binge worthy
a solid thriller that was engaging till the end. i binged the episodes as they released. the serial killer and the puzzles were a great plotline, which makes the viewers question who to trust. the last two episodes where the reveal and aftermath happen are quite powerful and hard hitting. the major plot-hole for me is *spoiler* how the killer carried out the murders. idk if i would watch a second season thoughWas this review helpful to you?
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A Twisty, Unpredictable Tale..
Nine Puzzles is a meticulously written thriller with one of the most powerful ensemble casts of the year and a top notch screenplay.. Its mystery in its purest form.. The writing is incredibly layered and superior, giving not just the main leads but also the antagonist so much depth.. The slow yet effective reveals and backstories in the narrative just keeps you intrigued throughout..The backbone of the drama is its excellent writing and direction.. And of course the two insanely talented leads, Kim Da Mi and Son Suk Ku.. Their performances were nothing short of brilliant.. The same goes for Park Gyu Young.. She was really good but she stayed under the radar, because of the two masterclass actors..
So the drama, its a slow burn but totally worth it.. The core essence of any mystery drama lies in the questions why, how, who and getting those answers.. But just as important is how those answers are revealed.. Nine Puzzles nails that aspect brilliantly..
The shift in dynamics between Hansaem and Ena is one of the drama’s highlights for me.. What begins as a relationship defined by suspicion slowly evolves into something built on trust and quiet loyalty.. I like how its not done in a grand revelation but through a series of small, human moments.. And even though romance doesnt officially exist between them, the tension is clearly there.. Its not the dramatic moments or something but the smaller things.. I loved how they were with each other.. But removing the romance subplot was the right thing to do.. It turned out well..
" Perfection.. In Good Or Evil.. Is denied to Saints And Sinners alike.. "
The antagonist here isn’t portrayed as purely evil but as someone shaped by pain and loss.. She is not a chaotic killer.. She is calm, methodical and that's what makes her terrifying.. It suggests that she has completely detached from anything remotely human.. Her actions come from a place of deep grief.. Grief for a lost self that never got justice.. The way she dies, the way she chooses to end it all shows that her mindset throughout the drama likely sways between a sense of righteousness, believing her actions are justified and inner torment as she grapples with the moral weight of what she has done. It’s tragic..
I love it when a drama is so good, so impactful that it makes you fall in love with the very idea of dramas all over again.. Nine Puzzles is one of those.. It reminds you why we keep coming back to these stories.. Sure there were flaws.. But honestly I couldn’t care less..
Now if I liked it so much, why didn't I give this 10 out of 10 or even a 9.5?? Maybe I was just too Puzzled after that last Puzzle piece.. I mean are we getting another season?? Probably not.. Then what was that puzzle?? Was it connected to the one they solved?? Or is it a completely new one?? A copy cat?? If they do give us a second season.. Great, I am all in.. But if not.. Was that last tease really necessary??
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Great FL performance, mediocre mystery
The good:- The FL performance is excellent. A unique and interesting characterization, just tons of aura
- The FL wardrobe is also excellent. At times it felt like he sheer number of wardrobe changes she goes through in the early eps was unnecessary, except each outfit was so good we just say thank you and ignore the plausibility
- The FL and ML relationship in the middle arc was pretty good
The bad:
- Everything about the mystery in this is both very obvious and handled super heavy handedly. Just every beat it feels like the writers are yelling at you "ISNT THIS SUSPICIOUS!" Just a total lack of subtlety
- Something about the broader cast felt weird, I am not sure if it's a result of being a disney production, but it felt like a lot of the bigger named actors in support roles were trying too hard to like "be an amazing actor". I am not sure how to convey this quality, and it may have been more a result of the directing trying to emphasize those side actors and imply maybe we should suspect them or something, but whatever it was kept taking me out of the scenes.
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Good concept
This is a mostly easy watch, the story is good, the acting is good FL Kim Da Min, I really enjoyed her performance definitely the highlight of the show. It has the right amount of suspense not to much, not to gory either. I wish they had handled the end of the case better but I'm not mad I enjoy it all the same.I hope they do a season 2, the ending left the possibility of season 2 open. I think season 2 could be even better tha this season.
Watch if you enjoy a good mystery, a little bit of suspense and a quirky detective. Also a good paced story.
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It's like a Sherlock Holmes and John Watson partnership with all the cute deduction role play
So far, I find this series to be an enthralling watch. It avoids being overly predictable, and the mystery that unfolds in each episode keeps you guessing, which only heightens the anticipation for the next one. The lead actors deliver strong performances—Kim Dami portrays a brilliant profiler, while Son Sukku plays a veteran detective. Initially skeptical of her, the detective eventually teams up with her to investigate a string of serial murders. I particularly appreciate the clever deduction scenes, which reminded me of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. I find Kim Dami's character a bit annoying with her facial expressions and demeanor, but, I guess it's just part of her role, so I guess she's nailing it. While some parts of the show felt unnecessary or a bit dragged out, and a few scenes raised questions, overall, it's a series I still recommend.Was this review helpful to you?
Predictable, slow, dragging, not thrilling!!
Nine Puzzles had a solid concept and a decent storyline, but it was painfully slow, uneventful, and dragged way too much. The only reason I stuck around was to confirm the killer who was already obvious and uncover the backstory.Each episode felt like a chore, leaving me with a tight, uneasy feeling, but I powered through (and no, it’s not about my taste, I’ve watched Doubt and other thrillers). The FL didn’t click, and as for the ML, my second drama of his, and I’m still not sold.
