Prison arc is awesome, but followed by typical American style
From the very start, I was impressed, hooked, and so happy that this movie seemed to be living up to my high expectations—but I couldn't have been more wrong.Ji Chang Wook never disappoints. His acting was phenomenal, and to be honest, his performance is what carries the entire film. The first half—specifically the prison arc—was flawless. You feel so much empathy for Kwon Tae-jung as you watch all these horrific things happen to him. It was gritty, emotional, and perfectly paced.
However, after the "race" sequence, the story went downhill fast. It shifted from a grounded thriller to a typical, over-the-top American-style action movie. The "plot armor" became too much to ignore; Tae-jung would be lethally injured in one scene, only to appear perfectly healed in the next. It felt incredibly unrealistic and took me out of the story.
To make matters worse, the villain just did not fit. Their acting felt "off" and lacked the depth needed to match Ji Chang Wook’s intensity, which really ruined the experience for me. While the cinematography and the fight scenes were great, the side characters didn't add much value, and the script ultimately let the actors down. I really wish they had stayed with the darker, more serious tone of the prison chapters. It had so much potential, but it was ruined by a messy second half.
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A great action thriller, even though the ending could have been much better
Starring Ji Chang Wook, The Manipulated is an intense action thriller that centers around a man wrongfully accused of murder and who gets out to take revenge on the perpetrator.With 12 episodes, the series is tight, had a lot of action scenes and the pacing was very convincing. The characters could have been written more smartly, since a few of the characters (especially Tae Joong's friends) had no contribution to the story at all.
The action choreography were very good. The antagonist was way too overpowered and rich and the show failed to explore more of his past and how he became what he became.
The show takes a certain turn with the death racing game but it was not totally disappointing. The show focused too much only on the main character and his world, while keeping aside the side characters.
The finale was too crammed up, a lot of things happens in a span of 45 mins. There should have been atleast one more episode to have a proper ending. The ending though not disappointing, felt heavily tushed.
Overall, The Manipulated is a stylish action thriller that does many things right, if not all. And seeing Jichang Wook in action was genuinely refreshing. Not the best of the year, but definitely watchable drama.
My Rating : 8/10
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Wow. Intense.
The first word that comes to mind after finishing this drama is. WOW.I'm speechless.
Like dAmn!
First of all. This is my first time watching D.O. act. And I can't believe I watched his villain drama first.
I never expected that he would be the villain in this drama. I thought Chang Wook would team up with D.o. against the villain... but I guess..expect the unexpected.
I love the drama!
I wish it were 16 episodes so it gets more intense and that there's more detail towards the story.. and such.
I love the plot.
The settings. The actions. The revenge.. litrrally everything.
It's been a while since I last watched Ji Chang Wook. My last drama of his was the Samdari drama.
From being innocent. Trying to make a living to support himself and his brother... to being targeted as a suspect in a murder case.
And his ways of proving that he's innocent are such a motivational and inspiring act.
Life is hard. We may encounter obstacles, but I believe those struggles are what make us strong. The encounter may be brutal, but I believe God has better plans for us in the future.
What he experienced made him become a better person mentally and physically. Also spiritually strong.
Watching the last episode made me emotional in a way that... life is unknown.
We don't know our future. We don't know what's going to happen to us tomorrow. The next day and so on.
So.
We need to live in the dullest and enjoy every little thing.
His strength is so inspiring!
It's just a drama, but damn. This drama taught me to hold on regardless of what I face.
Keep going. Keep trying and have Faith. That's what he did. And the result. Was. Totally worth it.
This was such an amazing drama to watch!
Til next time.
129am
12-22-25
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This review may contain spoilers
An action-packed story with many twists, lovable characters, and a strong found-family dynamic!
A plot full of twists, turns, and plenty of action.The first chapters were absolutely amazing.
I feel that the pacing slowed down a bit midway through the story, but toward the end it picked up again, bringing back that sense of surprise and mystery.
The villain’s downfall didn’t feel fully satisfying to me; after everything they did, it felt like they deserved a different outcome.
I loved the characters and their found (or rediscovered) family dynamic.
Overall, definitely entertaining!
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Enjoyable to say the least.
Watched this mainly for Ji Chang Wook, seeing him back in action was so refreshing. The story was good but had some plot holes, and even as an action fan, I think they overdid it at times. Acting was top-notch. Ji Chang Wook delivered as always, but D.O truly surprised me, he absolutely nailed his role. Characters were okay, though some felt unnecessary. Production was amazing, and I loved that it didn’t bombard us with countless OSTs. Overall, I really enjoyed it and would definitely rewatch itWas this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Thrilling and adventurous, great watch for action lovers
PROS: Compelling plot, great acting, good directing. Ji Chang-wook was hot, as always, and Doh Kyung-soo exceeded my expectations.CONS: Barely passes the Bechdel test (if it even manages to). The girlfriend disappears completely from the plot, not that I blame her. Would have loved some more emphasis on Yo-han's upbringing, personality, and his relationship with his "nanny", but one can only do so much with the pathetically low amount of 12 episodes
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Disappointment..
Ok, when you see Ji Chang-wook as the main male lead in the cast, I personally thought it was a guarantee.But what can he do alone, a tragic script that touches on Americanism, a tangle without substance, it reminds so much of an American B-action movie that you doubt if it's a kdrama...The direction escaped us, the plot has gaps, one way to endure watching it is if you get carried away by Ji Chang-wook and think he can't act in such a meaningless and boring series.
