Nine Puzzles

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.

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.

I just finished episode 5 so this is not a complete review. That being said, I really like the Ena's character. I believe her nonchalant demeanor and quirky personality are a facade to protect herself. I think she is actually really scared of the person who killed her uncle, I also think that it's an attempt to be seen as non-threatening. It reminds me of Colombo (he always came off goofy in order to make the culprit think they are smarter than him). I believe you can kind of see her true personality at the end of episode 5 when she finally thinks that Hansaem trusts her. I also really like Hansaem, he is a good detective and he respects Ena and her professional opinion. They make a great team. I'm excited to finish the series and find out who the antagonist is. I'm sure it's going to be an interesting twist.

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.

Nine Puzzles had a solid concept and a decent storyline, but it was painfully slow, uneventful, and dragged way too much. The only reason I stuck around was to confirm the killer who was already obvious and uncover the backstory.

Each episode felt like a chore, leaving me with a tight, uneasy feeling, but I powered through (and no, it's not about my taste I've watched Doubt and other thrillers). The FL didn't click, and as for the ML, my first drama of his, and I'm still not sold.

For a psychological investigative thriller, it lacked any real thrill. A drama stuffed with A-list actors doesn't automatically make it good. And can they stop making the killer the most obvious choice by giving them barely any screen time or storyline?

The one scene that stood out? The ending her choice with the fire was bold! The leads? Completely forgettable. If there's a S2, they need a major revamp or just scrap it altogether.

A 7/10 for me, but definitely a one time watch.