Actress Kim Da-mi reflected on what she learned through "Nine Puzzles."

On the afternoon of the 5th, an ending interview with Kim Da-mi, the leading actress of the Disney+ original series "Nine Puzzles," took place at a café in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

"Nine Puzzles" is a mystery thriller about Lee Na (played by Kim Da-mi), the only witness to an unresolved case from 10 years ago and a current profiler, and Detective HANSSEM (played by Son Suk-ku), who continues to suspect him as a suspect, unraveling the secrets of a serial murder case reinitiated with mysterious puzzle pieces.

On the 21st of last month, "Nine Puzzles," which premiered the 6th episode out of 11, simultaneously became the most-watched Korean content worldwide and ranked 1st in viewership among the 7 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. In response, Kim Da-mi noted, "I felt good. It feels nice to see so much love for something that just came out."

Due to the nature of the mystery genre, he said he received a lot of questions about the culprit immediately after the release, stating, "People around me kept asking about every little detail. They wondered, 'Is there a reason why Lee Na's nail color changes?' and asked what each line meant." He added, "Some were even suggesting that the person hanging laundry in the background might be the culprit, and others were speculating on various people as the suspect. I thought, 'Wow, people can think this deeply.' I changed my nail color to match my outfit, and there was absolutely no intention behind it. I just did it according to my clothes, but people seemed to interpret it differently."

In the series, Kim Da-mi portrayed Yoon Ina, the only witness and a suspect in her uncle's murder 10 years ago, who became a profiler to uncover the secrets of that day. In the early part of the drama, Yoon Ina is depicted as both the only witness to the murder and someone who shows little upheaval over her uncle's death, creating an impression as if she might be the perpetrator. Kim Da-mi explained, "I tried to express the ambiguity. Since I needed to forget my memories, I didn't want to express outwardly that I was shocked. I wanted to show her uncertainty about how to react. The director and I discussed every little detail, like the subtle movements of the eyes, where to look, and how to behave in a way that might suggest I am the culprit."

Kim Da-mi had concerns about playing a character with a cartoonish and colorful personality. She said, "Initially, I worried because Lee Na has a highly exaggerated, seemingly unrealistic character. I thought about that, but I also believed it was unique to Lee Na's character. I thought there would be something special derived from that, so rather than feeling it was challenging, I aimed to balance the tone with the director during profiling, keeping it serious. I intended to incorporate a lot of rhythm and cadence into my lines. I thought this character couldn't deliver naturally. I believe Lee Na is a character where what is in her mind is directly conveyed as she talks, so I wanted to speak quickly and add rhythm to show Lee Na's comic and fairy tale aspects. I used a lot of hand gestures because there were many explanations, and I wanted to portray her as anxious with quick breathing and someone who doesn’t listen to others.

However, regarding the perception that Yoon Ina might appear sociopathic, she expressed, "I thought of her as someone exceptional in one regard. I don't think of her as a complete antisocial person, as she cares about her team and seeks to be loved. I see her as a flawed character, but on the other hand, she seems almost genius-level developed and becomes anxious if that doesn't happen. I didn't think of her as sociopathic at all."

On the topic of her childlike speech, which drew mixed reactions from viewers, Kim Da-mi noted, "I anticipated there would be mixed reactions. I was worried about this aspect in the beginning. Having a character with such a high tone could feel awkward leading the narrative. She has to drive the story, but she might seem detached from the character." Nevertheless, she added, "I think this is a characteristic of the drama. In a way, it can be seen as a challenge, but a character can change how the drama appears. Since Lee Na doesn't express her feelings in a typical way, I thought there might be aspects that viewers wouldn't connect with, so I included more of Lee Na's painful spots in scenes where she consults with Seung-ju."

She also spoke about the relationship between Yoon Ina and Kim Han-seem. Kim Da-mi shared, "I originally thought of various directions. In the end, I think it will depend on the viewers. While they bicker, it feels like they have no one else but each other. This might seem melodramatic to some, but that wasn't intentional. I think it's a strange and peculiar relationship."

When asked about her decision to take on a character that was not easy to portray, Kim Da-mi explained, "When I read the script, I became curious about the next story. There was an attraction to the story itself, and since it was directed by Yoon Jong-bin, I wondered how it would be made. At first, I didn't think of Lee Na as a comic character. Later, while discussing with the director and hearing about the directorial direction, I realized that certain aspects could change. The director gave me confidence in the points we could develop together, leading me to join the project," adding, "Compared to my previous characters, this character is more nuanced. I had to ensure there was a natural flow in my performance while considering how it would be presented and expressed. I felt it was important to know clearly what was needed when filming, so I studied thoroughly."

However, the most challenging part, according to him, was the "volume of lines." Kim Da-mi said, "I needed to deliver effectively while managing a large quantity of lines, and I couldn't lose the character's essence. It was difficult to find the balance between delivery and character traits. There were many takes. If one point didn't come across clearly, I would address it, and we worked on it. Given the volume of lines, it was difficult to memorize all of them a month in advance and try to recite daily."

Regarding the ending, which elicited feelings of emptiness among some viewers, he stated, "Initially, Ina doesn't react in a typical way when someone dies, which might seem odd. However, from Ina's perspective, through the culprit, she experiences emotions that signify growth for her character. In that sense, I felt satisfied with it," adding, "In a way, it suggests Ina's human side, and while she couldn't catch the culprit and could have prevented it, I believe it was something she could do as a character."

When asked if discovering a new puzzle at the ending hints at a season 2, he replied, "I haven't discussed season 2 separately. The ending could imply that someone who mimics or resembles the original might appear again, or it might genuinely be someone who has been involved. I'm not entirely sure about the world-building, but I believe something similar is occurring within that universe. I think of it as an open ending."

Having taken on characters from unconventional family backgrounds in the past, Kim Da-mi shared, "I find charm in characters that possess various aspects. While there might be pain, I enjoy it when a character becomes bright, showcasing emotional changes and growth. I wanted to encounter characters that could convey many stories and emotions, even if the genres are different."

Reflecting on what she learned while finishing "Nine Puzzles," she said, "Since I was working on a character with strong traits, I made an effort to view the emotional aspects in relation to my previous experiences. I wanted to emphasize the external and action-oriented aspects while studying and contemplating how to create a narrative flow. I learned a lot about what I can convey as an actor, along with emotional aspects, especially regarding what is important in a mystery. The director clearly articulated the vision for each cut, which felt thorough and made me realize what kind of feelings I should convey in those moments. Therefore, I believe I learned a lot while filming this project."

[Photo] UAA, Disney+

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