The intense psychological thriller Nine Puzzles wrapped up its suspense-filled story on June 4, 2025, with a finale that both answered burning questions and opened the door to future mysteries. The series, starring Kim Da Mi and Son Suk Ku, kept viewers hooked with its complex storytelling, emotionally layered characters, and a villain whose haunting backstory added depth to every chilling moment.
Over the course of the drama, the story followed profiler Yoon Yi Na, played by Kim Da Mi, who had witnessed a murder as a child. That traumatic memory comes full circle when she’s drawn into a new wave of serial killings, forcing her to confront the past she thought she had buried. Alongside her was detective Kim Han Saem (Son Suk Ku), whose initial doubts about Yi Na slowly turn into trust as the puzzle begins to come together—both literally and figuratively.
As the story approached its climax, the shocking truth was finally revealed: the killer was Dr. Lee Seung Joo, Yi Na’s trusted psychiatrist, portrayed by Park Gyu Young. But this was no typical villain. Lee Seung Joo, whose real name was Lee Seol, had suffered devastating trauma as a child. Her mother died during the violent demolition of Shindonga Market, and Seol was lost in the foster care system, unaware of what really happened. Her descent into darkness was rooted in the lies and injustices of others, not in inherent evil.
Yi Na and Han Saem’s investigation exposed a web of corruption and cover-ups. Each of the killer’s victims was involved in hiding the truth about the demolition. Whether it was greedy officials, dishonest reporters, or those who simply looked away, each death served as a chilling form of justice. Flashbacks revealed how the story had been twisted—reporters painted her mother as unstable, and even Yi Na’s own uncle had accepted bribes to stay silent.
The finale brought everything to a heart-wrenching close. Dr. Seung Joo invited Yi Na to The One City theme park, a place full of personal memories, and carried out her final plan. Despite Yi Na’s emotional pleas, Seung Joo chose to end her life in a fire, in the same spot where she once waited for her mother. Her death felt like both a tragic ending and a way of reclaiming control over her story—refusing to let the world rewrite it again.
In the aftermath, Yi Na is shaken by the revelation of her uncle’s role in the cover-up and tries to quit her job. However, she’s only granted leave. Just when it feels like the case is over, a new murder takes place—with a familiar puzzle piece left behind. Yi Na, quietly returning to the scene, holds the piece in her hand, leaving viewers with one burning question: is the nightmare really over?
Disney+ hasn’t officially confirmed a second season yet, but the ending makes it clear that there’s more to this story. With a new mystery brewing and Yi Na drawn back into the investigation, fans are left wondering whether she’ll be solving the next puzzle—or becoming part of it herself.\