Disney+'s ambitious new Korean original series 'The Manipulated' is drawing explosive attention even before its release. Written by Oh Sang Ho, the mind behind 'Taxi Driver' and 'The Roundup: The punishment (The Roundup 4),' and starring Ji Chang Wook and Do Kyung Soo in a powerhouse double lead lieup, the series is already being hailed as a major upcoming hit.
Premiering November 5 on Disney+, 'The Manipulated' is an action revenge thriller following Tae Jung (played by Ji Chang Wook), a man wrongfully imprisoned who seeks vengeance against Ahn Yo Han (played by Do Kyung Soo), the person who destroyed his life. The story weaves together an intense psychological battle and explosive action between two men consumed by emotion, promising both cinematic quality and deep immersion.
Ji Chang Wook transforms into Tae Jung, a man whose life has been shattered into pieces. After losing everything overnight, he chooses extreme revenge to clear his name. Known for his wide acting range in dramas like 'Healer,' 'Melting Me Softly,' 'Lovestruck in the City,' and 'If You Wish Upon Me,' Ji Chang Wook is expected to deliver one of his most emotional and powerful performances yet — portraying rage, despair, and raw humanity at their peak.
Opposite him stands Do Kyung Soo, taking on his first-ever villain role in a full-scale acting transformation. His character, Ahn Yo Han, is a manipulative sculptor who controls and reshapes others’ lives at will. As a businessman running elite private security services for the top 1%, he orchestrates every incident from behind the scenes. Delighting in falsifying evidence and rearranging people’s lives, Yo Han is a mad, chilling villain — one perfectly matched to Do Kyung Soo’s cold, piercing gaze.
Recently released stills of Do Kyung Soo heightened anticipation further, showing him in a stark white room analyzing CCTV footage as he tracks a new target — a stark contrast to his usually warm image. Director Park Shin Woo commented, “Yo Han is pure evil. Do Kyung Soo’s clear eyes and innocent smile paradoxically amplify that darkness,” expressing full satisfaction with his casting. Do Kyung Soo shared, “It’s my first time playing a villain. Since Yo Han is meant to exude coldness, I spent a lot of time thinking about how to portray him authentically.”
The series is co-directed by Park Shin Woo (The Killing Vote) and Kim Chang Joo (Hard Hit, Amazon Bullseye). The duo’s mastery of the thriller genre, combined with Oh Sang Ho’s gripping storytelling, has reportedly created a dense and electrifying atmosphere unique to 'The Manipulated.'
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