Disney+ Series 'Nine Puzzle' Unveils Unique Thriller with Kim Da-mi and Son Seok-gu

Actors Kim Da-mi and Son Seok-gu team up for the first time in the Disney+ original series 'Nine Puzzle'. Director Yoon Jong-bin and the cast emphasized the series' intriguing blend of mystery, thriller, and noir, making it hard to categorize into a single genre. Director Yoon mentioned leveraging his 20-year film industry connections to create dynamic episodes.

On the 14th, a production presentation for 'Nine Puzzle' was held at JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul, attended by Director Yoon Jong-bin, actors Kim Da-mi, Son Seok-gu, Kim Sung-kyun, and Hyun Bong-sik.

'Nine Puzzle' is a mystery thriller about Yoon I-na (played by Kim Da-mi), a profiler and the sole witness of an unsolved case from 10 years ago, and detective Han Saem (played by Son Seok-gu), who suspects her as a suspect. Together, they unravel the secrets of a newly emerged serial murder case.

Director Yoon described 'Nine Puzzle' as a story of two uniquely characterized individuals uncovering the truth behind a serial killer and the hidden realities. He shared his initial skepticism about the script's realism but decided to embrace a more comic-like world, balancing reality and fantasy, to enhance the series' tone.

Regarding the direction, Yoon stated, "I aimed to embed meaning in props and spaces to convey the theme." He added, "While many thrillers are heavy and reality-based, I wanted to add a touch of cuteness."

Kim Da-mi plays Yoon I-na, a profiler in the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's crime analysis team. She expressed her curiosity about the story's progression and the unique challenge of portraying a profiler.

Yoon I-na is a character with trauma from her youth, and Kim Da-mi aimed to portray her as a child-like figure, acting on emotions and showing vulnerability. She detailed the character's appearance, including ties, glasses, headphones, nail art, and slightly tousled hair.

Director Yoon cast Kim Da-mi for her healthy energy, believing she could portray Yoon I-na as a lovable and unique character.

Son Seok-gu plays detective Kim Han-saem, a fan of detective novels and films. He expressed his admiration for Director Yoon and highlighted the series' distinctiveness from typical mystery genres.

Describing his character, Son said, "Han-saem is a persistent detective who has been investigating an unsolved case for 10 years." He shared a behind-the-scenes story about wearing a beanie, inspired by his personal style, which added an interesting touch to his character.

Kim Da-mi and Son Seok-gu's characters share a unique relationship, transitioning from suspect and detective to profiler and detective over 10 years. Son described their dynamic as hard to define, with a mix of protective and adversarial feelings.

Kim Sung-kyun plays Yang Jeong-ho, the dedicated team leader of the violent crimes unit. He expressed gratitude for reuniting with Director Yoon after 13 years and highlighted the importance of glasses as a prop for his character.

Hyun Bong-sik appears as Choi San, the youngest member of the team, known for his youthful energy. He humorously shared his excitement about playing a younger role after often being cast as a leader.

Son Seok-gu and Hyun Bong-sik previously worked together on 'D.P.', and Son jokingly commented on Hyun's cute demeanor.

Director Yoon shared a humorous anecdote about bonding with the cast through messaging apps due to their different social preferences.

'Nine Puzzle' features a diverse cast, including Kim Ye-won, Kim Eung-soo, No Jae-won, Park Kyu-young, Park Sung-woong, Baek Hyun-jin, Lee Sung-min, Lee Joo-young, Lee Hee-jun, and Ji Jin-hee, each bringing unique presence and acting skills.

This project marks Director Yoon's first work without writing the script himself and his first female-led project. He expressed his desire to explore new creative avenues and his excitement for future projects.

Son Seok-gu advised viewers to avoid spoilers and enjoy the series from the first episode, while Hyun Bong-sik noted its departure from typical mystery formats.

'Nine Puzzle' premieres on Disney+ on the 21st.