Nine Puzzles

This One's a Must-Watch!

Okay, K-drama fam, what are you even doing if you haven't started Nine Puzzles yet?! I was hooked from the opening action. I realized I desperately needed it only when I started watching this drama. It’s been rough these past few years in the K-drama world. Nine Puzzles immediately draws you in with its dark and compelling central mystery. We meet Yoon Ena (Kim Da-mi), who, as a high school student, finds her uncle murdered next to a peculiar puzzle piece. The kicker? She has no memory of how she got to the crime scene, making her the prime suspect in the eyes of the lead investigator, Detective Kim Hansaem (Son Suk-ku). The case goes cold, but the shadow of suspicion never leaves Ena.

Fast forward ten years, and Ena has become an exceptionally talented criminal profiler for the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. Just when she thought she might escape her past, a new string of murders begins, each victim found with a similar, eerie puzzle piece. These new crimes are undeniably linked to her uncle's cold case, forcing Ena to confront her buried memories and team up with the very detective who once suspected her. Fueled by past trauma and present urgency, their tension is palpable and makes for incredible viewing.

I absolutely loved how the drama weaves a complex web, promising a deep dive into psychological thrills. It's not just about finding the killer; it's about uncovering a decade-old truth, understanding trauma, and navigating the blurred lines of trust and suspicion. The casting of Kim Da-mi and Son Suk-ku is nothing short of brilliant. Their dynamic is the absolute heart of this show. The last time I saw Kim Da-mi in a drama was in Our Beloved Summer, but she first made a profound impact as Yi Seo in Itaewon Class; she was top-notch. And it is the same here. She is simply captivating as Yoon Ena, and I am not surprised that she is; she is a seriously gifted actor. She brings her signature intensity and raw vulnerability to the role. Ena isn't your typical profiler; she's burdened by her past, emotionally guarded, yet incredibly sharp and almost unnervingly direct. Da-mi perfectly portrays Ena's internal conflict – the trauma of her forgotten past battling with her present brilliance. There are moments where her quirky, almost detached demeanor belies a deep well of pain and determination. Her expressions, especially in her eyes, convey so much about a character who has lived under a cloud of suspicion for so long. She’s the kind of complex female lead I crave in crime thrillers, and Da-mi delivers her with an impressive nuance that makes you both root for her and question her at the same time.

And then there's Son Suk-ku as Detective Kim Hansaem. Oh, my goodness, he's just phenomenal! Hansaem is a meticulous, driven detective who has never let go of Ena's uncle's murder—his first unsolved case. I have to admit he is the reason I watched this drama. He's pragmatic, cynical, and initially views Ena with a heavy dose of skepticism, if not outright suspicion. Suk-ku embodies Hansaem's weariness and dogged determination with such precision. His ability to convey so much with minimal dialogue, using subtle shifts in his gaze or posture, and even his hat, is truly remarkable. The push-and-pull dynamic between Hansaem and Ena is electric; it's not a romantic tension, but a fascinating blend of professional respect, lingering suspicion, and a shared, desperate need for the truth. Their scenes together are a masterclass in subtle chemistry.
While the focus is rightly on the leads, the supporting cast also adds significant weight. Actors like Kim Sung-kyun and Hyun Bong-sik add their considerable talents to the ensemble, adding even more complex character interactions as the mystery deepens. The cameos, oh, my God, star-studded showcasing Hwang Jung Min, Lee Sung Min, Ji Jin-hee, Lee Hee Joon, Ok Ja Yeon, and Park Woong—were also fantastic, adding star power and intrigue.

So, if you are still asking yourself why you should watch Nine Puzzles, I will tell you. The core puzzle concept is brilliantly executed. The clues are unsettling, and the connection between the past and present cases is genuinely chilling. Exceptional leads in Kim Da-mi and Son Suk-ku are a dream team. Their performances alone are enough to make this drama a must-watch. It delves into the trauma of its characters and the complexities of human memory and perception, elevating it beyond a simple crime procedural. Yoon Jong-bin directs the icing; the cinematography, pacing, and overall atmosphere are top-notch, ensuring a gripping viewing experience.

This drama did not disappoint, not one bit. It delivered in every way possible. It is one of the strongest K-drama thrillers of 2025. It's dark, intelligent, and perfectly cast. If you love a drama that makes you think, keeps you guessing, and features incredible acting, do yourself a favor and start binge-watching Nine Puzzles immediately.

Read More

Started Slow, Ended Hooked, Deserves a Season 2

I pressed play on Nine Puzzles purely because of Son Suk-ku. After A Killer Paradox, I knew this genre was where he absolutely shines and his acting didn’t disappoint. He’s just so good at playing complex characters that keep you guessing.

But I’ll be honest: the first three episodes didn’t draw me in at all. The pacing felt off, and I kept debating whether to drop it. I’m so glad I didn’t, because once the pieces started falling into place, the story became addictive. Every new reveal pulled me deeper in, and by the 4th episode, I was completely invested.

