In the 12th episode of KBS 2TV's 'Beloved Thief', aired on the 8th, Hong Eun-jo (played by Nam Ji-hyun) and Lee Yeol (played by Moon Sang-min) join forces to rescue courtesans from the tyrannical King Lee Gyu (played by Ha Seok-jin). The episode reached a peak rating of 7.3%, with a climactic scene where Lee Yeol is attacked and falls into the water, hitting a momentary high of 8.2% according to Nielsen Korea's nationwide household ratings.
The tension between Hong Eun-jo, who is determined to join the coup to save the people, and Lee Yeol, who wants to prevent her involvement to protect her, intensifies. Lee Yeol even threatens to expose the coup leaders by taking a list of names to the authorities, trying to stop Hong Eun-jo's resolve.
Despite opposing the coup to protect Hong Eun-jo, Lee Yeol cannot stand idly by as his brother Lee Gyu's tyranny continues. Having witnessed the suffering of the people while in Hong Eun-jo's body, Lee Yeol pleads with Lee Gyu to listen to the cries of the people. However, Lee Gyu, intoxicated and indifferent, orders the courtesans to continue their exhausting performances until they collapse.
Ultimately, Lee Yeol decides to rescue the courtesans from Lee Gyu's quarters with Hong Eun-jo. Hong Eun-jo, in Lee Yeol's body, seeks help from the Queen Dowager (played by Kim Jung-nan) and the Queen (played by Kim Ji-soo), while Lee Yeol, in Hong Eun-jo's body, requests assistance from Shin Hae-rim (played by Han So-eun).
Under the cover of night, with the Queen Dowager and Queen's support, Hong Eun-jo, along with bodyguard Dae-chu (played by Lee Seung-woo), leads the courtesans out of the palace. Shin Hae-rim stalls Lee Gyu, buying time for Lee Yeol and Kang Yoon-bok (played by Moon Tae-yu) to guide the courtesans to safety. Despite Lee Gyu and his soldiers closing in, Hong Eun-jo's arrows from afar ensure their escape.
Furious at losing the courtesans, Lee Gyu summons Im Sa-hyung, the Chief State Councilor. Previously, Im Sa-hyung had been caught plotting to control the king through poison and was being tortured. Despite his exposure, Im Sa-hyung brazenly returns, inciting viewers' anger.
Meanwhile, Im Sa-hyung's son, Im Seung-jae (played by Do Sang-woo), harbors a grudge against Lee Yeol for stripping him of his position and seeks an opportunity for revenge. Unaware, Hong Eun-jo, in Lee Yeol's body, ventures outside the palace and is attacked by Im Seung-jae's men, falling into the water. At that moment, Hong Eun-jo and Lee Yeol's souls return to their rightful bodies.
As Lee Yeol, injured and sinking, smiles faintly, recalling the day their souls switched. He had always believed he might one day take Hong Eun-jo's place in death. "I thought a day would come when I would take your death too, and my answer is willingly," Lee Yeol's profound love for Hong Eun-jo leaves viewers deeply moved.
Reported by Jung Se-yoon, TenAsia yoon@tenasia.co.kr