You will be easily disappointed.
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This review may contain spoilers
Other side of Do Kyung Soo
OMG 😱 😱I didn’t expect this drama would be this crazy when I start watching!
I like Ji Chang Wook also Do Kyung Soo too…… but oh my god!
Ji Chang wook’s acting is fearless as usual, but Do Kyung Soo is in another level though👏👏
I’ve watched his 100days prince I thought he was handsome and gentle, but it is totally opposite in this drama, you can see or even feel his hidden talent which is he can be great villain 🦹♂️
Overall, the drama was over my expectation. Whenever i watch i always get goosebumps!!
and I am on 10th eps, only 2 more eps left. Can’t wait their last battle!
Highly recommend it for their fans!
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One of best in industry
Finally finished the drama and man what a ride that was. Acting of JCW and DO was really top notch and other actor also did great job. In mid the story become little bit slow but it's picked up it's pace very fast. Jcw should get the deasung for this performance look like season 2 will be happen in near future cause there are some unsolved question and in the last a hint was givenWas this review helpful to you?
A Great Watch That's Highly Entertaining
This is one of those rare dramas that got me hooked right from the opening and kept me curious and looking forward till the end. I like Fabricated City and apart from 1st 4 episodes that reminded me of the movie, the rest of the content were pretty fresh. Many scenes kept me at the edge of my seat. All the fights, the car chase, the flying bike, and the escape were executed too realistically. Before watching the show, I was wondering how PTJ is gonna exact his revenge on someone far more powerful than most people. But the writer accounted for those questions right from the start...his bike riding skills, his personal training in the prison and most importantly, how he's not someone who gives up easily. The villain honestly felt flat in the initial episodes but from episode 5 onwards, he started showing his true colors. To me, he's an interesting character because of how he was portrayed. He looks innocent and childlike outside but is really a psycho. I felt so nervous toward the end, wondering how PTJ is gonna defeat him. I don't like the nanny and found her acting over-the-top most of the time.Overall, the story makes me care about the characters and want to root for them. It lost some steam here and there by the end of the episodes, but is still satisfactory for me. Some viewers expect answers and a perfect closure for every area of PTJ's life, but I think the ending is realistic. Years have passed since he was incriminated so people have moved on and there are things that are better left unsaid. I am most grateful the writer did not turn the story toxic or makjang.
Highly recommended watch if you're into action thrillers and a fast-paced plot.
Also just want to add this news source about how The Manipulated contributed to the double digit growth of Disney+ last month: https://mobile.newsis.com/view/NISX20251203_0003427347#_endPass
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Ji Chang wook coked!!!
A Powerful, Gripping, Emotion-Charged TriumphThe Manipulated stands out as one of the most compelling psychological dramas of recent years, flawlessly blending suspense, emotion, and sharp social commentary into a story that lingers long after the credits roll. From its opening scene, the drama pulls the audience straight into a world where truth is fragile, trust is dangerous, and every character carries layers waiting to be uncovered. What makes The Manipulated exceptional is not just its story, but how intelligently and emotionally that story unfolds.
The plot revolves around an ordinary young woman whose life begins to spiral after she becomes entangled in a hidden web of lies, exploitation, and intentional psychological manipulation. Instead of relying on typical twists, the drama chooses a slower, more human approach—letting viewers experience confusion, doubt, fear, and hope alongside the protagonist. Every moment feels authentic, and every revelation hits with genuine impact.
The writing is one of the drama’s strongest elements. It treats its audience with respect, refusing to oversimplify complex themes like gaslighting, trauma, power imbalance, and emotional abuse. Yet it never becomes heavy-handed. Each episode builds naturally on the last, creating a story that feels both thrilling and painfully real. The dialogues are sharp, meaningful, and packed with subtle foreshadowing—rewarding attentive viewers without alienating casual ones.
Performance-wise, The Manipulated is an absolute showcase. The lead actress delivers a phenomenal portrayal of vulnerability and strength, effortlessly switching between quiet emotional breakdowns and moments of fierce resilience. Her journey feels personal and deeply human. The supporting cast is equally strong, especially the antagonist, whose controlled, chilling performance adds layers of depth to the drama’s exploration of manipulation. Even the minor characters feel substantial, contributing meaningfully to the emotional landscape of the story.
Visually, the drama is stunning. Cinematography plays a crucial role in shaping the tone—using muted colors, tight framing, and symbolic lighting to mirror the protagonist’s psychological state. The direction is confident and intentional, with every scene crafted to evoke feeling. Whether it’s the discomfort of a silent stare, the tension of a dimly lit room, or the relief of a small moment of peace, the visual storytelling consistently enhances the narrative.
The soundtrack deserves praise as well. Its emotionally charged score perfectly complements the story’s tension and heartbreak. Soft piano, haunting strings, and atmospheric background textures elevate key scenes without overpowering them. There are moments where the music alone deepens the impact of what’s happening on screen.
What truly makes The Manipulated special is its message. It’s not just a drama—it’s a mirror to the subtle forms of psychological harm that often go unnoticed. Yet the series never becomes hopeless. Instead, it champions survival, healing, and self-discovery. By the finale, viewers feel both emotionally exhausted and deeply satisfied.
In every way, The Manipulated is a must-watch—intelligent, heartfelt, beautifully acted, and unforgettable. It’s easily one of 2025’s finest dramas.
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