The mix of mystery, tension, and clever twists really paid off in the second half. It felt like the show finally found its rhythm, and Son Suk-ku carried it effortlessly as always.

By the end, I wasn’t just satisfied; I was frustrated in the best way because this story needs a season 2. There’s too much left to explore, and the way it wrapped up practically screams for more.

It’s a slow burn that takes its time, but if you stick with it, the payoff is worth it. And honestly, Son Suk-ku in this kind of role? I’d watch him solve puzzles forever.

Read More

Why Do We Keep On Living Like This?

It a series with non-linear time line with so many suspects , I personally love each and everyone in this series but i never thought killer would be a female ! Ms.Lee Seung Ju is the killer but her past filled with anger, sorrow and loneliness. When she asked - "Why do we keep on living like this?" made me realized she had been went through so much in her life from missing - orphan - mother died because of this (one city apt) - she thought her mom left her in "dream land" but she was waiting for her -till her death in that hotel - she started to kill all the culprits who are involved in it! Such a sad story and ending , I did not expect her to die but she already seen so much in her life so she just got fed up of it !

Coming to performance of the cast , everybody did a nice job in this series as well as i had seen so many korea's most veteran actors in it (after a long time). Definitely a much watch crime drama , if you are fan of it!

Waiting for season 2 and for another interesting puzzle game this time, Please come back soon
Ena x Kim!

Read More

Suprisingly good

I did not think it was the psychiatrist at all! I thought it was her friend until he revealed the truth about his homosexuality lol. I wish they had showed her killings and more from her perspective and if they would’ve this would be a 10/10 no doubt. I also loved Kim Da-Mi in this and Park Gyu Young was spectacular. They also got a lot of spectacular supporting actors! They main leads had an interesting relationship, because I wasn’t sure if they were giving father and daughter or lovers. I didn’t expect a lot so I was suprised by how hooked I was by episode 2. I honestly only watched for Park Gyu Young haha.

Read More

An almost Hannibalesque thriller yet so unique!

Nine Puzzles is a well written crime drama with an interesting plot & from the teaser, it reminded me of Hannibal the series. Now, it was really fun to speculate on who was the killer and whom to trust and the reveal, despite not being that much of a surprise to me, happened to be very charged emotionnally, which was different but still very much enjoyable. The only thing that's a bit meh, a plot hole some might say, is that we didn't get to see how the murders actually occured through the eyes of the killer.

However, this drama, instead of being focused on the extreme plot twist aspect of a thriller story, it is rather centered on characters and actually subtly alludes to some social issues (power, money, corruption, bonus point for the lavender marriage mention) so kudos for that! I also need to mention the absolute mouth gaping cameos, the great music and imagery, the atypicality/neurodivergence of the two main leads that felt fresh and fitted perfectly for the story and ofc the addicting chemistry between Kim Dami and Son Sukku.

Overall, it's a nice thriller drama, definitely perfect for binge watchers! Apprently, there is no season 2 planned but i'm fine with it as i'm very much satisfied with the ending!

Read More

A Psychological Thriller That Challenges Your Mind

Nine Puzzles is a psychological thriller that truly stands out in its genre. It digs deep into the complexities of human behavior, exploring how every action, no matter how extreme, has a reason behind it and often tied to a person’s past or emotional history. The show does an incredible job of portraying characters whose motivations are shaped by their experiences, making them feel real and multidimensional.

The writing connects personal backstories with the overarching mystery in such a seamless way, and the twists? Totally unpredictable, but they feel earned and make the story even more engaging. This isn’t just about solving a mystery but also understanding the "why" behind the actions, and it really gets you thinking about human nature and the ways our past shapes us.

Even though I’m giving this a perfect 10/10, I do have to mention that there are a few details and plot points that feel a bit unfinished. Some things are left unexplained or hinted at, and while some might consider them plot holes, I think they’re intentional. It leaves room for future exploration and makes me excited about what’s to come in the potential next season.

Also, something that’s a bit underappreciated but totally worth mentioning is the cinematography and the whole visual experience. Seriously, the setting, the props, the outfits, everything is so on point. The actors even mentioned in interviews how fashion plays a big role in the story, and you can definitely feel it. The characters’ looks are iconic, and it’s not just about fashion for the sake of fashion, it actually adds to who they are. It’s a small but crucial detail that really makes the drama stand out.

If you’re into psychological thrillers that go beyond the surface and dive into the depths of the human psyche, Nine Puzzles is a must-watch. It’s thought-provoking, emotionally engaging, and insanely entertaining. I can't wait to see where the story goes from here!

Read More

A Mind-Bending Mystery That Keeps You Guessing Till the End

Nine Puzzles is a tightly written and brilliantly executed mystery thriller that grabs your attention from the first episode and never lets go. The storytelling is sharp, and the pacing is quick—making it an easy drama to binge in one sitting.

The mystery unfolds layer by layer, keeping you constantly engaged and curious. Just when you think you’ve figured something out, a new piece of the puzzle flips the entire perspective. If you enjoyed the tension and twists of Black Out, this drama will give you a very similar vibe—with just as much suspense and surprise.

