To My Beloved Thief and Nam Ji Hyun’s Journey
On February 24, actress Nam Ji Hyun sat down with local media to discuss her recently concluded historical drama To My Beloved Thief. The series, which aired to strong reception, follows Hong Eun Jo (played by Nam Ji Hyun), a righteous thief who robs the rich to help the poor under the legendary alias of Hong Gil Dong. Alongside her is Prince Yi Yeol (Moon Sang Min), who seeks to uncover the thief’s true identity, only for their souls to be unexpectedly switched.
In To My Beloved Thief, Nam Ji Hyun portrayed Hong Eun Jo, a physician by day and a daring thief by night. Her performance was praised for its depth and nuance, as she convincingly balanced the character’s dual identities. When asked about the challenges of playing such a layered role, she explained, “I went into it with the mindset of trying various things, so it wasn’t particularly hard, though I was a little worried about the action scenes.” She credited the stunt team for their support, noting that they ensured her safety during demanding sequences. Despite the physical strain of filming in the summer heat, she expressed satisfaction at being able to explore a wide range of emotions and actions through the role.
The drama’s central figure, Hong Gil Dong, is rarely portrayed by a woman, raising questions about whether Nam Ji Hyun felt pressure in taking on the role. She responded confidently, “There have been many diverse portrayals of independent female characters recently, so I didn’t feel pressured. Eun Jo lived independently even when she was working as a physician during the day.”
Reflecting on her similarities with Hong Eun Jo, Nam Ji Hyun estimated, “I think it’s about 50 percent.” She explained that after filming Little Women, she began to view her characters more objectively. “Eun Jo is much more loving than I am, and she moves far more boldly and daringly than I would in an effort to change reality. I tend to accept reality and find the best within it, while Eun Jo has the courage to take one step further. That difference was particularly appealing.”
Known for her upright and righteous roles, Nam Ji Hyun addressed concerns about being typecast. “I think that could be my color. If I come to be seen as someone who represents trustworthy characters, that would be an honor. Perhaps one day I’ll be free from that image, and as I grow older, I might get opportunities to show new sides of myself—even as a villain.”
The drama concluded with Hong Eun Jo and Yi Yeol reuniting in modern times, sparking fan speculation about a second season. Nam Ji Hyun revealed, “That final scene was originally in the script. It felt like we were shooting a new drama, almost like giving a surprise gift to viewers.” While no official discussions have taken place, she expressed openness to returning if Season 2 were set in modern times.
Nam Ji Hyun also addressed her absence from Good Partner Season 2, explaining that scheduling conflicts and the direction of the new story prevented her participation. She expressed confidence in her co-star Na Ra, who will continue the series.
Celebrating her 22nd debut anniversary this year, Nam Ji Hyun reflected on her career trajectory. Beginning as a child actress at age nine in 2004, she now finds herself mentoring younger actors. “When I was young, adults on set played with me a lot. I’m not the fun type, but I try to chat casually with the kids. I hope to become someone who can give my juniors a steady sense of stability.” Looking ahead, she shared, “In my twenties, my goal was to mature in the eyes of the audience, and that happened faster than I expected. Now, I want to boldly show new sides of myself and try different things.”
To My Beloved Thief is available to stream on Viki and Netflix, offering viewers a chance to experience Nam Ji Hyun’s compelling performance as Hong Eun Jo.
Read: To My Beloved Thief: How Moon Sang Min’s Emotional Performance Became a Romance Landmark
