Nine Puzzles

A very entertaining story told over 11 episodes, one that keeps you guessing as its intricacies are slowly unraveled. Kim Da-mi's characterization of the police profiler who was traumatized in her childhood is a real highlight, and I loved her mannerisms which varied between childlike and insightful. It's fiction but I also liked how it referenced the extensive growth of Seoul in the 1980's, one that resulted in many improvements but which sometimes was a little ruthless, coming at the expense of existing communities. That gives an already great story extra weight, and that more than one set of demons are being exorcised.

I loved the cute main character. She's a cute version of Sherlock Holmes. It shows good investigation on basic profiling level but not much detective investigation which I love. I love hardcore conventional detective investigation, but these new dramas reeks of too much Melodrama that ruins reality or practicality in the plots. This theme reminded me of Penthouse, though this wasn't too long like that. I hope they focus more on the traditional straightforward serial killers & detective work instead of such Melodrama.

I am not looking forward for the next season because that will make it worse like it happened in the Voice like thriller dramas. Unless they focus on more practical and reality based crimes.

A slow paced murder mystery thriller, Nine Puzzles is a smart concept with a very good execution, even though the pacing might be inconsistent for many.

The drama balances multiple layers of mystery, from cryptic puzzle pieces and reflection clues to complex interpersonal relationships that intertwines with the serial murders. The setting is tense, with every character under radar and suspicion falling all over everyone.

What begins as a whodunnit quickly evolves into something more thematic. The show explores the consequences of institutional failure and what happens when someone decides to punish those systems in the most literal way. But what keeps the show human is how it focuses on the fallout: guilt, loyalty, memory, and how trauma shapes who we become.

The cast, whether it be leads or the supporting, every character was portrayed as they should be. The fascinating aspect of the drama is it plays with the memory, like you will connect the dots towards the final episodes from your recollection of the initial episodes. Overall, the emotional layers to this murder mystery is well written, although the pacing was too sluggish and draggy. But nonetheless, it will keep you hooked until you know the perpetrator behind all of these.

My Rating : 3.5/5.

Watching first episode I instantly engaged. The portrayal of characters is great, how Yoon Ena seem childish yet smart, Curry man is soft hearted yet trying so hard to be nonchalant.

Now that it's end I can say that it's not that surprising but still make sense in all way. They even make me feel bad for the killer, I also wish they could live their life for themselves for once but no. I understand the killer, and I tolerate it. They did a good job on that, but tbh the fire scene could be more realistic, and they also could make it sadder I believe. The story itself is sad, so why don't make the most out of it?

Considering all the TV Korean shows and movies I've watched giving a review will be kind of odd considering this is not a super amazing show, but it's still pretty good with A-list actors coming throughout the episodes and the show does get better. But the one thing that sticks out because the co protagonist has her nails painted the timeline doesn't match up... they must've shot certain scenes on certain weeks with different fingernail color and it's stuck out to me considering the show for the most part is shot chronologically in order.... If this was Christopher Nolan, maybe you would've not been noticed... overall decent show.