A distinctive mystery thriller 'Nine Puzzles' is set to be released.
On the 14th at the JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square in Jongno, Seoul, a production presentation for Disney+ 'Nine Puzzles' took place. Hosted by Park Kyung-rim, the event was attended by actors Kim Da-mi, Son Suk-ku, Kim Sung-kyun, Hyun Bong-sik, and director Yoon Jong-bin.
'Nine Puzzles' is a mystery thriller that delves into the secrets of a serial murder case reinitiated with the emergence of a mysterious puzzle piece, featuring 'Ina' (Kim Da-mi), the only witness to an unsolved case from 10 years ago and the suspect still under suspicion by the homicide team detective 'Hansem' (Son Suk-ku). Notably, 'Nine Puzzles' is directed by Yoon Jong-bin, known for the film 'The Drug King' and the Netflix original series 'Suriname,' increasing anticipation for the release.
On the day, director Yoon explained about the work, saying, 'Basically, 'Nine Puzzles' is a detective drama. It's a story about two uniquely characterized individuals revealing the hidden truths behind a serial murder.'
He also touched on the casting behind the scenes. Director Yoon shared about Kim Da-mi, stating, 'From the moment I first read the script, I thought that the character Ina was very unique. She is bold, straightforward, and emotionally honest. I initially considered which actor would make this character most likable. I thought that if Kim Da-mi played this role, she wouldn’t be off-putting but would be accepted as a unique character in herself. Looking at the final product, I think she has been portrayed as an oddly charming character.'
'Personally, I often have meals with the actors as we work together, fostering chemistry. However, this time it was challenging. Both Suk-ku and Bong-sik can’t drink, and Da-mi is very strict with her diet. It was hard to arrange gatherings, so I found it quite difficult too. Therefore, we mainly communicated through messaging. Da-mi asked many questions through text, and I answered a lot. Bong-sik also frequently asked questions via messaging. We primarily built our chemistry through chat.'
Director Yoon noted, 'When I first read the script, it was very captivating. It was well-written, but after reading it, the first thought that crossed my mind was, 'Could this really happen in reality?' In the same vein, the main characters, Ina and Hansem, are unique individuals, but could they exist in reality? My conclusion was that, from a realism perspective, viewers might raise an eyebrow. I felt there was a need to enhance the series' tone, which straddles the line between the real world and an unrealistic, almost cartoonish world. Thus, I thought it necessary to present a world from the beginning that distances itself from reality in terms of art and costume design.'
'Moreover, the part I focused on the most was putting meaning into the props and spaces to convey the theme of the work. Also, many thriller works tend to maintain a heavy tone and a reality-based tone, but I tried to make it cuter. The uniqueness of the characters is there, and I can’t help but describe it as cartoonish.'
He also mentioned the impressive guest appearances. Director Yoon noted, 'Every episode has principal characters, but if an actor with no presence appears, they can be easily forgotten, so presence and acting skill were critical. We needed many characters, and I thought, 'This is going to be tough,' so I tapped into all my connections for help. I set up meals to propose roles. All the connections I've made over my 20-year film career are coming into play. It was very difficult, and for Jin-hee, the casting was possible through Son Suk-ku’s relationship. I definitely said that if you ask for a favor, there will be a cost involved. So know that.'
Kim Da-mi explained her motivation for participating in the project, stating, 'When I first read the script, I became really curious about the backstory. So I kept reading continuously on the spot. I felt a lot of curiosity and fun about who the culprit could be. The setting of the character as a unique profiler seemed like a new challenge for acting, which made me want to take on the role.'
She described her character, saying, 'Ten years ago, my uncle got involved in a murder case, and I am the only witness and suspect to that murder. Due to the shock from that time, Ina currently cannot remember anything. When I was setting the character, I thought about how that state frozen in time would be reflected in the present. Currently, she works as a profiler, but with a new puzzle appearing, she collaborates on solving the cases.'
Regarding her focus on acting, she remarked, 'I wanted to express the childlike aspects of her being frozen in time, acting honestly, and somewhat impulsively. However, I wanted to portray a character with both vulnerability and pain within that personality.' She added, 'I also thought that the current Ina and the past Ina, as well as the Ina when she is profiling, may differ, so I acted with that in mind. I wanted current Ina to appear childlike, while when she is profiling, to give off a cold and sharp vibe. I aimed to express the feeling of a switch turning on. Rather than just mimicking existing profiler characters, I thought, 'It would be better for Ina to show her unique way.' Since there are many lines, I thought about how to approach them, incorporating a lot of gestures and creating a rhythm in the lines.'
