Kim Da Mi opened up about the ending of drama Nine Puzzles and the possibility of a second season.
Nine Puzzles is a mystery thriller about profiler Yoon Ina (played by Kim Da Mi), the sole witness of an unsolved case from 10 years ago, and detective Han Saem (Son Suk Ku), who continues to suspect her as the prime suspect.
When asked if people asked her a lot about the culprit, Kim said, “People asked me all the time. Even about small details—like whether there was a reason Ina’s nail color changed. They’d ask about specific lines, wondering if they had hidden meanings.”
She added, “Someone even asked if the person hanging laundry in the background was the killer. People pointed to all kinds of characters as suspects. I was surprised—like, ‘Wow, people are really thinking deeply about this.’”
Regarding the nail polish, Kim explained, “I just changed the color to match the outfits. There was no hidden meaning at all. I picked colors that suited the clothes, but people started reading into it. I was surprised they saw it that way.”
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Ina is portrayed in a suspicious light at the beginning of the series. Kim explained, “We wanted her to seem mysterious. Since Ina lost her memory, I didn’t want her to appear too shocked or emotional. I wanted to show someone who didn’t even know how to react. The director and I talked a lot about the small details—like where she should look, how she should walk, and how much she should seem like she might be the killer.”
Some viewers said Ina’s way of speaking sounded “too childlike.” Kim responded, “I expected that kind of feedback. I was worried about it at first, too. A character with a high-pitched voice leading a serious drama can feel a bit off. It might make her seem disconnected. But I also thought that made her stand out. It was a bit of a risk, but it could be something that made the show unique.”
Kim noted that Ina’s voice does share some similarities with her own, saying, “There’s definitely a part of me in it, but I spoke in a higher tone than I normally do.”
When asked how she felt after finding out who the real killer was, Kim said, “Even I didn’t guess it right. At first, I thought it might be Team Leader Yang Jung Ho (Kim Sung Kyun). I just had a feeling. But when the real killer was revealed, I was completely stunned because I had ruled that person out entirely. I remember watching the scene and thinking, ‘Wait… seriously?’”
Some viewers felt the ending was a bit flat, but Kim explained, “Ina might seem cold or too calm, even when people die, and that can feel unrealistic. But for me, the ending showed her emotional growth, especially when she faced the culprit. That’s why I was happy with how it ended.”
As for the final scene, in which another puzzle piece appears, many fans interpreted it as a hint at a second season. Kim clarified, “There haven’t been any talks about a Season 2.” She added, “That scene could mean there’s a copycat, or that someone else was involved the whole time. I’m not sure either. I just saw it as an open ending, suggesting something similar might be happening again in that world.”
When asked if she would return for a second season, Kim replied, “I’d have to think about it.” She continued, “If there is a Season 2, it should be different from Season 1, but still keep the parts fans loved. That’s something I’d need to really consider.”
