Who Is The Puzzle Killer In Nine Puzzles? Breaking Down the Clues

The mystery in the Nine Puzzles keeps getting darker with every episode. Fans are guessing, speculating, and questioning each character’s true intentions. With only two episodes left, the big question remains—who is the puzzle killer in Nine Puzzle Kdrama?

So far, seven people are dead. And every one of them seems to have a shady past or secret connection. But what’s more surprising is that some characters keep showing up at the wrong place at the wrong time. Let’s break it down and take a closer look at the suspects.

Is I-Na Really Just a Victim?

I-Na seems innocent on the surface. She’s a profiler, acts smart, and always finds the puzzle pieces. But her behavior feels off. One moment she’s sharp, the next she forgets big things—like what happened on the day her uncle died. Yes, trauma can cause memory loss, but her presence at multiple crime scenes is strange.

Think about it.

Gang-hyun, the journalist? I-Na was above his flat. Dong-hoon, her uncle? She found the body. Miyoung, the bar owner? I-Na was the first to see the scene. Cheol-jin, the architect? She met him just before he died. That’s not normal. It’s almost like she’s always there when something bad happens.

She also gets all the puzzles. That alone is suspicious. In the first episode, she’s even seen drawing something that looks like the creepy. Some viewers think she might have a split personality. Others believe her past trauma could have triggered something more serious.

She lost her parents, too. Could this be a revenge plot? Maybe the victims are somehow linked to her family’s death. It’s possible. Her actions suggest she’s hiding more than she shows. She could be the smartest one in the room—and maybe using that to mislead everyone else.

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Could Dr. Hwang Be Hiding Something?

Dr. Hwang In-Chan is a therapist, but the way he talks raises eyebrows. He once told a story about a boy who killed his father because of abuse. He brought it up multiple times. That’s unusual for someone in his field unless it’s personal.

There’s tension between him and another doctor, Lee. The way they talk feels secretive. Plus, we learn he’s also a painter. That small detail might mean more than it seems. I-Na visited his clinic often—five years in fact. That’s not casual. If he isn’t involved, why does he have so much screen time? Their bond feels too important to ignore.

His character could be more than just a side role. Maybe he helped the killer. Maybe he’s guiding I-Na, or maybe he has his own reasons to be close to the case. Either way, his calm tone hides something deeper.

What About Han-Saem?

Han-Saem is the officer who’s been on the case for a decade. But he’s oddly focused on it. There’s not much known about his background except for his mother, who lives in The One City building, where many victims had the link.

That can’t be a coincidence.

He once quoted a line from L.A. Confidential, referencing a twist where the trusted cop turns out to be the villain. Is he hinting at something? Was it a joke, or a clue? Also, all the crime scenes are too perfect. No fingerprints. No mistakes. Whoever did it is skilled.

Could it be him?

It’s hard to say. But his obsession with crime and detective stories could be more than just a hobby. Maybe he’s been crafting the perfect case—one only he can solve.

Victim List Hints at the Killer’s Motives in Nine Puzzles

Each victim seems to have a dark past:

1. Gang-hyun, the journalist, possibly manipulated news for personal gain.

2. Dong-hoon, the superintendent, might have covered up a case.

3. Miyoung, the bar owner, whispered secrets—maybe blackmailed people.

4. Chi-muk, died in a love affair gone wrong, but was also targeted in a puzzle.

5. Yoon-su ruined children’s dreams, as hinted by the sandcastle in the puzzle.

6. Cheol-jin, an architect, is shown as greedy in a puzzle sketch.

7. Jang-beom, a prosecutor, hinted at manipulating young victims.

The puzzle pieces aren’t just clues—they’re judgments.

The killer seems to pick victims based on moral flaws. The drawings before each murder offer hints. There’s meaning in each image. It’s not random. Every act is carefully planned.

And now, only two more victims are left. The next might be from the forensic team—someone who tampered with autopsy reports. That’s one theory.

The Last Suspect Might Still Be Hidden in Nine Puzzles

With the final episodes airing on June 4, there’s still room for a twist. It could be a new character, someone tied to the orphanage or amusement park mentioned in the story. That place might hold the truth behind the killer’s past.

Or maybe it’s someone we’ve known all along.

Either way, fans are ready to find out who the puzzle killer is in the Nine Puzzles Kdrama. The show has built suspense without making things obvious. And every clue so far points in different directions.

Keep watching to see if it’s I-Na, Dr. Hwang, Han-Saem, or someone new entirely.

Whatever happens next, one thing’s for sure—the ending is going to change everything.