What would you do if you woke up in prison? Your life and freedom—gone. Someone even stole your identity. You’re accused of a crime you didn’t commit, manipulated by someone who treats people like chess pieces. That’s the nightmare facing Park Tae-joong in 2025’s most anticipated November K-drama, “The Manipulated.” Here’s everything you need to know about this blood-pumping revenge thriller.
“The Manipulated” (조각도시) Korean Drama 2025
The new Korean drama “The Manipulated” is a revenge story that hits different. The story follows an ordinary man whose life is destroyed by someone playing a puppet master from the shadows. What makes it special is how it asks a question we’ve all thought about: what would you do if someone stole your entire existence?
When Ordinary Life Turns into Hell
Park Tae-joong lives a simple, ordinary life. One day, his life changes drastically. False murder charges send him to prison. His freedom disappears. His dignity crumbles. Everything he built vanishes in an instant.
Behind bars, Tae-joong finds the truth. His destroyed life wasn’t an accident. Someone has turned his life into a twisted game.
It was An Yo-han who made it happen. This ruthless man planned each step carefully. He broke Tae-joong apart slowly, and nothing about it was random.
Tae-joong stops being innocent. He transforms from a well-mannered man into someone consumed by one goal: revenge. The series explores how far a man will go to reclaim his life and exact retribution.
The official tagline sends shivers down your spine: “The day his life was shattered, the race began. You too can be shattered!” It’s a reminder that any of us could become someone else’s pawn tomorrow.
Star Power: Meet the Cast and Their Characters
Ji Chang-wook as Park Tae-joong
Ji Chang-wook is renowned for action-packed roles in dramas like “Healer” and “The K2,” as well as the film “Fabricated City” (2017), which inspired this series. His role in the upcoming show takes him further.
Tae-joong is an ordinary man whose life is destroyed when he is falsely accused of murder and imprisoned. When he finds out that his doom was staged by Yo-han, he transforms into a merciless force driven by revenge. His proven martial arts skills and emotional depth promise a tour-de-force performance.
Doh Kyung-soo (D.O.) as An Yo-han
In the show, D.O. plays a full villain role as an adult for the first time. Remember him from “100 Days My Prince” and “The Moon”? Then, you won’t see his gentle face in his new series. The sweetness turns into calm, manipulative, and vicious. He destroys lives as if it were a game. However, everyone is excited to watch his transformation from a gentle man into An Yo-han, the manipulator.
Lee Kwang-soo as Baek Do-kyung
The “Running Man” favorite brings something different here. His role is still a mystery. But knowing Lee Kwang-soo, will he add humor when the story gets intense, or will he be as cold as his role in “Karma”?
Jo Yoon-su as No Eun-bi
Jo Yoon-su—the actress people can’t stop talking about—teams up with Tae-joong. She changes the dynamic completely and might add romance to what starts as pure revenge.
Kim Jong-soo plays Noh Yong-sik
Noh Yong-sik is Tae-joong’s savior and steadfast supporter. He meets Tae-joong in prison and feels a deep empathy toward him, as if seeing his own past reflected in Tae-joong’s situation. He becomes instrumental in helping Tae-joong rise again and assists him with his revenge mission.
Behind the Scenes: Production Excellence
“The Manipulated” has real talent behind it. Writer Oh Sang-ho, known for his work on “Taxi Driver” and “The Outlaws 4,” penned the script. He’s working with Ji Chang-wook again, following their collaboration in the 2017 film “Fabricated City.”
That film actually sparked the idea for this series. He writes tight stories that make you think. His plots move fast, but they always ask difficult questions about right and wrong. You’ll get thrills and something that sticks with you afterward.
Directors Park Shin-woo (“The Killing Vote”) and Kim Chang-ju (“Amazon Bullseye”) helmed this project backed by powerhouse production companies Studio Dragon, Simplex Films, and CJ ENM.
With a staggering budget of ₩35 billion (~$26 million USD), “The Manipulated” is among the most expensive Korean streaming dramas of 2025. The series promises cinematic-quality action sequences, stunning visuals, and production values that rival Hollywood blockbusters.
This investment shows in every frame—from intricate fight choreography to psychological tension that keeps viewers guessing. The creative team promises “a feast for the eyes” that honors the revenge thriller genre while pushing boundaries.
When and Where to Watch
- Premiere Date: November 5, 2025
- Platform: Disney+ (Hulu on Disney+ label)
The series premieres with a binge-friendly format. The first four episodes will be released simultaneously. Two new episodes will come out on Wednesday through December 3.
Release Schedule in November:
- Episodes 1-4: November 5, 2025
- Episodes 5-6: November 12, 2025
- Episodes 7-8: November 19, 2025
- Episodes 9-10: November 26, 2025
- Episodes 11-12: December 3, 2025
Why You Can’t Miss This Series
D.O.’s Villain Transformation
From an actor with a gentle portrayal, then turning to darkness, it is a must-see. Early promotional materials show him radiating calculated menace—a shocking departure that proves his versatility. While he briefly played a teenage villain in Hello Monster, this marks his first time carrying a villain role as an adult character. It’s bold. It’s risky. And if his film work in The Moon taught us anything, he’s got the range to pull it off.
Watching the typically gentle actor embrace darkness represents a career pivot that is a must-see. Early promotional materials show him radiating calculated menace—a shocking departure that proves his versatility.
Star-Studded Cast
Ji Chang-wook plays the action hero while D.O. embodies the psychological villain. Their opposing styles create real tension. Lee Kwang-soo adds his signature comedy, and Jo Yoon-su (who’s becoming a name to watch) brings depth to the story beyond just the main conflict.
Reunion Magic
Ji Chang-wook and writer Oh Sang-ho previously worked together on “Fabricated City.” Now they have more time to develop their characters. If you’ve watched their stunning film, you can expect more in the series.
Action Meets Psychology
This isn’t just fights and explosions. Those exist, sure. But the real battle happens mentally. Watching Tae-joong and Yo-han outsmart each other while fighting? Action lovers and thriller fans both win.
It Feels Real
Wrongful imprisonment. Broken systems. Conspiracies. These resonate with many people today. The show entertains you. But it also makes you think about justice and power.
Production Values
That ₩35 billion budget creates spectacular stunts, atmospheric cinematography, and immersive world-building that rivals that of feature films.
Get Ready for Revenge
“The Manipulated” premieres on Disney+ on November 5. This is the revenge thriller that everyone will watch in 2025. Maybe you love Ji Chang-wook’s action. Maybe D.O.’s villain role caught your attention. Perhaps you enjoy Oh Sang-ho’s writing. Or maybe you’re looking for something thrilling. Whatever brought you here, this show delivers.
So here’s the real question: if your life was stolen, your name destroyed, your freedom ripped away, how far would you go to take it back? Please let us know in the comments.
In the meantime, watch the thrilling trailer for the Korean drama “The Manipulated” below.
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