I-na Arrested as the Puzzle Deepens in Nine Puzzles Episode 7

Nine Puzzles Episode 7 dives deeper into its labyrinthine mystery as I-na and Han-saem uncover new connections between the past and present murders. The episode begins with a shocking discovery: Yoon-su owned thirteen apartments in The One City complex, twelve of which he gave to family members, while the thirteenth, Unit 5802, was transferred to Chi-mok and then to Mi-young. With no incidents recorded at the property, I-na and Han-saem suspect it was a reward for a crime — one possibly covered up by Dong-hoon.

The puzzle pieces hint at each individual’s guilt: Dong-hoon shoots a doll, Mi-young whispers to a girl, Chi-mok dances with an armband, and Yoon-su crushes a sandcastle. Despite hitting a wall, the two detectives keep digging. After a minor argument, Han-saem seeks insight from Dong-su about Dong-hoon’s character. Dong-su praises Dong-hoon but says he became a scapegoat in the Jungbu serial murder case. Meanwhile, I-na opens up in therapy, admitting she once chose to forget her uncle’s murder out of fear.

After her session, I-na runs into Sergeant Nam, who confesses her guilt over Mi-young’s death. She believes Mi-young’s reckless driving was a cry for help. Meanwhile, Han-saem questions I-na’s ability to profile her uncle without bias, even as he himself must face his belief that Captain Yang is innocent. Dong-su and Chief Hyun also discuss Dong-hoon’s demise and Han-saem’s sudden interest in it.

A major lead comes when Han-saem finds the Myungsung Daily defamation case, linked to the brother of the Jungbu killer’s last victim. Dong-hoon had dismissed the case three months before his death. When they meet the plaintiff, he reveals that the reporter, Lee Gang-hyun, falsely accused his sister of being an escort and later committed suicide. The twist? Lee Gang-hyun is actually the puzzle killer’s first victim.

Han-saem informs Captain Yang, who warns him not to trust I-na. Chief Hyun demands answers but agrees to wait for proof. As Han-saem follows up on the case, I-na finds a puzzle piece depicting a man with sewn eyes holding a camera — another symbolic clue. Yang tracks down Choi San, who finds CCTV footage behind the Griffin Bar, but grows evasive when asked about the missing handkerchief.

Eventually, Han-saem confronts Yang, accusing him of being the killer’s accomplice. Yang confesses that he had been transferred by Dong-hoon while investigating Lee Gang-hyun’s case — all because I-na was present that night. CCTV shows her leaving the scene at 12:23 a.m., after visiting the rooftop at 11 p.m., leaving her without an alibi.

In a flashback, I-na recalls a drunken Gang-hyun speaking with Cheol-jin, then going to the rooftop for air. She also sees a man enter the building later that night. Han-saem confronts her about her involvement, and she counters by pointing out Yang’s silence about his own connections. She then gives Han-saem a choice: trust her or trust Yang.

The next day, I-na travels to Jeju to question Cheol-jin, an old friend of Dong-hoon. When she brings up Lee Gang-hyun’s death, his demeanor darkens ominously. Later, Han-saem, concerned about her safety, checks in on her — only to learn she’s been arrested for murder.

Nine Puzzles Episode 7 ends with a chilling scene: I-na, pulling a drowned Cheol-jin’s body from the water, is spotted by a dockyard worker. The puzzle may be clearer, but I-na is now at the center of it.