Disney+’s upcoming mystery thriller Nine Puzzles, led by Kim Da Mi and Son Suk Ku, has confirmed its premiere date and released a captivating new poster. The series, directed by Yoon Jong Bin, promises a gripping narrative centered on a decade-old unsolved murder case. It is set to debut globally on May 21, 2025, with a unique release schedule. The drama has generated significant buzz due to its star-studded cast, innovative storytelling, and visually distinct aesthetic. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the series’ details, background, and public reactions.
Nine Puzzles follows Yoon Yi Na (Kim Da Mi), a criminal profiler and the sole witness to her uncle’s murder ten years ago, and Kim Han Saem (Son Suk Ku), a Violent Crimes Team detective who suspects her as the culprit. The two are forced to collaborate to unravel a serial murder case that begins with a mysterious puzzle piece. The series, written by Lee Eun Mi, explores themes of trauma, suspicion, and truth, blending psychological depth with intense suspense.
The newly released poster, dropped on April 17, 2025, adopts a monochrome detective novel aesthetic. It traces Yoon Yi Na’s movements as a high school student on the night of the murder, from leaving school to arriving home. A red rope along a wall and a crimson hue through a window hint at the crime scene, contrasting the black-and-white design. This visual sparks curiosity about the events of that fateful night.
The series will release its first six episodes on May 21, 2025, followed by three episodes on May 28, and the final two on June 4, totaling 11 episodes. This staggered release aims to maintain viewer engagement over three weeks. Disney+ announced the schedule via its official channels, amplifying anticipation.
Kim Da Mi, known for Itaewon Class and Our Beloved Summer, portrays Yoon Yi Na as a sharp profiler with a unique investigative style. She researched profiling techniques and collaborated with Yoon Jong Bin to craft a multifaceted character. Son Suk Ku, acclaimed for My Liberation Notes and A Killer Paradox, plays the unconventional Kim Han Saem, whose eccentric methods create unexpected chemistry with Yoon Yi Na. The director, celebrated for Narco-Saints and The Spy Gone North, emphasizes the script’s unpredictability, keeping viewers guessing until the final episode.
“I thought Yi Na would have her own unique profiling method, so I did some research on profilers and worked closely with the director to develop something distinctive for her character and focused on showcasing her multifaceted nature.”
— Kim Da Mi, on her role as Yoon Yi Na.“‘Nine Puzzles’ is a truly unique series. Even my visual in this drama is unconventional. It offers a tone and aesthetic vastly different from previous Korean detective dramas.”
— Son Suk Ku, on the series’ originality.“What intrigued me most about the script was its unpredictability. Even by the final episode, I couldn’t guess what was going to happen, and the twists and turns in each episode kept me hooked.”
— Yoon Jong Bin, director of Nine Puzzles.
Drama Details
Nine Puzzles is a Disney+ original mystery thriller with 11 episodes. It centers on Yoon Yi Na, who witnessed her uncle’s murder at a young age, shaping her career as a profiler at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Forensic Science Department. Kim Han Saem, an elite detective, remains convinced of her guilt from the decade-old case. Their investigation into new murders, linked by a cryptic puzzle piece, forces them to confront their past and mutual distrust. The series, produced by Kakao Entertainment and Wolgwang, features a script by Lee Eun Mi (Navillera, Tunnel) and direction by Yoon Jong Bin. Additional cast includes Kim Sung Kyun as Yang Jungho. The drama promises fresh visuals and a narrative distinct from traditional Korean detective stories.
Kim Da Mi, born April 9, 1995, debuted in the 2017 film Project With The Same Name and rose to fame with The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion (2018), earning awards like the Cheval Noir at the Fantasia International Film Festival. Her television debut in Itaewon Class (2020) won her a Baeksang Arts Award for Best New Actress. Son Suk Ku, born February 7, 1983, began acting in films like Scarlet Innocence (2014) and gained prominence with My Liberation Notes (2022) and A Killer Paradox (2024). Both actors are represented by ANDMARQ Entertainment and SBD Entertainment, respectively.
The series marks Kim Da Mi’s return to dramas since Our Beloved Summer (2021) and Son Suk Ku’s first project since A Killer Paradox. Yoon Jong Bin, known for his meticulous storytelling, previously directed Narco-Saints (2022), which achieved global success on Netflix. His filmography, including Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time (2012) and Kundo: Age of the Rampant (2014), underscores his ability to blend gritty narratives with emotional depth.
Compared to other Korean thrillers like Vincenzo or Mouse, Nine Puzzles stands out for its focus on psychological profiling and a non-linear narrative. The genre has seen a surge in popularity, with 2024 Hallyu surveys naming Squid Game and The Glory as top overseas K-dramas, indicating strong global demand for suspenseful content. Disney+’s investment in originals like Moving (2023), which garnered 12 million views in its first week, reflects the platform’s growing influence in the K-drama market.
Netizens Reactions
Posts on X reveal widespread excitement for Nine Puzzles. Fans praise the casting and poster’s aesthetic, with many anticipating a standout performance from Kim Da Mi and Son Suk Ku.
“Kim Da Mi and Son Suk Ku in a thriller? I’m seated! That poster is giving all the chills.”
— User @kdramaqueen, April 17, 2025.
“The chemistry between these two is going to be insane. May 21 can’t come soon enough!”
— User @hallyufanatic, April 16, 2025.
nowhere’s a better example than Nine Puzzles! The poster alone is enough to get me hyped.”
— User @dramalover, April 17, 2025.
“Son Suk Ku and Kim Da Mi under Yoon Jong Bin’s direction? This is going to be a masterpiece.”
— User @kfilmvibes, April 16, 2025.
“That release schedule is wild—6 episodes first? Disney+ knows how to keep us hooked.”
— User @bingewatcher, April 17, 2025.
At a Disney+ Content Showcase in Singapore on November 21, 2024, Kim Da Mi and Son Suk Ku shared light-hearted anecdotes about filming. Kim Da Mi mentioned enjoying “nice meals” with the cast, while Son Suk Ku humorously noted gaining weight during production due to the abundance of food, prompting the crew to switch to healthier snacks.
“Speaking of eating, this reminds me. Now that I’m in my 40s, I gain weight easily when I eat. Usually when I’m filming, I maintain my weight, but this time I gained it because we ate a lot.”
— Son Suk Ku, at the Singapore press conference.
Disney+’s promotional efforts, including a teaser released on November 21, 2024, showcase tense interactions between Yoon Yi Na and Kim Han Saem, heightening anticipation. The platform’s Instagram post by @disneypluskr on April 2, 2024, announced the project, describing it as a “fresh encounter” between the leads and director.
Nine Puzzles joins Disney+’s 2025 lineup alongside Low Life, starring Ryu Seung Ryong, reflecting the platform’s focus on high-profile K-dramas. The series’ global release aligns with the growing popularity of Korean content, with Disney+ reporting a 20% increase in K-drama viewership in 2024 compared to 2023.
The latest verified update, as of April 17, 2025, confirms the premiere of Nine Puzzles on May 21, 2025, with the first six episodes, followed by three on May 28 and two on June 4. The poster and release details have amplified global excitement for the series.
CREDITS: DISNEY+ Korea
