Disney+’s upcoming thriller drama The Manipulated dives into a dark world where lives are stolen, truth is twisted, and survival becomes a game of manipulation. During the press conference that happened on 3 November, the casts together with Director Park Sinwoo showed up to give us more insights about the much anticipated drama.
A Story of a Man Framed and Broken
Ji Chang-wook stars as Park Taejoong, an ordinary, kind-hearted man whose life turns upside down after he is framed for a heinous crime. Taejoong once dreamed of opening a small café, but his simple life collapses overnight.
Ji Chang-wook shared that rather than focusing solely on Taejoong’s personality, he worked to mold himself into the situation that Taejoong is in, constantly adapting to the character’s pain and confusion. “That was my biggest homework,” he said.
D.O.’s First Villain Role
Doh Kyung-soo (D.O.) takes on his first-ever villain role as Ahn Yohan, a master manipulator with unlimited funds and technology at his disposal. He frames innocent people for his VIP clients’ crimes. Determined to create a chilling presence, Kyung-soo spent hours discussing the look and feel of the character with the wardrobe team. He also studied documentaries and true-crime shows to capture the eerie psychology of sociopaths.
Allies and Redemption
Kim Jong-soo plays a prisoner who once wanted to give up on life but finds purpose in saving Taejoong. Working as an altar server in prison, he sees Taejoong’s despair mirroring his own past and, in helping him, begins to heal himself. Having worked together in past projects, Ji Chang-wook mentioned that Kim Jong-soo became his “moral support” on set, and he requested for Kim Jong-soo to stay with him even after his scenes havee ended.
Complicated Family Ties
Jo Yoon-su plays Eunbi, Jong-soo’s daughter. Eunbi is sharp-tongued and distant, with a strained relationship with her father. Beneath her tough exterior, however, she is childlike and tender, especially when she begins interacting with Taejoong, who brings out her softer side.
The Power Players
Lee Kwang-soo takes on the role of a man with both immense wealth and influence. He admitted that when he first read the script, he “spat at it” out of disgust for how terrible the character was, calling him arrogant and infuriating. Yet, he channeled that hatred into his performance to make audiences truly despise the man.
This project reunites Kyung-soo and Kwang-soo, who are close friends off-screen. The two share great chemistry and deep mutual respect. Kyung-soo praised Kwang-soo for his professionalism and kindness on set, while Kwang-soo confessed that he initially felt shy acting opposite a close friend but quickly found comfort knowing he was “in good hands.”
Their on-screen rivalry is full of banter. Kwang-soo jokingly calls himself “the boss,” while Kyung-soo retorts that, in the story,Kwang-soo is actually beneath him. Their playful dynamic added tension and authenticity to their performances.
Action and Intensity
The series promises a wide variety of action sequences, each episode featuring different styles and settings. Ji Chang-wook performed many of his own stunts to ensure realism and energy, working closely with the martial arts director.
Kyung-soo’s approach to action is more psychological. His character doesn’t see others as human, and his fights are swift, brutal, and emotionless. He, too, collaborated extensively with the martial arts team to bring this chilling detachment to life.
When asked about what viewers can expect, Lee Kwang-soo gave a cheeky answer: “The chemistry between the actors? Ten billion points. This project is going to be hot and intense.”
We sure can’t wait for The Manipulated to be out on Disney+ on 5 November!
