TV & Film Picks: Nine Puzzles, Our Unwritten Seoul, Lost In Starlight
(Clockwise from left) Park Bo-young in Our Unwritten Seoul, Kim Da-mi and Son Suk-ku in Nine Puzzles, and Lost In Starlight features the voices of Kim Tae-ri and Hong Kyung. PHOTOS: NETFLIX, DISNEY+
Nine Puzzles
Disney+
Those who love solving puzzles will enjoy this cerebral crime thriller, which has become Disney+'s most-viewed South Korean title globally in 2025 – just nine days after the show's May 21 premiere.
Kim Da-mi is Yoon E-na, a kooky crime profiler on the trail of a serial killer who leaves behind puzzle pieces at the crime scenes. Joining her in the cat-and-mouse game is Son Suk-ku's cynical detective Kim Han-saem. They may butt heads, but both are determined to catch the potential mastermind behind a decade-old cold murder case.
If bingeing on Nine Puzzles is not enough, viewers can try their hand at solving crimes inspired by the series at the Nine Puzzles: Decoded interactive escape room experience.
Find hidden clues and crack codes, and receive a personalised keepsake at the end of the nine challenges.
The Nine Puzzles: Decoded pop-up is at Plaza Singapura (B2-17/18) until June 10. Entry is free, from 3 to 9pm on weekdays and 11am to 10pm on weekends.
Our Unwritten Seoul
Netflix
With only four episodes in since its debut on May 24, Our Unwritten Seoul has already claimed the third spot on Netflix's global top 10 non-English shows chart.
In the coming-of-age K-drama, South Korean actress Park Bo-young plays identical twins Yu Mi-ji and Yu Mi-jae, who happen to be polar opposites.
Portraying two unique characters is already a challenge. Yet, the premise sees the sisters swopping identities, so Park is technically tasked to bring four distinctive personas to life.
Elder twin Mi-jae works in a government agency in Seoul. Eager to please and always striving to be the best, the submissive woman falls from grace after a workplace incident and becomes a victim of office bullying.
Meanwhile, bubbly and assertive Mi-ji lives in the countryside with their single mother and ailing grandmother. The over-achieving Mi-jae is favoured over the aimless Mi-ji, but the younger twin is the quiet pillar of strength in the family.
Our Unwritten Seoul also stars K-idol Jinyoung from boy band Got7 as the twins' neighbour and Mi-ji's love interest. The 12-episode series about finding oneself is a slow-burner, and it works purely because of Park's versatile performance.
Lost In Starlight
98 minutes, Netflix
Lost In Starlight features the voices of Kim Tae-ri and Hong Kyung.
PHOTO: NETFLIX
Set in a futuristic Seoul, Lost In Starlight follows astro-scientist Nan-young and musician Jay's budding romance.
Their relationship is put to the test when Nan-young gets accepted into a space programme that will take her to Mars. Can the star-crossed lovers make it through space and time, and achieve their dreams?
These are some questions raised by South Korean film-maker Han Ji-won in this animated film.
Oscar-winning South Korean director Bong Joon-ho praised Lost In Starlight as 'a visual masterpiece that takes you around the universe' in a statement accompanying the film's global release on May 30.
Lost In Starlight is Netflix's first South Korean animation, and features the voices of award-winning actress Kim Tae-ri as Nan-young and actor Hong Kyung as Jay. Incidentally, both Kim and Hong first starred together in the acclaimed K-horror series Revenant (2023).
Joanne Soh is a lifestyle correspondent at The Straits Times, with a special interest in entertainment and pop culture.
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