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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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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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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A Twisted Crime Caper With Style and Surprises
I aim to keep my reviews short, spoiler-free, and focused on the key points to help you decide if a drama is worth your time. I never fast-forward and always strive to watch the entire series to give a fair and thorough perspective.Nine Puzzles is one of a kind, definitely not your typical thriller or crime drama. It gave me The Mentalist vibes, but with a much darker edge. What really stands out is the cheeky main duo whose chemistry and playful banter bring levity to an otherwise grim storyline.
The plot has some strong ideas and is crafted well enough to keep you hooked. While I wouldn’t call it unpredictable, it does a solid job at maintaining suspense and playing mind games with the audience. The performances across the entire cast are strong, consistent and engaging, which helps ground the story. That said, I still wish some characters had been given more screen time, as a few of them had great potential that wasn’t fully explored.
It’s not flawless, more attention to detail could’ve elevated it to something truly great, but it still delivers a gripping experience. If you give it a shot, you’ll find a story that’s intriguing and characters that are compelling enough to make the journey worthwhile.
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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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This review may contain spoilers
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?
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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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This review may contain spoilers
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?
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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Didnt really hook me
At first I thought the theme of the show was interesting but the way they played it out was so anticlimactic that it hursts.Acting was a bit iffy at times but overall acceptable.
Storyline was rather bad and felt like a copy of a thousand other shows. Even the reason for all those murders felt so generic.
Also at times stuff felt a bit unbelievable. How did the killer know the person in the hospital would die or the other one would jump of the building. The individual murders felt like the writer didnt fully think them through.
Usually when I think a show is below mediocre I stop watching after two eps. But somehow I finished it all and I regret wasting almost 11 hours of my life for this.
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SUSPENSE THAT HOOKS YOU
This drama kept me hooked. The chemistry between the female lead and male lead is one of the highlights. Their scenes together feel natural and make the story more engaging.What I enjoyed most was the female lead’s character. She’s unpredictable in a way that makes you curious about her next move. Her presence adds a layer of excitement and keeps you watching closely.
The suspects and villains are also well written. Each one brings tension to the story, and I found myself guessing and doubting almost everyone at some point. However, the mastermind behind it all felt a little underwhelming. Her backstory and motives weren’t explored enough and some parts of her arc had plot holes. It left me thinking the show could have gone deeper into her story, especially in showing how she carried out her revenge.
On the other hand, the drama shines in its cinematography and acting. Every scene looks polished, and the performances are convincing across the board. Each episode builds suspense bit by bit, and the slow reveal of the bigger picture made want for more.
This drama overall is an entertaining watch with good acting, a strong lead duo, and suspense that carries through each episode. While the main villain could have been written with more depth, the drama still delivers enough twists and mood to keep you invested until the end.
Plot 8/10
Acting and Characters 9/10
Cinematography 9.5/10
Writing 7.5/10
Pacing 9/10
OST/Score 8/10
Overall 8.5/10
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