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The Review Geek
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
Nine Puzzles – K-drama Episode 11 Recap, Review & Ending Explained
Episode 11 Episode 11 of Nine Puzzles begins with a flashback of teen Lee Seung-joo visiting Dream Land. 10 years later, Yang visits her and gives her Nam-suk's photo and handkerchief. He wasn't able to find Dr Lee earlier as she had changed her name. She has questions and Yang tells her everything. At present, Dr Lee introduces herself as the puzzle killer and takes I-na to the next crime scene. Han-saem worries as he is unable to contact I-na. The cops comb the CCTVs and find the women heading to The One City. When they arrive, Dr Lee throws Assemblyman Kim from the rooftop. His corpse misses Han-saem by an inch. Han-saem is upset that I-na put herself in danger by leaving with Lee. Why does the Puzzle Killer aka Dr Lee make a spectacle of the murders? I-na is upset that Dr Lee was toying with her. However, Lee explains that she genuinely wanted to help I-na uncover the puzzle. Lee stopped killing because no one was interested in her story. She resumed after learning I-na was obsessed with uncovering the truth. There is a flashback after Yoon-su's death. Captain Yang gives Dr Lee back Nam-suk's handkerchief that she dropped at the crime scene. He wants her to stop but she believes it is too late for her. He realises that she wants the world to know the injustice done to her family and suggests the press conference. However, she refuses as she also wants vengeance. At present, I-na tries to convince Dr Lee that murder is not the way to go. The therapist disagrees as she reveals that none of the victim-culprits apologised. They had forgotten Nam-suk's death which angered her. We also learn that Dong-hoon got 3 apartments to bury the case. He sold them to buy his house. Why does Dr Lee kill herself? After Lee kills Assemblyman Kim, she gives I-na the final puzzle piece and escapes. The piece is blacked out and is the centre of the whole puzzle. Dr Lee is spotted at the funeral home, hinting she regrets Yang's death. Han-saem rushes there while I-na visits the theme park to stop the final murder. I-na hits the jackpot as she finds Dr Lee in the merry-go-round. Lee has doused the ride in oil. Turns out she is the final piece and is going to kill herself. I-na thinks she is a coward but that isn't the case. Lee reveals that she had forgotten the restaurant's location and would often visit the merry-go-round in hopes of finding her mother. She feels guilty that her mother died while waiting for her at the restaurant. She has no more reason left to live. Han-saem shows up as well and the duo tries to stop Lee. Lee simply comments that she hates people struggling to live a life not worth living. She doesn't understand why they kill one person to make space for another person to live. She burns to death while I-na and Han-saem look in shock. How does it end for I-na and Han-saem? At the precinct, I-na refuses to give a statement, citing memory loss. Han-saem too doesn't push her. She hides in her house and he brings her coffee every day. He also attends Yang's funeral and apologises for not saving Dr Lee. A week later, she tries to resign but Superior Yoon convinces her to take a hiatus. I-na runs into Han-saem who tries to tempt her with a new case. She is amused but has dinner with him and his mom. She learns that they got The One City apartment in a lottery. She also does a TV interview on the puzzle case and is back to her playful self. She reveals that she became a criminal analyst to profile herself. She suspected herself of being Dong-hoon's murderer and wanted to uncover the truth. The interviewer asks if she has moved on and she is lost in thought. A while later, Han-saem has a new case. After being drained of blood, Jeon Mi-so is dolled up and put on display. I-na returns as a profiler and analyses the killer. At the end of Nine Puzzles Episode 11, she shows Han-saem another puzzle and he is in disbelief. The Episode Review Nine Puzzles Episode 11 ends the perfectly fine murder mystery on a perfectly fine note. And as usual, the writers get greedy and mess it up by focusing on how quirky and cool and different I-na is. I-na once again plays the memory loss card but this time, it doesn't make sense as the one thing Dr Lee wanted was the world to know the injustice suffered by her and her mother. So, why does I-na stay mum when asked for her witness statement? And after mourning and accepting the situation for a week, she is back to her quirky and goofy self in the interview. Her character development is all over the place, making one wonder what the writer's goal was by creating someone like I-na. It is quite strange that the same show does a great job with Han-saem and Dr Lee. Han-saem finally grows up, allowing himself to think emotionally instead of solely relying on logic to close a case. And fortunately, the majority of the finale focuses on Dr Lee and the puzzle case, which let's be honest, are the highlights of the show. Viewers will not only be able to sympathise with Lee, but also understand her. She is disillusioned by the world and doesn't think it is one worth living in. The final heartache is the fact that she blames herself for her mother's demise, as Nam-suk refused to leave the restaurant. The plot twist is so melancholic that one won't mind glossing over the plothole of why Nam-suk didn't go back to the park or why she left without Lee in the first place. Maybe Lee was already gone? The emotional payoff isn't marred, wrapping up the case in a realistic but bittersweet manner. Previous Episode Expect A Full Season Write-Up When This Season Concludes!
