Nine Puzzles (2025) 나인 퍼즐
Directed by Yoon Jong-bin, starring Son Suk-ku, Kim Da-mi, Kim Sung-kyun and Park Gyu-young.
Watched 12 - 21 June 2025 — 11 episodes (DISNEY+)
*Finished this crime drama a week ago and liked it.
*It's an enjoyable series, with quirky music and a quirky female lead, Kim Da-mi as Yoon E-na, a criminal profiler working for the Seoul Metropolitan Police. I didn't know what to think of her at first (also because I'd only seen Kim Da-mi once before, in Itaewon Class, and I didn't particularly like her there) — she was a bit annoying initially, a bit goofy too — but as the series progressed, she grew on me and I liked her best when she was all serious and focused on the murder case on hand. By the way, her wardrobe is also quirky.
*I love the actor Son Suk-ku, playing the male lead character (Kim Han-saem, part of the police force). Ever since I saw Son Suk-ku in My Liberation Notes, I've been a fan of him. I love his looks (here minus the big tattoo) and his acting. I love his character Han-saem and his love for detective novels and movies.
*Of course there's no romance between the main couple. They don't have that kind of chemistry and actually make a weird romantic couple. But there's a nice connection between them, and even though there's no hint at romance, it's still funny how E-na and Han-saem's mum (during E-na's visit to Han-saem's mum's apartment) are discussing — in Han-saem's presence — the fact that he never brought home a girlfriend.
*I liked the mystery with the puzzle pieces, even though the revelation of the culprit was somewhat predictable.
*(SPOILER!) I liked Park Gyu-young as Lee Seung-joo (a psychiatrist doctor therapist at the mental health clinic) and Kim Sung-kyun as Yang Jung-ho (Captain of Violent Crimes Unit 2 at Hangang Police Station) so it was a shame they didn't belong to the group of good people. I felt sorry for Lee Seung-joo. The way she decided to end her life was gruesome.
*For me the main draw of this drama is Son Suk-ku. I really have to catch up with his drama work and I would love to see him as a romantic lead in a rom-com series.