With strong direction, crisp editing, and a storyline that rewards attention to detail, Nine Puzzles is a must-watch for any mystery lover. It's not just entertaining—it’s smart, gripping, and deeply satisfying.

Read More

who is the next killer is it .........?

this movie is really fascinating. The story is very well developed. The cast is awesome , some of them have literally transformed themselves for the role if we look at their previous works

In simplified way we can connect the dots like this nearly more than a decade ago according to the present line of the story , A girl got seperated with her mother in an amusement park 🎢 later she ( the girl ) went to an orphanage thinking her mother abonded her . later she ( the girl ) finds out that her mother never abonded her but she ( the girls mother ) is been waiting for her at their restaurant.
A boy used to work at her( the girl ) mother's restaurant .

[ kim represent kim da mi ]

Now in present the story goes like ... on a rainy night kim da mi's ( not character name but actress real name ) uncle was murdered with a sharp object when she was returning to her home from school , her uncle was murdered but police suspects kim as the killer because after her uncle's death she is going to inherit all his property .

as the story progresses kim becomes a profiler , but a police officer [ Male Lead ] suspects her as the prime suspects in her uncle's death even after 9 years have passed from the uncle's death .

The story moves even more further as kim use to receive puzzle pieces for every murder that is happening. In the begining no one believes that it is a serial killing cases but as the murders begins to connect the dots with each other and to the puzzle pieces . Now every one goes on finding for that serial killer and this is what happens in the present line of the story

( past )

The boy who used to work at the girls mother's restaurant after her ( the girls mother's )death goes on finding her daughter ( the girl ) .

( present )

As the killing goes the totally number of killings of serial murder are tend to be 9 as she( kim ) is to be receive 9 puzzle pieces to complete the whole puzzle because each puzzle tells a different story connected to one city building. All the serial killings are some how connected to one city building .

( few observations )

In the meanwhile kim is seeking psychiatric treatment because of the murder of her uncle as she forgets everything that happened that night .The male lead begans to believe that kim is not the murderer.
The psychiatric and kim developes a very good relationship . The male lead and kim began to investigate about the serial killings and the puzzles

( present story line )

As the story progress in the present timeline
they find out very shocking thing about one city Building , the girl , her uncle , the boy , the killer and the psychiatric doctor

story behind dots
[ one city building ]

The place where one city building was built , once there was seojin dinner and to occupy that land they have killed the land lord of that land

[ the boy ]

the boy who used to work at the girl's mother's restaurant after her ( girl's mother's ) death he goes on finding the girl and tells her ( girl ) about her mother .

[ the girl ]
they found out that the girl has changed her name and she is someone who is very near to kim

{ connecting the dots and these stories }

the place i.e.,, seojin dinner where the one city building was built is actually the restaurant of the girl's mother . the landowner who was murdered is the mother of the girl and the boy who told her about her mother's cause of death is the captain of the regional investigation team where kim and male lead works .
And the most shocking thing is that the psychiatric doctor i.e.., none other than the girl i.e..,, dr. lee
and kims uncle and victims of the serial killing are the people somehow connected to the dr.lee's mother death . as it tells dr.lee is the serial killer .

the dots of the victim of the serial killing connects..,,

1. first murder is the death of an journalist who covered the truth of the story behind the one city
building
2. kim's uncle : He is bribed to stay out of the murder of dr.lee's mother and the fire accident
3. the bar owner girl : For money she tried to deceive dr.lee's mother even after she is the one who helped her
4. the contractor: he is the one who is actual reason behind the fire accident and the murder of her mother
5. the builder : he went to all means even hiring contract agencies to build one city building
6. the one who actually is on site tobuild the one city building
7, 8, and 9 : the assembly man , the owner , and the culprit .

[ the last episode killer explanation ]
as the story ends in the last episode we see that another piece of puzzle appears even though dr.lee commits sucide atan amusement park by setting fire on herself.
while dr lee dies she says to kim that why they kill people so that some people can live on that place ?
at that moment we can say she was somewhat effected by her question .

so my conclusion on the that the last murder is that it is made by none other than kim . If it's true then we can expect a sequal to the story ......

Read More

A Promising Start That Loses Its Spark

The music and visuals? Pretty solid — they definitely knew how to set the mood. Acting? Not bad, not great — just okay. Everyone showed up, remembered their lines, and looked serious when needed.

Now, about the mystery… well, it started strong but slowly turned into a “guess-the-next-cliché” game. I found myself predicting twists before they even finished the dramatic zoom-ins. And let’s talk about that very original idea of a genius detective getting psychiatric sessions from the killer — wait a minute… hasn’t Hannibal already done that? Maybe the writers watched it on a weekend binge and thought, “Hey, let’s just do that.”

Still, it’s not unwatchable. If you’re out of good series and just want something to pass the time, this might do the trick. Just don’t expect to be blown away. Here’s hoping season two comes back with some fresh brains (pun intended) and plot twists that actually twist.

Read More