In the upcoming series Nine Puzzles, Kim Da Mi and Son Suk Ku step into layered, emotionally charged roles that explore a chilling mystery buried for over a decade. The psychological thriller centers on fractured memories, obsession, and the haunting weight of unresolved trauma.
Kim Da Mi stars as Yoon Yi Na, a woman whose life was derailed in her teenage years after witnessing a brutal murder. Her character is trapped in a fog of forgotten details, unsure whether she was merely a bystander—or something far more sinister. According to Naver, Kim Da Mi shared that Yi Na’s emotional growth stalled the moment of the murder, leaving her mentally and emotionally frozen in time.
Opposite her, Son Suk Ku plays Detective Kim Han Saem, a man tormented by a case he couldn’t solve. His obsession with uncovering the truth stems from the fact that this was his very first case—one that slipped through his fingers. That failure has followed him ever since, fueling a relentless pursuit of closure. Son Suk Ku noted that the detective’s psyche is dominated by guilt and frustration, pushing him dangerously close to collapse.
The show benefits from the insight of real-life criminal profiler Kim Yoon Hee, who consulted on the production. She explains that Yi Na’s memory loss is a common response to trauma. As Yi Na digs into her past, the psychological scars she bears become clearer—and more alarming. Viewers are left to wonder if she’s trying to recover a lost truth, or suppress one too painful to accept.
Director Yoon Jong Bin adds depth to Han Saem’s character, portraying him as someone willing to defy orders and take risks in his unwavering pursuit of justice. His recurring question—”Did you kill him, Yoon Yi Na?”—underscores the tense, ambiguous relationship between the two leads, where suspicion, guilt, and empathy blur.
As the story unfolds, Nine Puzzles becomes more than a murder investigation. It’s a character-driven narrative about people broken by the past and consumed by the need for answers. The complex dynamic between Yi Na and Han Saem lies at the heart of the series, making for an emotionally intense and suspenseful viewing experience.
The show’s rollout begins with six episodes dropping on May 21, followed by three on May 28, and the final two episodes on June 4—promising a crescendo of drama and revelation in its closing acts.
