Ji Chang Wook is stepping into one of his most intense and emotionally charged roles yet in the Disney+ original series The Manipulated, set to premiere on November 5.
Known for his versatility across genres—from heart-fluttering romance to gritty crime dramas—the actor now delivers a raw, visceral performance as Park Tae-joong, a man whose life shatters after he becomes the victim of a cruel conspiracy.
At first glance, Tae-joong seems like any other young man with modest dreams. He works diligently and cherishes simple ambitions—his biggest goal being to open a small garden café in the city where he can live peacefully. But his world crumbles overnight when he is wrongfully accused of a violent crime and thrown into prison. The injustice not only strips him of his freedom but also destroys his trust in people and society.
Inside prison walls, Tae-joong endures unbearable humiliation and despair, but amid the darkness, he learns a horrifying truth—his downfall was meticulously planned. The mastermind behind it all is Yohan (Do Kyung-soo), a man who seems to have orchestrated every twist of fate that ruined Tae-joong’s life. Fueled by grief and fury, Tae-joong vows to take everything back and make Yohan pay. What follows is a tense, emotionally layered story of survival, vengeance, and transformation, where justice and morality blur with every step Tae-joong takes toward retribution.
The released stills from the series powerfully capture Tae-joong’s evolution—from a bright, hopeful young man lovingly tending plants and sketching café designs, to a haunted prisoner whose gaze burns with rage and despair. His once-soft features harden into those of a man reborn through pain, promising a tour de force performance from Ji Chang-wook.
In an interview, Ji shared insight into his approach to the character:
“Tae-joong is a man who runs forward with only one thing in mind—revenge. I approached him as someone undergoing multiple stages of transformation. Viewers will be able to see how he becomes stronger, more determined, and ultimately more dangerous as he pursues vengeance.”
Director Park Shin-woo, celebrated for works like It’s Okay to Not Be Okay and Lovestruck in the City, praised Ji’s intensity and emotional precision:
“Ji Chang-wook added extraordinary realism to the role with his passion and energy. He doesn’t just act—he breathes life into the character. I believe there will come a time when we can call Ji Chang-wook a genre in himself.”
Adding even more anticipation is Do Kyung-soo (D.O.), who takes on his first full-fledged villain role as Yohan, marking a striking transformation from his past performances. His chilling charisma and psychological depth are expected to create a powerful dynamic with Ji Chang-wook’s relentless Tae-joong. The drama also features a strong supporting cast, including Kim Jong-soo, Jo Yoon-soo, and Lee Kwang-soo, each contributing to the intricate web of deceit, loyalty, and revenge that drives the narrative.
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Behind the story is Oh Sang-ho, the screenwriter of the acclaimed Taxi Driver series, known for his masterful blend of sharp storytelling, emotional weight, and morally complex themes. His involvement ensures that The Manipulated will not only deliver thrilling action but also probe deeply into questions of justice, humanity, and the price of vengeance.
With a total of 12 episodes, Disney+ will release the first four episodes on Wednesday, November 5, followed by two episodes every week. The series promises an immersive experience filled with explosive confrontations, psychological warfare, and emotional depth.
For Ji Chang-wook, who has consistently expanded his acting range in projects like The Worst Evil, Lovestruck in the City, and Welcome to Samdalri, The Manipulated represents yet another bold step forward. It’s not just a revenge drama—it’s the story of a man stripped of everything, forced to rebuild himself piece by piece in a city that mirrors his own brokenness.
Featuring high-stakes narrative, top-tier cast, and cinematic direction, The Manipulated is already one of the most anticipated K-dramas of the year. Audiences can expect a gripping ride filled with emotional intensity, moral ambiguity, and a haunting exploration of how far one man will go when everything he loved has been destroyed.
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