Explore our spoiler-free review of the hit Korean crime thriller ‘Nine Puzzles’.  Get general series information, plot summary, and my personal thoughts and rating, all 100% spoiler-free!  If you have already seen this drama and are interested in a more full review, including character analysis, highlights, and ending explanation,  please click on the link below.

     Air Dates: May 21 – June 4, 2025

Episodes: 11

Where to Watch: Hulu

Genre: Crime Thriller

Starring: Kim Da Mi and Son Suk Ku

10 years ago, a high school student is the only witness and prime suspect in the brutal murder of her beloved uncle. And although she has no memory of anything from that night, the rookie detective working the case is sure she did it. But he never finds enough evidence to prove it.

Now, the woman has become a skilled criminal profiler. When she is called in for a recent murder, she finds herself working side by side with the same detective. And her presence makes even more of a stir when she identifies the new case as a serial killing, connecting it to her uncle’s death.  But if they are going to work together to find this murderer, she will have to convince the detective that she is innocent and can be trusted.

“How do I figure out who the culprit is with just puzzle pieces?”

– Yun I Na

‘Nine Puzzles’ is a gritty crime drama with a dark noir vibe that feels a bit like a modern day Sherlock Holmes. Kim Da Mi is amazing as the quirky criminal profiler. I loved the general mood and the complex characters.  They throw in enough red herrings and plot twists to keep the story interesting and the audience engaged.

But this is a crime thriller, so you can expect some dark tones and violence. Also the drama ends without explaining some of the important details to the case, which was frustrating for many fans. Also for a short 11 episode drama, there are a lot of flashbacks to the original murder without revealing any new information. But I thought the cast created some fun characters and I enjoyed the intricacies of the plot. I give ‘Nine Puzzles’ a 9 out of 10 ramen.

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Below are links to other great dramas Kim Da Mi has starred in.

Below are links to other great dramas Son Suk Ku has appeared in.

If this review has made you curious about where your other favorites stand, here is break down of the other reviews by rating.  Links to both spoiler-free and full reviews are available on each page. Feel free to explore all the wonderful dramas I have watched.