Park Tae Joong lives a quiet life. He works, loves, and stays away from trouble. Then one day, everything collapses. He is framed for a brutal crime he never committed. He is dragged into prison. The world he knew vanishes. What looks like fate turns out to be a trap.
The man behind it all is Ahn Yo Han. He is not a random enemy. Tae Joong is a cold manipulator who enjoys shaping destruction. He carves out pain in people’s lives like an artist.
Tae Joong becomes his latest victim. For Yo Han, it is just another cruel design. For Tae Joong, it is the start of ruin.
Prison is supposed to break him. Instead, it hardens him. Tae Joong survives every blow, every humiliation. When he finally gets out, he has nothing left to lose.
He has only one purpose. He wants revenge. The fight between them begins not with fists, but with the mind. Each move is a step in a dangerous game. Each step pulls them deeper into a storm of violence and betrayal.
This is not just about revenge. It is about survival. Tae Joong wants to destroy the man who stole his life. Yo Han wants to keep control, to keep playing with him like a toy. The story becomes a battle of will, a chase where both predator and prey keep switching places.
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A Dark Thriller Backed by Big Names
The drama, titled The Manipulated, is set to premiere on November 5, 2025, exclusively on Disney+ and Disney+ Hotstar worldwide.
The launch will drop four episodes on day one, followed by two episodes weekly until all 12 are released. This structure ensures the show stays in conversation for weeks.
The production is heavy. It cost around 35 billion won to make. Disney+ worked with CJ ENM, Studio Dragon, and Simplex Films. Studio Dragon’s track record is filled with global hits like Crash Landing on You and Sweet Home. The weight of that history adds pressure. People expect something bold.
The writing is led by Oh Sang-ho. He made his name with Taxi Driver and the film The Roundup: Punishment. Both projects showed his grip on revenge stories.
Directing is in the hands of Park Shin-woo, who worked on It’s Okay to Not Be Okay and Encounter, and Kim Chang-ju. Together, they blend psychological detail with cinematic action.
Cast
Casting is another key point. Ji Chang-wook takes on Tae Joong. His comment on the show makes it sound like something different from his past roles. He calls it “refreshing” and says the variety of action is worth attention.
Doh Kyung-soo plays Yo Han. This is his first time playing a full villain. Fans know him as a singer and actor, but not as someone who embodies pure cruelty. That alone raises curiosity. He said the script was fast-paced and full of energy. His excitement adds weight to the project.
The supporting cast includes Lee Kwang-soo as Baek Do Kyung, a man with secrets tied to the main conflict. Jo Yoon-soo plays No Eun Bi, who stands by Tae Joong as an ally.
Pyo Ye-jin appears as Tae Joong’s love interest. Yang Dong Geun, Jung Heon, and Kim Jong-soo join in smaller but important roles. Each one adds to the twisted world where betrayal and truth blur.
The teaser poster released in September 2025 hints at tone. It shows darkness, faces half-hidden, and a sharp line between hunter and hunted. Nothing feels safe.
The name change from Sculpture City to The Manipulated also signals its intent. It is not subtle. It wants to sound sharp, violent, and direct.
The development timeline shows how long this project has been brewing. Ji Chang-wook and Doh Kyung-soo were confirmed back in November 2023. Jo Yoon-soo’s casting followed in September 2024.
Then Pyo Ye-jin in October, and Lee Kwang-soo in November. Each new name kept attention alive. In May 2025, Disney+ highlighted the drama at its open house event in Seoul. By September, the official poster locked in the global premiere.
Where To Watch ‘The Manipulated’ K-Drama?
- Episodes: 12
- Airs: Nov 5, 2025 – Dec 3, 2025
- Airs On: Wednesday
Episode Schedule:
- Episode 1 – November 5 (Wednesday)
- Episode 2 – November 5 (Wednesday)
- Episode 3 – November 5 (Wednesday)
- Episode 4 – November 5 (Wednesday)
- Episode 5 – November 12 (Wednesday)
- Episode 6 – November 12 (Wednesday)
- Episode 7 – November 19 (Wednesday)
- Episode 8 – November 19 (Wednesday)
- Episode 9 – November 26 (Wednesday)
- Episode 10 – November 26 (Wednesday)
- Episode 11 – December 3 (Wednesday)
- Episode 12 – December 3 (Wednesday)
Schedule Timings
The drama releases at 4:00 PM KST on Disney+. Here's your timezone schedule:
💡 Tip: KST is 9 hours ahead of GMT. Use this to estimate future air times!
There is a clear push here. Disney+ wants this drama to be one of its flagship Korean originals for late 2025. That is why the budget is huge, why the cast is loaded, and why the tone leans so heavy on psychological tension.
The platform has been chasing global attention with Korean dramas. This show fits that plan.
Still, there are doubts. Revenge dramas can fall into repetition. If every episode turns into another cycle of chase and fight, the show could lose steam. Viewers expect more than blood and screaming.
Clash of Power and Survival
They expect insight, depth, and unpredictability. Ji Chang-wook has played revenge roles before. Doh Kyung-soo has acted in thrillers. The challenge here is to make this clash feel fresh.
Another risk is the pacing. With 12 episodes, the series could either stay tight or stretch thin. Four episodes at launch may excite fans but also burn through tension too quickly. Two episodes a week can help recover that, but it depends on how each cliffhanger lands.
Yet, the potential is high. The pairing of Ji Chang-wook and Doh Kyung-soo is rare. Their energy is different. One plays the broken man fighting to rebuild his life.
The other plays a villain without guilt. Their collision is the core. If their performances land, the drama may stand out as one of the strongest thrillers of the year.
In the end, The Manipulated kdrama looks less like a standard revenge story and more like a test of endurance. It asks how far a man can go when stripped of everything. It asks how much control another man can hold before it all snaps, it is not just about crime, it is about power, manipulation, and survival in a world where mercy does not exist.
Countdown For The Manipulated
How Does this Article Make You Feel?
Kavita Mishra is a dynamic writer and passionate Korean entertainment enthusiast, combining her love for K-pop and K-drama with a flair for storytelling. With a keen eye for the latest trends, Kavita crafts articles that capture the pulse of K-pop idols, chart-topping hits, and the most buzz-worthy dramas taking over screens worldwide.
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