All the Pieces Are There, But the Picture Doesn’t Fit
Nine Puzzles is a thriller drama written by the same mind behind Tunnel, which naturally set my expectations high—especially since I’m a huge fan of the genre. With leads like Kim Da Mi and Son Suk Ku, and an ensemble cast full of familiar K-drama faces, it truly felt like the Avengers had assembled.
🔍 The Premise
The story revolves around a murder from ten years ago, and when similar killings start happening again, an investigation begins that slowly unravels the hidden truths.
✅ The Good
Visually, the show is stunning. The color grading—from the warm, chaotic yellows of the police station to the chilling blue murder scenes—adds a rich atmosphere. The profiling and crime setup sequences were thoughtfully done and kept me engaged. The music was the highlight of the drama, completely pulls you in, even after finishing it was still ringing in my head. Especially the opening scene OST, please don't skip it, it instantly sets the mood for you.
Acting-wise, no complaints. The veterans brought their A-game. Son Suk Ku continues his streak of never missing, while Kim Da Mi slipped comfortably into a role that’s well within her range.
❌ The Bad
The biggest letdown? You can guess the killer by episode 5. Worse, the protagonists hardly do anything impactful. They're never ahead, never prevent a crime, and only begin to piece things together after everything’s already been revealed. Despite the strong cast, it’s En Na who does most of the real detective work, while others just catch up.
The drama had all the right ingredients—a compelling setup, stellar cast, and top-notch production—but the plot lost its edge in the second half, missing the chance to be truly great.
🎯 Final Thoughts
Nine Puzzles is a technically polished drama with an excellent cast, but sadly, the writing doesn't quite match the ambition. If you enjoy mood-heavy thrillers and don’t mind predictable twists, it’s still a decent watch. But if you're hoping for a tight, edge-of-your-seat mystery, this one might leave you wanting more.
🔍 The Premise
The story revolves around a murder from ten years ago, and when similar killings start happening again, an investigation begins that slowly unravels the hidden truths.
✅ The Good
Visually, the show is stunning. The color grading—from the warm, chaotic yellows of the police station to the chilling blue murder scenes—adds a rich atmosphere. The profiling and crime setup sequences were thoughtfully done and kept me engaged. The music was the highlight of the drama, completely pulls you in, even after finishing it was still ringing in my head. Especially the opening scene OST, please don't skip it, it instantly sets the mood for you.
Acting-wise, no complaints. The veterans brought their A-game. Son Suk Ku continues his streak of never missing, while Kim Da Mi slipped comfortably into a role that’s well within her range.
❌ The Bad
The biggest letdown? You can guess the killer by episode 5. Worse, the protagonists hardly do anything impactful. They're never ahead, never prevent a crime, and only begin to piece things together after everything’s already been revealed. Despite the strong cast, it’s En Na who does most of the real detective work, while others just catch up.
The drama had all the right ingredients—a compelling setup, stellar cast, and top-notch production—but the plot lost its edge in the second half, missing the chance to be truly great.
🎯 Final Thoughts
Nine Puzzles is a technically polished drama with an excellent cast, but sadly, the writing doesn't quite match the ambition. If you enjoy mood-heavy thrillers and don’t mind predictable twists, it’s still a decent watch. But if you're hoping for a tight, edge-of-your-seat mystery, this one might leave you wanting more.
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