The Review Geek
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
Nine Puzzles – K-drama Episode 8 Recap & Review
Episode 8 Episode 8 of Nine Puzzles begins with Cheol-jin heading out on his yacht in Jeju. It cuts to him dozing in the middle of the sea. Someone shows up and he freaks out. At present, the Hangang cops are told about I-na's arrest. She refuses to say anything and is her nonchalant and playful self which frustrates Han-saem. Even Captain Yang and Chief Hyun show up and try to help her but she finds it odd that Yang is vouching for her innocence. Surprisingly, Dr. Hwang and Dr. Lee are in Jeju for the former's seminar on darkness and retaliation. Han-saem reaches out to them and they show up as well in hopes that I-na will talk to them. I-na simply gives the latest puzzle piece to Lee to hand to Han-saem. The piece shows a man in a burger-eating competition. Han-saem asks Yang again why he didn't mention the puzzle at Reporter Lee's crime scene. Yang claims he didn't trust Han-saem since he is close to I-na. And Yang still insists that she is hiding something. At his wits' end, Han-saem begs I-na to help him understand her motives but she continues to goof around. However, she gives him a lead for her alibi – the taxi service. The murder took place between 5 pm and 8 pm and I-na left the yacht at 5 pm. While at a red light, the puzzle piece was delivered. Once I-na is cleared, she tells Han-saem her plan. The killer has been leading her and for once, she decided to call the shots. She framed herself for Cheol-jin's murder as she knows the killer wants her free and alive for his game. That means whoever tried to help her is the killer or the accomplice. The suspects include Chief Hyun, Captain Yang, Dr. Lee and Dr. Hwang. Han-saem comments that he also brought Choi San to Jeju with him. Back in Seoul, I-na questions Dr. Lee about her presence in Jeju. Lee realises she is a suspect and plays along. I-na finds it odd that Lee stuck with a difficult case like hers for 10 years. Lee simply claims that she wanted to one-up I-na's previous therapist, Dr. Hwang who failed to help. Before I-na leaves, she snoops around Dr. Hwang's room. Meanwhile, Han-saem starts looking into the suspects, the first one being Captain Yang. He speaks to Yang's former partner at Mapo precinct. Apparently, Yang was mysterious and unfriendly. The one time they had drinks, Yang ran out, claiming his sibling was in trouble. But he doesn't have a sibling as he comes from an orphanage. It was the night Dong-hoon died and when Yang returned, he was wet from the rain. Matters worsen as the bar they were at is Jinhui Bar, the one at the crossroads to Dong-hoon's house. Han-saem realises Yang could have taken the shortcut and reached Dong-hoon's before I-na. Officially, Chief Hyun puts up a task force for the puzzle killer case and has Dong-su lead it. I-na briefs them about the six puzzle pieces, how the murders are connected and that three more murders are left to complete the puzzle. After work, Han-saem and I-na drink while discussing Yang and how he may be the puzzle killer. Han-saem cites LA Confidential, his favourite movie and banters with her as she has not seen it. And she tells him of her meeting with Cheol-jin. A flashback shows I-na telling Cheol-jin about the puzzle killer. Since he oversaw The One City construction, he is sure he is the next victim. He mentions the Yoons and she is surprised that he was close to her parents. He also comments how she was supposed to be close to his son, Yeong-hun. Before the next debrief, Han-saem tells Dong-su that he suspects Yang. During the meeting, the cops learn that Cheol-jin was choked to death. Yang notices that Han-saem is missing and Dong-su is vague. Yang knows that Han-saem is looking into him courtesy of his Mapo contact. He is not deterred that Han-saem suspects him and declares he will find the killer. He then meets I-na and asks what she saw from the rooftop when Reporter Lee was killed. She lies and he decides to wait till she comes clean. It doesn't look good for him as flight records show him in Jeju a month ago and then on the day Cheol-jin died. Desperate, Han-saem has I-na's superior attempt hypnosis on Choi San. And as predicted, he recalls Yang pocketing the missing handkerchief from Yoon-su's crime scene. At the end of Nine Puzzles Episode 8, Han-saem storms up to Yang who pulls out the handkerchief. The Episode Review Nine Puzzles Episode 8 proves that the show does its best work when focusing on the mystery rather than its characters' unique traits. I-na once again acts all quirky and different which frustrates the other characters till she comes clean that it is all an act. But it doesn't make sense for her to behave in such a manner even when she is alone with Han-saem who, by the way, she trusts wholly. It adds to the argument that her neurodivergence is a plot device and aesthetic for that eccentric and quirky tone the director is going for. It ruins an otherwise completely solid murder mystery with its dark and sombre atmosphere, the emotional music and the actors' performances. Despite not investing much in the dynamic between Yang and Han-saem, Son Suk-u gives viewers a believable and heartwrenching portrayal of Han-saem who is heartbroken by Yang's betrayal. It is just a shame that the show doesn't trust its story and its cast to give us a thrilling experience and keeps pushing for the quirky angle. Previous Episode Next Episode Expect A Full Season Write-Up When This Season Concludes!
