Latest news with #profiling
Forbes
6 days ago
- 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.
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Young Aussie mum calls out her local Bunnings for 'targeted' move in store
A young Aussie mum claims she was followed around her local Bunnings by security because of her extensive tattoos - prompting the hardware giant to respond to accusations it 'profiles' its customers. Madeline Wood, 31, said she had gone to the hardware store to replace some light globes and had brought the old ones with her in a bag. The young mum claims she was singled out and followed by a staff member wearing an earpiece because her arm and leg tattoos were showing. 'I've got (ear) stretches, it's hot today so the tattoos on my legs are showing, and I was obviously profiled,' Ms Wood claimed in a TikTok video. 'I work in retail management. The business I work for has undercover loss prevention officers... I understand their role and I understand what they look like. 'This one guy has his earpiece in or his AirPods. It's normal for them to be on the floor, the people on the cameras are telling them who to look at because they think that they're stealing. 'I had my light globes out, I was checking the boxes to make sure they're the same ones. Then I had to find some heat lamps and went to ask someone for those cause I couldn't find them. 'I then went back to the aisle and I saw the loss prevention guy looking at all the light globes that I had been touching, probably trying to assess whether or not I had swapped my ones over, or if I had stolen some, I don't know.' @_madelinewood Massive rant so hold on 2x speed but I'm so sick of being followed around retail stores by security just because of the way that I look! Anyone else have this happen or am I just the lucky one? #rant #bunnings #theft #fyp #aussiemum #momlife #mumsoftiktok ♬ original sound - _madelinewood Ms Wood said she learned in her role in retail management that offering to help customers often deterred would-be thieves while it also boosted customer service. She said the experience was even more infuriating because she spotted two customers pocketing items as as she was leaving the store, noting: 'That undercover could have been watching for that instead of watching me'. Ms Wood's video garnered a flood of comments from Aussies saying they have had a similar experience in their local Bunnings. 'They do this to me, I have tattoos, coloured streaks in my hair and eyeliner. I also manage in retail and the people who actually steal never get watched,' one said. 'In Coles the other week, a guy was literally following me down every single aisle, I get you have a job to do, but it made me feel like I was doing something wrong,' another said. 'I own a security company and even I get followed in a couple shops,' a third said. Another suggested Ms Wood should 'make a complaint' as they had once had a security guard 'rip' a trolley put of their hands. 'Needless to say she doesn't work at that Coles anymore,' they said. Bunnings has insisted it does not profile customers. 'Creating a safe and welcoming environment for our team and customers is important to us, and this is reflected in the diversity of our team,' Bunnings Director of Stores, Rod Caust, told Daily Mail Australia. 'Like many retailers, we sometimes have loss prevention contractors in our stores who are engaged through an external licensed provider and are trained in monitoring customer behaviour. 'Discrimination and profiling have no place in our business and are not part of our loss prevention practices. 'All team members and security personnel receive rigorous, regularly reviewed training focused on safety, legal responsibilities, and respectful engagement — not appearance, background or personal characteristics.'
