someone so lowly.”
At the heart of these words lies the consciousness of “I am above you.”
Even without directly saying “lowly,” the structure of wielding power, titles, or status as a shield feels uncomfortably continuous with the past.
Yes, something like class consciousness still remains in modern times, merely in altered form.
That is why the story this work tells is not one confined to a distant past.
Another line echoes the same sentiment:
내가 누군지 알아?
“Do you know who I am?”
Again, what lies beneath is the belief that “I am above you.”
Even if the word “lowly” is not spoken, the act of asserting power or position is deeply connected to history.
Class awareness has not disappeared; it has simply changed shape.
And so, this is not merely a story of long ago.
The Meaning of the Soul Switch
Body- or soul-switching is not uncommon in Korean dramas.
However, in this work it functions not as a comedic device but as a tool of social critique.
A royal experiences life from the position of the discriminated.
One who holds power comes to understand the fear of having it taken away.
The scene in which Lee Yeol sees the world through the eyes of the common people, standing at their level for the first time, marks a crucial turning point in the narrative.
What is love? What is justice?
The answers become visible only when one transcends position and status.
Unforgettable Lines
Near the end of the story, Eun-jo writes in a letter:
귀천은 세상이 아니라 내가 정하는 것이기 때문입니다.
“Nobility or lowliness is not determined by the world, but by oneself.”
These words, I felt, are the very core of the work.
Until the very end, she never allowed others to define her worth.
That is why she was strong—and beautiful.
Rather than relying on spectacle, the careful portrayal of emotional nuance gave the story its depth.
Why This Drama Resonates Now
Modern society, too, is overflowing with evaluation.
Academic background, titles, income, number of followers—
we are constantly, often unconsciously, allowing “the world” to define our value.
And at times, we encounter displays of power symbolized by the phrase, “Do you know who I am?”
That is precisely why the message—that nobility or lowliness is something we decide for ourselves—strikes so powerfully.
Conclusion
“은애하는 도적님아” is a romance, a fantasy, and a work of social commentary.
Above all, it is a story about defining one’s own worth.
Even after the final episode, that is why it continues to linger in my heart…