He also talked about his chemistry with Son Suk-ku, saying, 'It was the first time I matched my breathing with him, and he approached me comfortably. We talked a lot about the project and discussed a lot about communicating, which made me naturally rely on him and we started talking. Since we have many scenes together, we shared various stories and filmed enjoyably.'
Son Suk-ku said, 'Beyond just matching breaths, this was my first time performing in such a strongly genre-specific role, and being a long-time fan of the director made me really nervous during filming. So I needed a place to lean on. I asked him a lot, and I feel like in some ways, Da-mi and I share similar facets. I is part of my nature, and I am straightforward. Talking with her doesn’t create misunderstandings, and I thought it would make for a really good partnership. I received a lot of help from her.'
Son Suk-ku stated, 'The decisive reason for taking this project was not only the script but also that I've been a huge fan of director Yoon Jong-bin for a long time. So when I received the proposal, it was a personal honor.'
He described his character as 'a persistent detective. He thinks of one single case as the one he could not solve for 10 years. Because of that, he has had a hard time getting promoted. He comes out wearing a beanie, and I don’t even know how that started, but I’ve always liked wearing it. I thought it would be fun. Although it seems odd for a detective to wear a beanie, the director said he had researched whether it violated the dress code for detectives. And since there wasn't any restriction, he suggested it, and at first, I thought I would wear it just once or twice, but ended up wearing it throughout due to its help while acting.'
Regarding his relationship with Ina, he stated, 'Expressing that relationship was the assignment. It’s not just a colleague relationship, nor are they close siblings. They aren't enemies, either. It’s something in between, and since it's a kind of relationship that’s hard to experience in general, I thought, 'At some point, I shouldn’t feel stressed and can let my imagination run, believing that what I do could be the correct answer.' Da-mi also helped a lot. She sparked ideas. The banter between us will be fun and cute.'
'For instance, if it were a realistic detective story, I would have acted silently and seriously, but I wanted it to be more than that. Not just light and cute, but I hoped the character would have unexpected traits. So I wondered what would work, and I personally felt that the natural chemistry Da-mi and I shared was important. Not harnessing that would feel like a loss. Since it’s our chemistry, I believe it would come out, connecting with viewers' trends, and thus produce a natural, new appearance and relationship rather than typical.'
Kim Sung-kyun plays 'Yang Jeong-ho,' the leader of the violent crimes team at the Seoul Hangang Police Station, respected by all team members and a role model. He said, 'I have always thought this, but I met the director after 13 years since 'War on Crime.' We shot in 2011. Although there was 'The Drug King' during that time, I didn’t frequent the set. The significance of reuniting with the director after 10 years was huge, and it was a touching filming experience. Additionally, I am grateful for the good script and the substantial role.'
Kim Sung-kyun talked about his character, saying, 'He deeply has a sense of duty towards his job, follows principles strictly, and even pays respects at the funerals of crime victims. It would be interesting to see the fun in that storyline.' However, when asked if his character has a twist, he cryptically replied, 'Given that we are in a mystery drama, it’s difficult to say. I won't mention it.'
Hyun Bong-sik plays 'Choi San,' the youngest detective in the Hangang Police Station's Violent Crimes Team. He humorously said, 'The script was captivating, and I was delighted to take on the role of the 'youngest detective' that the director proposed. I used to always be the leader, but now I get to be the youngest.' He elaborated on the character, saying, 'He is a detective filled with MZ energy. He wants to be a cool detective who captures violent criminals, but in reality, he is just a typical youngest member, always monitoring CCTV. He also aims to maintain a work-life balance.'
Son Suk-ku, who previously collaborated with Hyun Bong-sik in 'D.P,' humorously commented on meeting as the youngest detective, saying, 'He's cute. When I was in the military, it was like, I have to do well. Once you enter society, you never know how things might change. He probably had some regrets too. I wondered if he’s trying to act cutely to cover that up.'
Hyun Bong-sik also shared, 'It was really fun because everyone was someone I had worked with before. The atmosphere on set was really enjoyable and happy. Filming was filming, but during breaks, we joked a lot. It was a pleasant filming environment.'
Finally, Son Suk-ku said, 'Before you watch the work, be careful of spoilers, and from the first episode to the last, you can have a good time trying to guess who the culprit is. We worked hard on it, so I hope you enjoy it.' Hyun Bong-sik added, 'It will offer enjoyment that differs from a basic detective drama.'
'Meanwhile, 'Nine Puzzles' will be first released on the 21st through Disney+.
[Photo] OSEN DB
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