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One of the most popular series on Disney+ recently is the Korean mystery thriller “Nine Puzzles,” starring Kim DaMi and Son SukKu. The show has captivated audiences not only in South Korea but also internationally. One of its most notable aspects is the absence of a romantic storyline.
It’s pretty common for Korean dramas to include a bit of romance, even when the main story is all about crime or mystery. But “Nine Puzzles” goes against the usual pattern, and that’s what makes it stand out from the rest. The question is, was it the right call to exclude romance completely, or did it leave something missing for some viewers? This article will examine how that decision influenced the narrative and viewer experience.
About New Mystery Thriller K-Drama “Nine Puzzles”
Directed by renowned filmmaker Yoon JongBin, “Nine Puzzles” is a crime thriller that revolves around a case left open for 10 years. The story follows Yoon Ena (played by Kim DaMi), a high school student who is the only witness to the murder of her uncle. The time she discovered her uncle’s dead body was also when she saw a mysterious puzzle piece. Detective Kim HanSaem (played by Son SukKu) sees Ena as the prime suspect.
A decade later, Ena becomes a criminal profiler and gets caught up in a new string of murders. These cases are all strangely linked by puzzle pieces. With the help of SukKu, Ena dives into these new murders to solve the puzzle.
The Disney+ series also stars Kim SungKyun and Hyun BongSik. The person behind the story is Lee EunMi, who also wrote “Tunnel.”
Achievements of “Nine Puzzles” Following Premiere
Disney+ original series “Nine Puzzles” premiered on May 21, with its first six episodes released on that day. The remaining episodes were launched on May 28 (episodes 7-9) and June 4 (episodes 10-11). Just five days after its debut, the show entered the global top 10 in Disney+ TV shows. It even ranked first on the charts in Korea and Japan.
Disney Plus Korea Official X
That’s not all. After only one week, “Nine Puzzles” became the platform’s second-most-watched Korean content, following “Moving.” Disney+ based the results on viewing hours. Nine days following its release, the drama became the platform’s most-viewed Korean title worldwide in 2025. On IMDb, each episode of the series averages a strong 9.4 rating.
“Nine Puzzles” has also received favorable reviews from international outlets. U.S. entertainment media outlet Decider described it as “a curiosity-provoking thriller.” The Review Geek commended its “bizarre and quirky tone” that gives the murder-mystery genre a fresh twist.
Why Doesn’t “Nine Puzzles” Have a Romance Subplot?
Romance is one of the most common genres in the K-Drama industry, and producers often incorporate it into narratives. “Nine Puzzles,” however, breaks from that trend. But how come?
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