For a psychological investigative thriller, it lacked any real thrill. A drama stuffed with A-list actors doesn’t automatically make it good. And can they stop making the killer the most obvious choice by giving them barely any screen time or storyline?
The one scene that stood out? The ending? her choice with the fire was bold! The leads? Completely forgettable. If there’s a S2, they need a major revamp or just scrap it altogether.
A 7/10 for me, but definitely a one-time watch.
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Nine Puzzles - a nice surprise
Nine Puzzles - a nice surprise for someone who went into watching this without knowing what it was about or who was in the cast, something I think I should do more often. Whilst in my heart it's not going to win any awards for being the best at anything, it ranks solid to very good in every category (not just MDL categories but other categories such as directing, editing, etc.). The story was complex and unpredictable, but not too complex nor was it too out there in its' final episodes (although the final episode was a tad disappointing).I really enjoyed how each character was somehow linked with one another, alongside the variation of personalities and the really good performances of the cast involved. The chemistry with everyone here really stood out for me and it was a joy to watch. A couple of negatives I feel are right to point out are the occasional cringe in dialogue or the sudden abrupt change of dialogue, for example, two characters are talking about something very serious to the story and it makes the viewer want to know more, and then suddenly they change to topic rapidly to something lighthearted such as coffee or pizza, that kind of thing.
I would say I thoroughly enjoyed, but not absolutely loved, Nine Puzzles. Pacing was very good though, alongside the characters, cast and story (oh, and OST too)! So I do recommend this.
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Nine Puzzle is like a slow-burning psychological thriller that just pulls you in. It follows I Na, a criminal profiler haunted by her uncle’s murder a case that’s been a mystery for years, especially since she was once suspected. Each episode feels like piecing together an emotional puzzle. The chemistry between I Na and detective Han Saem is low-key but tense, which I loved. This drama isn’t just about crime it’s about trauma, memories, and all the feels that come with it. If you’re into thoughtful, slow-paced crime stories with depth, you gotta watch Nine Puzzle! Was this review helpful to you?
The killer is kinda predictable
If you’re into solving cases, mysteries, and the detective genre, Nine Puzzles might be worth adding to your watchlist. It delivers the suspense and intrigue you’d expect from a crime drama, with decent acting and a fitting setting that brings the story to life.The storyline leans on the sad side, and while it has its gripping moments, it also feels a bit typical, similar to plots we’ve already seen in other K-dramas. Still, it manages to hold attention for those who enjoy piecing together clues and following a trail of mystery.
Overall, Nine Puzzles is not groundbreaking, but it’s a solid watch if you’re craving a detective-style drama with a mix of suspense and emotion.
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A haunting masterpiece that pieces together pain, memory, and healing.
"I don’t even know how to begin ""Nine Puzzles ""broke my heart in the softest way, piece by piece, like the mystery it carried."Some stories keep you guessing.
Some make you cry.
But Nine Puzzles? It makes you feel everything all at once ,and then leaves you in complete silence, trying to breathe again.
This wasn’t just a mystery drama. It was a slow-burning, soul-touching experience.
It took the shape of a puzzle, but each piece was carved out of human emotion, grief, fear, guilt, love, survival.
From the very first episode, I knew this would be different.
Every frame was beautifully painful, every scene layered with emotion, every silence louder than words.
It felt less like fiction, and more like walking through someone’s shattered memories.
And the performances… truly unforgettable.
Kim Da-mi was a force of nature. Her quiet pain, her resilience, her inner battles,she lived this role so fully, I forgot she was acting. Her eyes alone held chapters of heartbreak.
But this drama didn’t belong to one actor.
Son Sukku, with his calm but stormy presence, was equally mesmerizing. His character carried grief in the subtlest of ways through glances, pauses, unspoken words. He brought such vulnerability that I found myself aching with him.
Together, they didn’t just act,, they connected.
It wasn’t about romance. It was about recognition. Two people who knew what it meant to be broken, and still chose to stand up ,for themselves, and for each other.
The writing was elegant and poetic. The way each episode revealed just enough to keep you trembling with curiosity… it was art.
The direction , dark, sensitive, and graceful, allowed the pain to unfold naturally.
The OST? It echoed the characters’ emotions so deeply, I still hear it when I close my eyes.
And that ending… I was left staring at the screen, tears rolling down, heart swollen with both sorrow and peace.
It wasn’t perfect ,but it was real. And that made it perfect in its own way.
Final Thoughts:
Nine Puzzles isn't just a drama. It's a mirror to the hidden parts of yourself.
It’s about people who have lost something sometimes themselves ,and are trying to put it back together.
You’ll feel the weight of their silence.
You’ll cry with them.
You’ll root for their healing.
And when it ends, you’ll sit there quietly because you’ll realize this drama just changed something inside you.
My Rating: 100/10
A masterpiece that still echoes in my heart.
🪄✨
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Has a grip on you but can be a bit lacklustre
I thought the plot twist would be that the FL has some type of mental illness where she has an alter ego that commits these murders but she well has no idea. The other things I was fully convinced was that the captain of the station was the murderer because the handkerchief thing I mean I think it’s illegal to tamper with evidence in a crime scene. This profiling job so fr like these people are hella observant like is there a course they teach in the police academy to make these people notice things and people’s ulterior motives???? I am happy it didn’t have any romance in it.“Why would someone kill one person to build a place where another can live” ~ Lee Seung-Joo
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