Latest news with #NinePuzzles


Time of India
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Did Son Suk Ku cancel his break? The artist to star alongside Ha Jung Woo – deets inside!
Actor Suk Ku had earlier this year announced that he would be taking a much-needed break from his career and would focus on delving into other fields after closing up certain commitments. Recent reports, however, suggest otherwise. The actor is said to be in talks for a role in ' Ordinary People ' with Ha Jung Woo . Son Suk Ku might be embarking on another film project The actor went viral after his role in ' Heavenly Ever After ' was praised as one of the best performances the actor has presented on screen. During a promotional interview for the K-drama, the star revealed that he wishes to go on a break to rest and focus on other ventures in the entertainment industry. getting sukku & ha jungwoo casting news wasn't even on my 2025 bingo card 😭😭 — ✮ (@skylnay) July 4, 2025 by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is your tinnitus getting worse? Do this immediately (Watch) Hearing Magazine Undo As per JTBC Entertainment News from July 4, the actor might be joining the cast for 'Ordinary People', a historically driven drama based on the time when Roh Tae Woo was serving his presidential term in the country. All about 'Ordinary People' 'Ordinary People' will deal with scenarios set in the background of Roh Tae Woo's administration. The plot of the series itself has not yet been unveiled. Roh Tae Woo was the sixth president from 1988 to 1993 in South Korea. He is credited with being one of the main reasons for South Korea's shift towards a more democratic administration as well. The production team of the drama has not yet confirmed anything about the upcoming project; however, as per reports, the show is set to begin the production process officially by next year. About Son Suk Ku Son Suk Ku starred in two back-to-back hits in a row with his K-dramas. While he returned to acting with 'Heavenly Ever After', he also joined the star-studded cast of ' Nine Puzzles '. Both of his roles were a major success, and he managed to gain a lot of fame for his roles on screen, making this an even bigger issue.


Pink Villa
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Resident Playbook's Jung Jun Won and Go Yoon Jung lead June 2025 Actor Brand Reputation Rankings, know top 30 list
The Korean Business Research Institute has revealed the results of its latest analysis. The spotlight shines on some of the biggest and fastest-rising names in the Korean entertainment industry. Covering the period between May 24 and June 24, the June 2025 rankings offer a detailed snapshot of actor popularity. The data was compiled using several indicators: media coverage, audience engagement, online interactions, and community discussions. It focused on 100 actors who appeared in dramas, films, or streaming content during the past month. Jung Jun Won clinches No. 1 spot Claiming the No. 1 spot for June is Jung Jun Won. His standout performance in Resident Playbook, Hospital Playlist spin-off, has catapulted him into the spotlight. With a brand reputation index of 5,748,349, Jung's ranking is a proof of his rising influence as a lead actor. Jung's natural acting style and growing fanbase signal a promising future for the actor. His popularity shows no signs of slowing down. Son Suk Ku and So Ji Sub take second and third In second place is Son Suk Ku. His back-to-back appearances in the crime-thriller Nine Puzzles and the romantic fantasy Heavenly Ever After earned him a brand index of 5,450,604. His consistent performances and genre versatility continue to keep him in the spotlight. Veteran actor So Ji Sub returned to the small screen with the gritty drama Mercy for None, placing third with a brand reputation index of 5,042,154. His powerful comeback and longstanding popularity made him a strong contender this month. Go Yoon Jung and Gong Myoung round out the Top 5 At No. 4 is Go Yoon Jung, who also starred in Resident Playbook. Her role helped her gain a solid brand score of 4,094,237. It further boosts her status as one of the most in-demand young actresses in the industry. Gong Myoung claimed fifth place with a brand reputation index of 3,787,932. This is all thanks to his roles in Mercy for None and Second Shot at Love. His romantic and dramatic range has continued to attract praise and growing fan support. Top 30 most talked-about actors in June 2025 Jung Jun Won Son Suk Ku So Ji Sub Go Yoon Jung Gong Myoung Choo Young Woo Lee Jun Young Park Ji Hoon Lee Jae In Kang You Seok Park Bo Gum Shin Si Ah Kim Da Mi Park Bo Young Kang Ha Neul Lee Byung Hun Yook Sungjae (BTOB) Lee Jae Wook Lee Jun Hyuk Kim So Hyun Kim Ji Yeon (WJSN's Bona) Han Ye Ji Jo Bo Ah Uhm Ji Won Ahn Jae Wook Han Ji Min Kim Hye Ja Hong Hwa Yeon Jung Kyung Ho Jang Dong Yoon This month's list doesn't just focus on leading actors. It also reflects a diverse blend of emerging stars and established names.


