Ji Chang Wook is stepping back into the world of revenge and deceit with Disney+’s upcoming thriller The Manipulated, a television reimagining inspired by the 2017 box-office hit Fabricated City.
The series marks the reunion of Ji Chang Wook and acclaimed director Park Shin Woo, known for his psychological storytelling and cinematic visuals. This time, the actor once again takes on the role of a man consumed by vengeance, blurring the lines between justice and obsession.
The story follows Tae-joong (Ji Chang Wook), an ordinary man whose life spirals into chaos after he is wrongfully accused of a brutal crime. Upon uncovering that the setup was meticulously orchestrated by Yo-han (Do Kyung Soo), Tae-joong embarks on a dangerous journey of revenge against the man who destroyed his life.
At the Seoul press conference for the drama, director Park Shin Woo explained why he chose to work with Ji Chang Wook again: “As soon as the idea of adapting the movie into a series came up, Ji Chang Wook immediately expressed interest—even before the script was finished. He waited patiently for the project to take shape, and his dedication made it natural for me to cast him.”
Park further noted that the television format allowed for deeper emotional exploration compared to the film: “The Manipulated is structured in two-episode arcs designed to keep viewers hooked. The extended runtime lets us dive deeper into each character’s psyche and the escalating tension between them.”
Ji Chang Wook, meanwhile, shared that he intentionally approached Tae-joong from a fresh perspective: “I didn’t try to connect this role to Fabricated City. Rather than emphasizing complexity, I wanted to express Tae-joong’s emotions in the rawest way possible—so that viewers could feel his fear, anger, and desperation with him.”
The series also introduces Do Kyung Soo in his first-ever villain role as Yo-han, a sculptor with a dark and obsessive mind. “To capture his psychological instability, I kept changing my hair constantly—so much that it ended up damaging my real hair,” the EXO member revealed.
Director Park promised that The Manipulated will deliver both high-intensity action and deep emotional impact. From visceral hand-to-hand combat scenes to breathtaking wall-riding motorcycle chases, each sequence is designed to immerse viewers in the gripping showdown between Tae-joong and Yo-han.
Comprising 12 episodes, The Manipulated will premiere with its first four episodes on November 5 on Disney+, followed by four new episodes released weekly.
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