With political intrigue, deceit, and romance, Captivating the King has all the elements we’re familiar with in Korean sageuk romances. It’s easy to appreciate the impeccable production design and every time Jo Jung-suk pulls at the heartstrings through the Grand Prince Jinhan’s tears, but the series starts incredibly slowly. Apparently, before Hee-soo can captivate said king, the first few episodes must delve into every single detail that made the prince into a king. This does help set up the political landscape Yi In has to operate in, but it keeps its viewers waiting too long for the undercover love story implied by the premise.

It’s not clear why Kang Hee-soo crossdresses to play baduk. It’s not like she’s not allowed to do so– in feminine clothing, she’s not banned from playing, and even promises not to marry anyone who can’t beat her– and to be honest, it’s too obvious that she’s a woman, which would probably hinder her later espionage efforts. This makes it harder to suspend disbelief, especially when the crossdressing here just feels randomly placed.