Nam Ji-hyun's Bold Move to Protect Moon Sang-min in 'Beloved Bandit'

Nam Ji-hyun makes a daring decision to protect Moon Sang-min in the KBS 2TV weekend mini-series 'Beloved Bandit'.

In the 13th episode aired on the 14th, viewers were left stunned as Hong Eun-jo (played by Nam Ji-hyun) confessed to being the shield for Lee Yeol (played by Moon Sang-min), who was caught in a trap. The episode garnered a 6.9% viewership rating, with a peak of 7.9% during the scene where Lee Yeol tells Hong Eun-jo, 'I'll go with you, wherever it ends.' (Nielsen Korea, nationwide household standard)

After her soul returned to its rightful place, Hong Eun-jo found Lee Yeol, who had fallen off a cliff after being attacked. Holding his hand tightly as he hovered between life and death, she said, 'A long sleep is not good. You said you forgot how to survive the winter alone,' evoking deep emotions.

With Hong Eun-jo's care, Lee Yeol survived the critical moment and devised a plan to use Im Seung-jae (played by Do Sang-woo) as bait to take down Im Sa-hyung's (played by Choi Won-young) family. Contrary to their expectations, Im Sa-hyung made a shocking decision to poison his son for the sake of the family, leaving viewers in disbelief. He also ordered Im Jae-yi (played by Hong Min-ki) to attack Lee Yeol, heightening the tension.

Unable to defy his father's orders, Im Jae-yi had no choice but to walk a different path from Hong Eun-jo and Lee Yeol. Seeking solace in alcohol, Im Jae-yi secretly conveyed his feelings to Hong Eun-jo, trying to move on from his unrequited love. The situation of these youths, forced to turn against each other due to the harsh realities they face, was heart-wrenching.

While Im Jae-yi suffered from his unrequited love, the bond between Hong Eun-jo and Lee Yeol grew stronger. Lee Yeol joined the reform forces to create a world where Hong Eun-jo wouldn't have to become a bandit. Meanwhile, Hong Eun-jo resolved to protect Lee Yeol, who had always been there for her in times of danger.

Meanwhile, King Lee Gyu's (played by Ha Seok-jin) tyranny worsened due to his addiction to incense, increasing the sense of unease. Tormented by nightmares on the night the courtesans were stolen, he ordered the capture of the assassin who shot an arrow at him. While searching the crime scene, Im Jae-yi discovered a cotton arrow, a symbol of Gil-dong, leading to a royal decree to kill Gil-dong throughout the capital.

Reading the wanted poster in the marketplace, Hong Eun-jo realized that the 'man of nine feet' mentioned was targeting Lee Yeol, leaving her in shock. Determined not to let Lee Yeol get hurt, she made a firm decision and sought out Im Jae-yi.

At the same time, Lee Yeol was furious with Im Jae-yi for endangering Hong Eun-jo by bringing the name Gil-dong to light. However, Im Jae-yi was unaware that Hong Eun-jo was Gil-dong. Just as tensions were about to escalate between the two men, Hong Eun-jo appeared, revealing a butcher's mask from her bosom and declaring, 'Arrest me, I'm Gil-dong,' shocking both Lee Yeol and Im Jae-yi. It remains to be seen whether Hong Eun-jo's confession can save Lee Yeol from the clutches of the king and Im Sa-hyung's family.

The heartfelt love of the bandit Nam Ji-hyun to protect Grand Prince Moon Sang-min continues in the 14th episode of KBS 2TV's weekend mini-series 'Beloved Bandit', airing on the 15th at 9:20 PM.

Reporter Chaeryeong Lim, TenAsia syjj426@tenasia.co.kr