Forbes
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Son Suk-Ku And Kim Da-Mi Share Clues To Their ‘Nine Puzzles' Characters
Interlocking puzzle pieces provide the clues that can identify a killer in the k-drama Nine Puzzles. At first none of the murders seem to be related, yet these mysterious puzzle segments appear around the time of each crime. Each puzzle piece features a surreal image, difficult to decipher. If detectives knew what the pieces meant and how they fit together, they might prevent another murder. The puzzle pieces may be sending a message to profiler E-na, played by Kim Da-mi (Itaewon Class, Our Beloved Summer). E-na was once a murder suspect, questioned about killing her uncle, but ultimately she was cleared. She's smart, quirky and confrontational. As a profiler she forms a duo with detective partner Han-saem, played by Son Suk-ku (A Killer Paradox, My Liberation Notes, Heavenly Ever After). Han-saem is a relentless detective. He's a little obsessive and he's initially wary of E-na. He doesn't completely trust her but respects her profiling skills. Playing a profiler was fun for Kim since she's a mystery fan. 'I enjoy both reading mysteries and watching mystery series,' said Kim. 'There's something fascinating about deducing and imagining how things might unfold. I think that's what draws me to the mystery genre. When I read viewers' reactions to Nine Puzzle, it was interesting to see how they came up with such a wide range of interpretations. Diverse interpretations are the charm of the mystery genre.' If she were a detective, Kim is sure she would pursue the truth to the end. 'It would probably be quite challenging,' she said. 'Since I may not be as brilliant as E-na, but I would still do my best to fulfill my responsibilities.' Son was not a fan of the mystery genre before Nine Puzzles, but began to get the appeal of the consistently popular genre. 'While working on Nine Puzzles, I started to understand its unique charm," he said. "What I find most appealing about this genre is that it doesn't ask the audience to passively follow the story, rather it invites them to actively engage with it. The audience keeps questioning and looking for clues along the way and this makes them feel more like playing a game than just watching a show. I think that level of participation is what makes the mystery genre so captivating.' It's not the first time Son has donned a police badge for a role. He played a police detective before, trailing a killer of serial killers in A Killer Paradox. 'Aside from the fact that they share the same profession as detectives, the characters are actually very different,' he said. 'Personally, I don't find detective roles particularly attractive. It's really just a coincidence that I ended up playing one again.' One reason he took the Nine Puzzles role is his admiration for the drama's director, Yoon Jong-bin, who previously directed the films Kundo: The Age of Rampant and The Spy Gone North. "I've always admired his high-quality work, the bold but realistic storytelling and the strong visual style,' said Son. 'Especially, while working together, I was moved by his honesty and sincerity which made me respect him even more.' E-na and Han-saem grow closer as the puzzle is pieced together. E-na takes the initiative in winning Han-saem's trust, inserting herself into his investigation and even showing up in his kitchen. Han-saem can't deny the evidence she finds. 'I felt that the suspicion surrounding E-na naturally began to lose its weight as Han-saem started to investigate Lee Mi-young and Kang Chi-mok cases,' said Son. The working relationship between E-na and Han-saem is difficult to define. 'I think words like 'peculiar' or 'unusual' best describe it' said Kim. "Working together with a suspect you've been doubting for ten years wouldn't be easy. But human relationships are never entirely predictable. Likewise, E-na and Han-saem go through a wide range of emotions throughout the investigation. At first, it seems like their distinct personalities would clash, but somehow, they end up complementing each other. I believe it's those 'peculiar' or 'unusual' moments that make E-na and Han-saem's relationship so compelling.' They are both complicated characters. E-na seems to have a lot of confidence despite the trauma of her difficult life. It's largely show. 'E-na may appear strong on the outside, but deep down, she is a vulnerable and delicate person,' said Kim. 'She pretended to be strong to hide that inner fragility. However, her determination to catch the culprit is unshakable and so it makes her seem so confident." While others dismiss her insight, Han-saem appreciates it. Despite her quirky behavior he recognizes her passion for solving the case 'Han-saem is, at his core, someone who carries a warm heart toward victims and he has a real passion for detective novels and films,' said Son. 'I think that side of him plays a big role in what motivates him.' The actors did not have to wait to unravel the mystery. Their characters may have wondered who the culprit was but Son and Kim knew before the first puzzle piece was found in the drama. 'We filmed after reading the full script, so we knew the identity of the culprit from the beginning,' said Kim. Viewers will have to watch the series to test their own detective skills. Nine Puzzles airs on Disney/Hulu. The screenplay was written by Lee Eun-mi, who wrote Navillera and Tunnel.


