Disney+ is gearing up to unveil its newest original action drama The Manipulated, a high-octane revenge story led by Ji Chang Wook and Doh Kyung Soo.
The series kicks off on November 5 with four episodes, followed by two episodes released weekly, totaling 12 gripping installments.
In The Manipulated, Ji Chang Wook portrays Tae-joong, an ordinary man whose peaceful life is shattered when he is unjustly framed for a horrific crime and thrown behind bars. In prison, he discovers that his downfall was carefully orchestrated by Yohan (Doh Kyung Soo), a calculating mastermind who pulls the strings from the shadows. Consumed by rage, Tae-joong embarks on a relentless quest for revenge, setting the stage for an explosive clash between victim and villain.
The newly released stills highlight the drama’s intensity and intrigue. One shows Tae-joong being suddenly dragged away by police, his bewilderment hinting at the storm about to upend his life. Another captures Yohan’s chillingly cold gaze toward a weeping statue, signaling the subtle menace of the villainous role Do Kyung-soo is stepping into for the first time. Tae-joong’s own journey behind bars introduces him to Noh Yong-sik (Kim Jong-soo), a prison benefactor who becomes a crucial figure in his survival. Alongside him is Noh Eun-bi (Cho Yoon-soo), Yong-sik’s daughter, whose fierce motorcycle-riding image teases her role as Tae-joong’s trusted ally.
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Adding to the intrigue is Do-kyung (Lee Kwang Soo), one of Yohan’s powerful VIP clients. A still of him sipping whiskey with ease portrays a character who wields both wealth and influence, promising another unforgettable transformation from Lee Kwang-soo. Meanwhile, Yohan is seen walking through a stark white room lined with countless CCTV monitors—a haunting image that suggests his omnipresent surveillance and carefully crafted schemes.
The production team teases adrenaline-pumping action at every turn, including high-speed car chases, hand-to-hand combat, and a string of unpredictable twists. Ji Chang-wook described the series as “a very light-hearted revenge drama I haven’t encountered in a long time, filled with diverse elements to enjoy,” while Do Kyung-soo highlighted “the distinct characters, rapid development, and dopamine-charged action scenes” as reasons viewers won’t be able to look away.
The Manipulated brings together a powerhouse cast—Ji Chang-wook’s burning intensity as a wronged man seeking justice, Do Kyung-soo’s chilling reinvention as a villain, the gravitas of Kim Jong-soo, the fresh energy of Cho Yoon-soo, and Lee Kwang-soo’s dynamic transformation. Backed by Oh Sang-ho, acclaimed writer of the hit Taxi Driver series, the drama promises a perfect blend of tightly woven storytelling and adrenaline-fueled spectacle.
Featuring a mix of cathartic action, layered characters, and unpredictable confrontations, The Manipulated is set to capture global audiences as one of Disney+’s most thrilling offerings this year.