Disney+ Series 'Nine Puzzles' Unveils All Episodes: Actor Son Suk-ku Talks Thrills and Challenges

"The real game begins now."

The Disney+ series 'Nine Puzzles' has released all its episodes, and lead actor Son Suk-ku shared his excitement. Unlike the typical weekly release format of Disney+, the complete availability of all episodes allows viewers to binge-watch the thrilling mystery series. Son confidently stated, "It's a well-made drama. A cinematic experience in the form of a mystery." He added, "The charm of the 11-episode 'Nine Puzzles' lies in its mystery. Only one person among my acquaintances guessed the culprit by episode 9, and that friend lives in the U.S. I promised a gift to anyone who could guess it, and he did," he laughed.

'Nine Puzzles' follows the story of Yoon Ina (played by Kim Da-mi), the only witness to an unsolved case from 10 years ago and a current profiler, and Detective Kim Han-sam (played by Son Suk-ku), who suspects her as a suspect. Together, they unravel the secrets of a renewed serial murder case. Son Suk-ku takes on the role of Detective Kim Han-sam from the Han River's Major Crimes Unit, marking his first foray into the mystery genre.

"I've mostly worked on projects with emotional connections, and I believe I'm good at them. While there is emotional exchange here, it's not the main focus. The logical process of solving the case and conveying information is crucial. If we lose the viewer's attention even for a moment, we might lose them for the next episode. It's a tense process. Delivering precise information means I couldn't act freely. I often wondered, 'Am I doing this right?'"

In the series, Kim Han-sam is a fan of detective novels and films. He became a detective because he enjoys finding clues and catching criminals. He's a meticulous perfectionist, somewhat conservative, with tattoos and a signature beanie and coat look. Among colleagues, he's known as an unpredictable 'wild card.'

"The initial impression of Han-sam from the script was that he was a monotone character with limited emotional range. In the drama, he's more of a lively character, honest with his emotions. While Ina might seem like a comic character, I think Han-sam is too. His outfits are part of that comic touch. He's quite unique."

Son Suk-ku praised his co-star Kim Da-mi for her dedication. Kim Da-mi plays a profiler dealing with rumors of being a 'cop killer' and undergoing psychological counseling due to trauma from 10 years ago. Son noted, "Da-mi and I don't like anything unnatural. We're straightforward and simple," highlighting their similarities.

"Da-mi is passionate and full of ideas. She had a clear vision of her character from the start. I wasn't sure how to approach mine, but Da-mi provided detailed ideas, even for minor things. By episodes 9 to 11, I could act on 'auto-pilot' thanks to her."

Despite not having much experience in the mystery genre, Son Suk-ku decided to take on 'Nine Puzzles' largely because of director Yoon Jong-bin. "I'm a huge fan of Director Yoon. It was an honor just to be asked to meet him. When I expressed my lack of confidence in mysteries, he told me to trust him. I took on the challenge because of him," Son said. He added, "The director didn't know me well, but his sister-in-law recommended me. Such instincts are usually spot on," he laughed.

"The director doesn't let any shot pass without scrutiny. That's why I respect him. I approached this project as a student eager to learn, not just about acting but about the overall process of creating a work. The director is my mentor and life guide. I often ask him about things beyond acting, and he always provides clear answers."

Son Suk-ku also runs his own agency and production company. When asked if he and Director Yoon have discussed collaboration, Son laughed, "The director is so good at what he does, I doubt he'd want to work with me." He added, "For a joint project, I'd need to have something the director lacks, but he seems to have it all." He expressed his respect for Director Yoon and hinted at future plans, "Our company's first feature film will be released this year."

"Earlier this year, I worked on a project with an American production company. I also acted in it. We put a lot of effort into it. We didn't go to Hollywood but to New Jersey. It's an indie film. I didn't want people to think of it as a big-budget Hollywood studio film. We're involved from planning and investment, learning as we go. I have another project in mind for the future."

Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr