Latest news with #NinePuzzles'
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.
Korea Herald
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Kim Da-mi says she wants characters to eclipse her own persona
'The Witch,' 'Itaewon Class' star discusses her quirky detective role in 'Nine Puzzles' When it comes to actors, there are generally two types: those whose names come to mind first, and those whose performances lead you to recall their characters before the actor behind them. Kim Da-mi belongs in the latter category. Her role in the action-thriller "The Witch" (2018) as a remorseless killer, followed by her turn as a sociopathic genius in "Itaewon Class" (2020), established her as a chameleon-like actor whose characters overshadow her own identity. Her latest role in "Nine Puzzles", where she plays Yi-na, a quirky genius profiler with memory issues, continues that trend. Once again, Kim vanishes into the part, assuming a character that feels lived-in. Speaking about her portrayal of Yi-na, whom viewers compared to the popular Japanese anime character Detective Conan, Kim admitted she was initially concerned about how the audience would perceive such a unique character. 'All the other characters are calm and grounded, but Yi-na has a higher-pitched tone and feels childlike, so I had a lot of concerns in the beginning,' she said, during a press roundtable held in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, Thursday. She added, 'She's the most cartoonish among the characters, but that's what makes her unique and charming.' To heighten that animated quality, Kim was meticulous about the character's styling. 'I added a tie as a style point, and I changed her nail colors and earrings every day,' she said. 'I even tried wearing glasses during profiling scenes. It gave off a comic book character vibe. Both the director and I felt it really captured the detective feel we were going for.' As for Yi-na's internal world, Kim offered a more nuanced take. 'She loves people more than anyone, but she puts up thorns to protect herself from getting hurt,' she explained. 'I don't think of her as a sociopath.' Despite frequently playing emotionally complex or even sociopathic roles, Kim described herself as far removed from those personas. 'Personally, I'm actually quite introverted,' she revealed. 'When I did 'Itaewon Class' early on, it was really difficult because the character was so different from who I am. I struggled a lot with that. But I wanted to challenge myself, so I thought, 'Let's try it. Let's learn and give it a shot.'' Kim is also clear about the kind of presence she wants to cultivate in the industry — one where she is remembered for her characters, not for herself. 'To be honest, I'm actually quite introverted and not very good at speaking, but I think there's something I always keep in mind. I'd rather have the character come through more than myself. Since acting is the one thing I can show properly, I want the audience to see the character, not me. I don't think there's really anything I want people to know about me personally. If anything, I hope they don't focus too much on the human side of me.'
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Prabhas' ‘The Raja Saab' Locks Release Date
Prabhas' 'The Raja Saab' has set its theatrical release for Dec. 5, with the teaser arriving June 16. The project marks the Indian star's first horror entertainer, a departure from his typical action fare. Director Maruthi, known for blending humor with genre elements, helms the supernatural thriller. People Media Factory backs the production, with T.G. Vishwa Prasad producing. Karthik Palani handles cinematography while Thaman S. composes the score. More from Variety Rekha, Muzaffar Ali's Indian Classic 'Umrao Jaan' Returns in 4K Restoration - Global Bulletin 'Nine Puzzles' Becomes Disney+'s Most-Watched Korean Series of 2025 - Global Bulletin Prabhas' 'Salaar' Tops Nielsen Mobile Streaming Charts as JioHotstar Dominates, Multilingual Content Surges in India The cast includes Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Ridhi Kumar alongside Prabhas. The film will release across multiple languages including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam. December has become a competitive window for Indian cinema releases, with 'The Raja Saab' aiming to capitalize on the year-end theatrical market. The horror-comedy hybrid represents Prabhas' continued genre experimentation following his pan-Indian success with the 'Baahubali' franchise and recent actioners. Netflix India's action-drama series 'Rana Naidu' returns June 13 with a second season promising higher stakes and personal vendettas. The series follows Rana, a fixer for the wealthy, as he faces his most dangerous adversary yet in Rauf while protecting his family. Real-life uncle-nephew duo Rana Daggubati and Venkatesh Daggubati reprise their roles as the feuding father-son pair, with new addition Arjun Rampal bringing 'baggage and brutality,' according to Netflix. 'Season 2 is bigger, darker, and way more intense,' said creator-director Karan Anshuman. Producer Sunder Aaron noted the sophomore season delivers more 'heart, fire, and drama' than its breakout 2023 predecessor. India's Yash Raj Films has released the title track for director Mohit Suri's romantic drama 'Saiyaara.' The song features melodies Suri has 'carefully collected and curated for over five years.' The track introduces Kashmiri composers-singers Faheem Abdullah and Arslan Nizami to Bollywood, with music by Tanishk Bagchi and lyrics by Irshad Kamil. 'There is so much love, longing and heart in this song that I fell in love with it instantly,' Suri says of what he calls 'an extremely fresh romantic album.' The film stars debutant Ahaan Panday, and Aneet Padda, with YRF's Akshaye Widhani producing. 'Saiyaara' releases July 18 worldwide. Best of Variety What's Coming to Netflix in June 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts?
