Once you start, it’s impossible to stop. The breathlessly paced, tightly woven plot and compelling characters draw you in so completely that you’ll find yourself thinking, “Wait, the episode’s already over?” Disney Plus’ Nine Puzzles delivers the same satisfaction as reading a meticulously crafted mystery novel or manga.
High school student Yoon Yi Na (Kim Da Mi) witnesses the horrific scene of her uncle’s murder at home. Rookie detective Kim Han Saem (Son Suk Ku), assigned to the case, considers Yi Na a prime suspect when she claims to remember nothing except “discovering a mysterious puzzle piece,” but without decisive evidence, the case goes cold. Ten years pass, and Yi Na has become a genius profiler with a stellar reputation within the police force, while Han Saem still can’t shake his suspicions about her.
One day, Yi Na receives a second puzzle piece from an unknown sender and is shocked to discover it connects with the piece she’s been keeping all these years. Before she can process this revelation, she becomes the sole witness to another murder on the same day. Instinctively realizing that her uncle’s killer is back after a decade, she turns to Han Saem for help.
It’s a non-stop roller coaster of tension and twists. As Yi Na and Han Saem connect seemingly unrelated cases, viewers are treated to the intellectual thrill only a truly smart mystery can deliver. The plot thickens as suspicions grow that the victims, including Yi Na’s uncle, may have been hiding dark secrets of their own. Combined with imaginative comic book-inspired elements, striking visuals, and distinctive characters, Nine Puzzles creates its own unique appeal.
The most standout elements are the performances by the lead actors Kim Da Mi and Son Suk Ku. Kim Da Mi’s Yoon Yi Na is a fascinating character that combines the “genius detective” archetype of the famous British whodunit sleuth and Japanese manga characters with an endearing clumsiness. Behind this quirky exterior, she reveals anxiety, guilt, and self-doubt, appearing still haunted by the past event, making her an even more mysterious figure.
Son Suk Ku, who has previously delivered a memorable detective role, once again commands attention as Kim Han Saem. From his intense stare and ominous tattoos to his obsessive drive to uncover the truth and unrelenting suspicion toward Yi Na, he’s every bit the brooding investigator. Watching these two mismatched leads gradually grow closer becomes another highlight of the series, with both actors’ performances playing a crucial role in making their chemistry believable. A handful of cameos also add punch, with their short but unforgettable scene-stealing turns.
That said, the show’s vibrant color palette and deliberately exaggerated character setups are both a defining charm and a potential barrier to entry. Elements like the somewhat retro-feeling police cars and uniforms, and the orange-tinted police station interiors, might create a sense of disconnect from reality in a genre where “realism” often carries weight. Additionally, Yi Na’s fashion choices and childlike speech patterns can feel jarringly out of sync with the tone of the other characters, which may be a turn-off for some viewers.
Still, by the midpoint of its 6-episode run, Nine Puzzles earns a solid thumbs-up. The series succeeds in immediately thrusting viewers into the heart of the mystery and creating an immersive experience that makes it impossible to escape the web-like intricacies of the plot. The gamble to focus on the essential joy of “detection” rather than simply listing shocking crimes has paid off brilliantly. What single truth will lie hidden when all nine pieces come together? And who is behind it all? The anticipation of discovering these answers alongside Yi Na and Han Saem already has us counting down the days. (8/10)
Edited by Young Jun Yang
Translated by Kim Hoyeun
Editor Yang Young Jun: There is at least one good part in every movie or TV series. A media geek who isn’t picky with genres.
