02/06/2025

LYFE MONDAY | JUNE 2, 2025

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D ISNEY+ continues to cement its place as a hub for quality K-dramas with Nine Puzzles , a gripping psychological crime series directed by Yoon Jong-bin and penned by Lee Eun-mi. This 11-episode thriller packages emotional trauma, criminal profiling and unresolved mysteries into a layered narrative that keeps viewers guessing. At the centre of the story is Yoon E-na, played with haunting intensity by Kim Da-mi. As a teenager, E-na stumbled upon the lifeless body of her beloved uncle with a single puzzle piece ominously left at the crime scene. Although the case never led to charges, E-na became the prime suspect in the eyes of detective Kim Han-saem (Son Suk-ku). The stigma stuck and the case went cold but the emotional scars remained. Years later, E-na has transformed into a profiler for the Seoul Ű BY THASHINE SELVAKUMARAN

TV SERIES REVIEW

Criminal minds

o Nine Puzzles delivers gripping psychological thriller Metropolitan Police Agency, working to understand the minds of criminals while struggling with her own unresolved trauma. When a new murder emerges with disturbingly similar characteristics to her uncle’s case, E-na is forced to reopen old wounds. She is also made to partner with Han-saem, the very man who once believed she was a killer.

Their dynamic is at the core of the drama. Da-mi portrays E-na with restrained fury and calculated calm, while Son delivers a subtle performance as a detective grappling with guilt, doubt and professional duty. Their uneasy alliance is less about redemption and more about recognition of each other’s pain and shared obsession with the truth. Visually, Nine Puzzles leans into darkness. Jong-bin’s direction favours long silences, dim lighting and slow reveals, crafting an atmosphere that is as unsettling as it is intriguing. Composer Jo Yeong-wook, known for his work on Oldboy and The Handmaiden , heightens the mood with a chilling score that creeps in at the right moments. The pacing is slow in the first few episodes, but purposefully so. Each scene, line of dialogue and expression is loaded with significance. What might feel like a lull is actually the show laying down the emotional groundwork for the twists and turns that follow. Viewers who stick with it will find themselves rewarded with a thriller that values psychological realism over flashy dramatics. Supporting performances from Kim Sung-kyun and Hyeon Bong-sik add balance and weight to the cast, helping ground the series in procedural reality while E-na and Han-saem pursue a more personal

0 DIRECTOR: Yoon Jong-bin 0 CAST: Kim Da-mi, Son Suk-ku, Kim Sung-kyun, Hyeon Bong sik E-VALUE 7 ACTING 8 PLOT 7

Nine Puzzles rewards viewers with a thriller that values psychological realism over flashy dramatics. – PICS FROM INSTAGRAM @DISNEYPLUSKR

kind of justice. With just enough questions answered and more still unresolved, the first half sets the stage for an

intense escalation. Nine Puzzles is now streaming on Disney+. The final two episodes will air this Wednesday.

Da-mi (left) captivates as E-na.

Nera plans to re-record Hatimu Milikku FORMER Akademi Fantasia season nine contestant Nera plans to re-record her song Hatimu Milikku as a tribute to her fans who have supported her over the years.

Eurovision gets 166 million viewers THE Eurovision Song Contest confirmed its place as the world’s biggest live televised music event, with 166 million viewers in 37 countries watching the 2025 edition, organisers said. world’s biggest public service media alliance. Meanwhile there were 969 million views on Instagram and 748.5 million on TikTok.

Nera, whose real name is Queennera Francis Kitingon, 33, said the decision was driven by fan requests after the decade-old song recently regained popularity on social media. “I was surprised when the song went viral again on TikTok. Because of that, many people started reaching out and asking for a new version. “So, I feel this is the right time to do something as a token of appreciation for my loyal fans,” she said at a press conference for the theatre production Huminodun: Muzikal Puteri Nabalu . Although she seems to have stepped back from the national entertainment scene, Nera has been working in Sabah as a radio announcer at Kupi-Kupi FM for the past 10 years. At the same time, she is also involved in the production of a short film titled Roti Kahwin in conjunction with this year’s Kaamatan Festival and is in the process of releasing several new singles. Nera said she is open to expanding her career to Peninsular Malaysia if given the right opportunities, although she admits that her responsibilities as a mother of two pose a significant challenge. “That is the biggest challenge for me because I am really a family-oriented person. But if the opportunity arises and I feel I can handle it, I will go for it – not just for myself, but for my family as well,” she said.

The May 17 grand final was won by Austrian countertenor JJ singing Wasted Love . Following JJ’s win, next year’s event will be hosted in Austria. – AFP

Three million more people watched this year’s 69th edition in Basel, Switzerland than last year’s contest in Malmo, Sweden, said the European Broadcasting Union, the

Nera says she is open to expanding her career to Peninsular Malaysia if given the right opportunities. – BERNAMAPIC

In other developments, Nera returned to the theatre stage in Huminodun: Muzikal Puteri Nabalu at the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Auditorium, which ran from Friday to yesterday, in conjunction with the Kaamatan Festival celebration. Playing the lead role of Puteri Huminodun, Nera described this involvement as a unique and challenging experience, especially in terms of combining live singing and acting. “I have always been passionate about music, acting and theatre.

Huminodun is a challenge for me because it combines three elements – singing, acting and live performance. This is my second time participating and this time, they offered me the lead role without an audition. “I am more used to story-driven acting, but this time, it requires a full blend of acting and singing,” she said, expressing hope that the performance will not only entertain audiences but also serve as a platform to bring the community closer to the rich cultural heritage of Sabah. – Bernama

Austrian countertenor JJ,who sang Wasted Love , wins the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest. – AFPPIC