Nine Puzzles

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.

You're in for a wild ride with "Nine Puzzles," the Korean thriller that delivers on every front! From the moment the credits roll, this series grabs you by the collar and doesn't let go, proving to be an utterly exciting, fun, and gripping cinematic experience.

The plot, a masterclass in intricate design, unfolds like a fiendishly clever puzzle itself. Just when you think you've pieced together the solution, "Nine Puzzles" throws another curveball, leaving you gasping and scrambling to catch up. The pacing is relentless, a high-octane sprint that keeps your adrenaline pumping from beginning to end. There's never a dull moment, as each twist and turn is more unexpected and exhilarating than the last.

What makes "Nine Puzzles" so much fun is the sheer audacity of its storytelling. It embraces the thrilling conventions of the genre with gusto, yet manages to subvert expectations at every turn. You'll find yourself cheering, gasping, and even laughing at the sheer brilliance of the narrative misdirections. The film clearly delights in playing with its audience, and that infectious energy translates directly to a truly enjoyable viewing.

But beneath the excitement and fun lies a core of pure, unadulterated tension. "Nine Puzzles" is gripping in the truest sense of the word. The characters, despite the breakneck speed of the plot, are surprisingly well-developed and relatable. You'll find yourself genuinely invested in their fates, making every close call and every revelation all the more impactful. The performances are top-notch across the board, with the lead delivering compelling portrayels.

In a genre often saturated with predictable tropes, "Nine Puzzles" stands out as a fresh, inventive, and thoroughly entertaining thriller. If you're looking for a series that will keep you on the edge of your seat, make you think, and leave you feeling utterly exhilarated, then "Nine Puzzles" is an absolute must-watch. Prepare for a thrilling ride that you won't soon forget!

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.

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.

2 cases in and both the killers are intentionally and flabbergastedly similar to our very detective protagonist, gagged me so bad how bold and provoking this series is.

This show's whole thing is that it wants us to think our protagonist is the culprit AND is not the culprit at the same time in order to distract and confuse us, and it's working, such an obnoxious narrative and I absolutely enjoy this leading.

Now, about the characters. Yes, I enjoy our protagonist very much. With the heavy environment where everyone is either serious or keeps their things low, our playful and creepy protagonist becomes the emotion driven, which is a perfect set up to move the show forward without any tiresome. Not even that, even her team and the fact that they get to be so compelling in order to contrast the average police teams helps a lot too. I can see that the writers know how to play with characters.

My only problem is that I can't figure out why should we care about that deuteragonist man personal life, is it to make our team more connected? Is it because he also involves to our big culprit? But it feels random tho. Meticulous man and annoying brat is indeed a interesting duo dynamic, but man, I hope his relevance could make sense soon.