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rekha, Muzaffar Ali's Indian Classic ‘Umrao Jaan' Returns in 4K Restoration
India's biggest multiplex chain PVR Inox is bringing Rekha and Muzaffar Ali's 1981 classic 'Umrao Jaan' back to the country's theaters in a 4K restoration beginning June 27. The film, starring Rekha in her Indian National Film Award-winning performance as a courtesan-poetess in 19th-century Lucknow, has been restored by the National Film Development Corporation-National Film Archive of India under the National Film Heritage Mission. The restoration was supervised by director Ali himself, working from a 35mm release print preserved at the NFAI after original negatives proved too fragile. Ali is also releasing a limited-edition coffee table book featuring behind-the-scenes photographs and production materials. More from Variety 'Nine Puzzles' Becomes Disney+'s Most-Watched Korean Series of 2025 - Global Bulletin Diane Kruger Brings Beloved 'Bluey' Stories to German Audiences - Global Bulletin Disney+ Scores UEFA Women's Champions League Rights in Five-Year European Deal - Global Bulletin ''Umrao Jaan' was not just a film — it was a journey into the soul of a lost culture,' Ali reflected. Rekha added that the character 'lives within me, breathes through me, even now.' The re-release is part of PVR Inox's Timeless Classics initiative, celebrating landmark Indian cinema. Nippon TV has launched Gyokuro Studio in Tokyo and Nippon TV LA Business Office to accelerate international expansion. The Tokyo-based Gyokuro Studio, headed by Kenichiro Akiyama, aims to develop 10 unscripted titles annually, reaching 100 titles over 10 years through global co-creation with top talent and production houses. Meanwhile, Tom Miyauchi will lead the Los Angeles hub focusing on North American and LATAM content sales, IP distribution, and local production partnerships. The Japan entertainment powerhouse, which owns nearly 90% of its content IP and streaming giant Hulu Japan, seeks to build sustainable global presence beyond its Emmy-winning 'Dragons' Den'/'Shark Tank' format success. Award-winning Indian documentary 'Turtle Walker,' directed by Taira Malaney, will screen at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, June 9-13. The Tiger Baby and Emaho Films production, made with HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, follows sea turtle conservationist Satish Bhaskar's journey along India's coastlines in the late 1970s. The film won the Grand Teton Award at Jackson Wild Media Awards and premiered at Doc NYC in November 2024. ''Turtle Walker' is a quintessential Indian story focused on the wildlife of our country,' said producer Zoya Akhtar. The international co-production aims to inspire marine conservation efforts globally. Best of Variety What's Coming to Netflix in June 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts?
Mint
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
‘Nine Puzzles' becomes Disney+'s most-watched Korean series of 2025 within 9 days after its global premiere
Disney+ has announced that its latest Korean drama 'Nine Puzzles' has become the platform's most-watched Korean series globally in 2025. The gripping crime thriller reached this milestone just nine days after its debut on May 21. Starring 'The Witch's Kim Dami as Yoon E-na, 'Nine Puzzles' follows the story of a young woman whose life was changed by a shocking murder. As a high school student, E-na discovered her uncle's lifeless body at home, with a strange puzzle piece lying next to him. With no memory of how she got there, and being the only witness, she quickly became the prime suspect. Ten years later, E-na has transformed into a skilled criminal profiler working for the Seoul Metropolitan Police. But the trauma of her uncle's unsolved case still haunts her. When a new string of murders emerges—each one marked by the same type of puzzle piece—E-na is pulled back into the past. She must now work alongside Detective Kim Han-saem, played by 'My Liberation Notes' Son Sukku, who originally led the investigation into her uncle's death and still quietly questions her innocence. Directed by Yoon Jongbin and written by Lee Eunmi, the show features a strong supporting cast including Kim Sungkyun and Hyun Bongsik. 'Nine Puzzles' joins a growing list of Korean titles on Disney+, such as 'Unmasked' and 'Hyper Knife'. Upcoming releases include 'Low Life', a treasure-hunting adventure starring Ryu Seungryong, and 'Tempest', an international thriller featuring Gang Dongwon and John Cho. Another K-drama that is all set to be streamed on Disney+ in the second half of the year is 'The Manipulated'. Starring Ji Changwook and Do Kyungsoo, the release date of this show is yet to be announced. The series has captivated audiences with its suspenseful plot, emotional depth, and standout performances—making it a standout hit in Disney+'s global line-up.