The Review Geek
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
Nine Puzzles – K-drama Episode 1 Recap & Review
Episode 1 Episode 1 of Nine Puzzles begins with high schooler Yoon I-na visiting home. Her parents are dead and she only has an uncle. It is heavily raining and the lights are out. She arrives to find the door to the backyard open. There is a puzzle piece followed by a pool of blood. She is surprised to find her uncle's dead body. He has been stabbed in the neck with an awl, a sharpening tool. The puzzle piece is a wolf in a rabbit's costume. The cop on the case is Kim Han-saem, a rookie. He observes that I-na doesn't look emotional. Preliminary investigation reveals that the uncle, Yoon Dong-hoon, the former superintendent, died an hour ago, at 9 pm. Han-saem finds another awl in I-na's art studio. The current chief, Dong-su, is Dong-hoon's colleague and is sympathetic as he questions I-na. She confesses that she doesn't remember anything once she entered the house. She left school at 8 pm and took the bus. She took the long route from the bus stop and reached home around 9. Next, she remembers the housekeeper calling her name and she notices her dead uncle. Han-saem thinks I-na is the killer. She bought three awls 6 months ago, and one of them is the murder weapon with her fingerprint. There is a 13-minute gap between arriving home and calling the cops. There is no break-in or struggle which means Dong-hoon knew his attacker. She could have taken a shortcut from the bus stop, giving her an extra 8 minutes to enact the murder. Han-saem questions her next. It is known that she and Dong-hoon were arguing about her dorm. She agrees to it but calmly denies arguing over inheritance. She finally looks slightly frustrated as he mocks her memory loss. She goes home and lies where the corpse was found. She imagines killing Dong-hoon and smiling with blood splatter on her face. The next day, she shows the puzzle piece to Han-saem and wonders if he will catch the killer. There is a 10-year time jump. It is clear that I-na doesn't follow the usual social cues. She enjoys bungee jumping as it brings her close to death. She is playful with her therapist. She has dreams of her uncle's murder and is troubled that she doesn't remember. She blurts out observations when she wants to deflect. She acts tough but she doesn't like going home. As she leaves, another doctor invites her to an exhibition. As for Han-saem, he has turned into a maverick. He has tattoos and dresses like he is homeless. He is reckless and doesn't follow the usual rules. It is the 10th anniversary of Dong-hoon's murder and he is still on it. He tracks down I-na's former dormmate, Mrs. Yeom who has been abroad for a while and threatens her husband, a former criminal. She reveals that one night, I-na had called her an alibi. There was also an awl in their dorm. At present, I-na hangs around Han-saem's precinct and teases him for looking homeless. Meanwhile, the precinct chief and Dong-su, who has been promoted to commander, visit Dong-hoon's grave. The chief was loyal to Dong-hoon and came back for sympathise with I-na and find it absurd that Han-saem still suspects her. Surprisingly, Dong-su comments that Han-saem may be a loose cannon, but he has heart. I-na is a cop as well, a criminal profiler to be exact. She is confident around her colleagues but also a little forgetful. Her superior often comments on her oddness but there is no malice. I-na's parents owned a hospital and she is rich due the inheritance. Her latest case is the murder of a 10-year-old. His brother, the wallflower, suddenly feigns memory loss and I-na takes a crack at him. She plays a game of recounting their steps and he slips up and confesses to the murder. Back at the precinct, Choi San, a rookie, is curious about the Yoon case. After work, the team chief, Yang Jeong-ho, Dong-su and Han-saem drink together. Dong-su and Yang call out Han-saem for letting I-na mess with him. He reveals that he is trying to establish rapport so she lets something slip. Yang thinks she is doing it to ensure Han-saem continues to work on Dong-hoon's case. Later, Han-saem retraces I-na's steps on the night of the murder. He doesn't understand why she took the longer route. And there is no CCTV to corroborate her path. It is 8:45 pm and a girl notices a man looking at her while she is at a bar. Han-saem peeks into Dong-hoon's house and the housekeeper calls the cops. Turns out, he often lurks around. The cops discuss his tenacity and believe it is why he hasn't gotten a promotion. At 9:32, the girl from the bar drives off in a red car. She speeds up and slips a red light. The cops let it go as they are at a supermarket. At 10:07, the red car reaches The One City building. At the end of Nine Puzzles Episode 1, I-na heads to Dong-hoon's. The housekeeper is leaving when there is a delivery. It is a second puzzle piece of a serpentine woman talking to a girl. I-na panic calls Han-saem but he doesn't pick up. The Episode Review Nine Puzzles Episode 1 is a strong introduction to a murder mystery with a quirky and offbeat tone. It is full of symbolism which instantly makes for a fun watch. Every time the camera rests on something, it either symbolises something or is a clue which means viewers have to stay locked in. Along with the strange world of Nine Puzzles, all the characters, main and secondary, are equally eccentric, suggesting that this is not going to be a straightforward thriller. After all, how many cops do you find with tattoos and beanies? We also have to talk about the portrayal of I-na. Kim Da-mi shares that she approaches I-na as someone childish, frank and unapologetic. While not explicitly mentioned, it is likely that she is neurodivergent which is why she doesn't follow the usual social cues. She does what she wants but she is also sincere which we notice with her uncle and the second puzzle piece. Next Episode Expect A Full Season Write-Up When This Season Concludes!
