Ten years ago, Yoon Ena came home to find her uncle gruesomely murdered. A small puzzle piece was the only clue left at the scene. With no memory of how she got there, she immediately became Detective Hansaem’s prime suspect.

Nine Puzzles stars Kim Dami as present-day Yoon Ena, a criminal profiler. Son Sukku portrays Senior Detective Hansaem from the Hangang Police Station. The unlikely duo uncover the truth in this gripping mystery thriller. This project marks a rare opportunity for Director Yoon Jongbin to work with a female-led character like Ena, alongside a captivating crime narrative.

The police squad wouldn’t be complete without the support of veteran actors like Kim Sungkyun as Police Captain Yang Jungho and Hyun Bongsik as Junior Detective Choi San. As Hansaem and Ena continue to unravel clues, she receives another puzzle piece, drawing them deeper into a string of ongoing murders.

“I hope the suspense and the need to find out what happens next that I felt resonates with all of you,” says Kim Dami. The multi-layered storyline stretches across various characters in a comic-like universe that Director Yoon intentionally crafted. Viewers can also expect special appearances by various actors, as he emphasizes the importance of “…actors who can make a strong impression on viewers, even with limited screen time.”

The Disney+ drama marks Director Yoon’s first foray into detective-style drama. He aimed to reinvent the genre by shifting the focus to striking visuals – using props, dark themes, and stylized, less realistic settings reminiscent of comic-inspired works. A key example is the Hangang Police Station, the series’ most frequently featured location, where old and new design elements are thoughtfully blended.

It’s a feast for the eyes and ears, especially for fans of detective stories. Each character is carefully crafted, from their appearance to their hobbies and behaviour. Detective Hansaem for instance, is a devoted fan of murder mysteries and often references literature like Crooked House by Agatha Christie. The author’s book series can even be spotted among the many items he collects in his apartment. His career comes to a halt while he is obsessed with an unsolved case involving Yoon Ena’s uncle.

The characters are portrayed as quirky and eccentric, which was the most enjoyable aspect for me. I felt completely engrossed from beginning to end. As a viewer, it almost feels like we become the profilers ourselves, gradually uncovering the characters’ backgrounds and hidden motives.

Six episodes of Nine Puzzles are now available. There will be a total of 11 episodes; 5 more to be released in the upcoming weeks. Catch them now on Disney+!