Mint
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
'My Liberation Notes' actor Son Suk-ku announces hiatus from acting: It's time to focus on more meaningful expressions
South Korean actor Son Suk-ku has announced he will be taking an extended break from acting following the completion of his current projects. In a recent interview with Sports Seoul, the 41-year-old star shared that after years of continuous work, he feels it is time to step back and focus on something deeper. 'I've learned a lot by staying busy, but now it's time to focus on more meaningful expressions,' Son said. Known for his roles in 'The Outlaws 2', 'D.P', 'My Liberation Notes', and most recently 'A Killer Paradox', 'Heavenly Ever After', and 'Nine Puzzles', Son has quickly become one of Korea's most respected actors. His most recent project, 'Nine Puzzles', sees him playing detective Kim Han-haem—his second detective role, though he says this one is quite different. 'Han-aem exists between reality and fantasy. I worked hard to balance that,' he explained. Despite the success, the actor hinted at a growing desire to slow down and explore new forms of creativity. He revealed that he has begun writing a screenplay and is looking forward to where that path might lead. Son also took a moment to thank his audience. 'Whether they liked my work or not, if they watched, they're my number one fans,' he said warmly. Son had made his debut as a director for the anthology film titled 'Unframed'. Along with him actors Park Jeong-min, Choi Hee-seo and Lee Je-hoon also wrote and directed an episode of the series. Suk-ku's episode was titled 'Rerun' or 'Rebroadcast'. While no timeline has been given for his return, fans are hopeful the break will bring even more depth to his future work.


Time of India
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Heavenly Ever After' actor Son Suk Ku to go on extended break; to finish current projects – says 'it's time to focus on more meaningful expressions'
Actor Son Suk Ku , who has recently gone viral for his back-to-back hit TV shows ' Heavenly Ever After ' and ' Nine Puzzles ', has now announced that he will be going on a break. The actor shared that after finishing up his current projects, he plans to take a well-deserved and extended break from his career. 'Heavenly Ever After' actor to take a break from career In a recent update, actor Son Suk Ku shared that he is planning to take an extended break for the time being. In a statement from Sports Seoul, the actor revealed that he wishes to take a long break after finalising his current commitments. "I'm still working right now, but once I finish what I've already committed to, I plan to take quite a long break. In the past, I was focused on appearing in as many works as possible. I've learnt a lot through that experience, but now I feel it's time to focus on more meaningful expressions,' the actor shared in a statement. The actor has managed to become one of the most prolific actors in the Korean entertainment industry , but shares that 'producing a large number of works takes a tremendous amount of time and energy.' He then continued by pointing out that 'it is the right time for change.' He stated that 'I think it's the right moment to explore different ways of performing and bring about change.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo Son Suk Ku , while talking about taking a break and working on new things, also mentioned that throughout his acting gigs, he has also been working on writing a screenplay. He stated that 'Whether people liked my projects or not, if they watched, they're my number one fans. I do have dreams and plans during this break—mainly to take on new challenges I haven't explored before.' Talks about his latest role as Han Saem The actor also briefly mentioned his latest role in 'Nine Puzzles' as Han Saem . He stated that 'the key isn't creating differences but discovering them. Han Saem exists somewhere between reality and fantasy. I worked hard to strike the right balance without going too far in either direction.' The actor directly talked about how similar and different his two detective roles in 'Nine Puzzles' and 'A Killer Paradox' were. He also mentioned how when he started working on 'Nine Puzzles', he managed to reject every other offer that came his way. The actor detailed how he wanted to focus and put his everything into this project to make it a success. 'People kept asking what I was doing, and I'd always answer, 'Just this.' It's a tightly constructed mystery, so I didn't want to stand out in a distracting way. The director Yoon Jong Bin has a clear vision and extensive experience, so all I had to do was trust him and focus,' he shared in the report.