Even Hollywood is laughing at this one
Nice setup, first 4 eps were mostly good but after that it turns into a complete garbage. It's been a while since I dropped a show but this one pissed me off to no end. As someone said the only thing this show tries to manipulate is its audience because it knows it's dumb as f***. Like how much plot armor can you use to hold this whole disaster together. Then squid games?!?! Even Hollywood B movies are laughing at this one. And what's up with making the Villain most cartoonish and annoying rage bait person ever only to not have a proper pay off/payback. Is this some sort of fetish in Korean dramas/cinema that's been on the rise lately? If you have a need to play out some power wet dream go direct some hate p***. If this is the sign of where Korean cinema is heading, it's looking very bleak. And cast a better Villain. The boy looks like he works in GS25.Was this review helpful to you?
It's not a Fabricated City remake, it's at best a re-imagined fanfic
As a Fabricated City enthusiast, I jumped in here with my giddy fanboy heart all agallop ready for this with trust, I mean JCW is reprising, what could possibly go wrong? Nothing did, BUT!This is not Fabricated City if that is what you came looking for like me, just think of it as a fanfic of the OG and lower your expectations hard.
That is not to say this one is without it's charm, it's really okay on its own but it's a complete polar opposite of the movie and the elements that made it a fan favourite. No gaming team, no Yeo-woora, DKS isn't the lawyer, instead he's some rich nepo baby with toys he uses to manipulate people I guess. Linking it to the OG was just for marketing at this point. Somehow this drama keeps reminding me of Big Mouth instead of FC actually.😂. Enjoy.
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drama yang sangat kesana kemari
Gue drop diepisod 6. Udh stengah jalan masih bertanya2 ini jd mo ada ceritanya apa kagak si, berasa nontonin filler lu tau ga si. Sangat lambat sangat ga penting, gak daging. Awalnya udah oke deh promising ada yang dijebak nih, tapi kok penyelesaian masalahnya sangat bertele tele?? sampe segala ada lomba2, ini mau nonjolin apanya? karakter villainnya? JCW plis segera main film action yang ceritanya bagus, tonjok2an doang tanpa ada cerita yg bagus = BORING. Pdahal castsnya bagus2 bgt, bener kata orang sangat wasted.Was this review helpful to you?
Best show ever
i have watched a lot of K Dramas and this is the best one iv watched so far..The storyline had you gripped ..The acting is just amazing .. The plot is stunning .. the fight choreography was amazing.. The only thing I can say which is not good is that there should have been a lot more episodes… and the other thing I could say which I would say is not very good is that the episodes are not long enough the only 45 minutes each that should’ve been well over our a hour which have got the story more complete ….hopefully they can make another season for this because they can delve into more of the main character …Definitely 10/10 for meWas this review helpful to you?
cant wait for season 2!!!
Everything started out being all sunshine and rainbow and then boom his life turned upside down.Episode 1 had me sat and I couldn’t wait for the next episode.
I really don’t get the girlfriend, homegirl was ready to give up...
Episode 2, Park Tae Jung went through hell. Felt so sorry for him but he started to gain some strength to fight back.
Fast forward, I like the friends we met during his time and that he could trust them.
Doh Kyung Soo played this villain role soooo good! Loved him in this.
Everyone in this drama deserves their flowers because their acting was so good.
I see we may get season 2....CANT WAIT
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One of the best K-drama 2025
The Manipulated is a finely crafted revenge thriller that excels in storytelling, atmosphere, and performance. The narrative unfolds at a deliberate pace, steadily building tension and drawing viewers into a world of psychological warfare, power struggles, and emotional trauma.Ji Chang Wook delivers an outstanding and deeply nuanced performance. His character is not portrayed as a flawless hero, but as a wounded and conflicted individual forced to evolve by unforgiving circumstances. Through restrained expressions, subtle emotional shifts, and realistic action sequences, his portrayal feels authentic and impactful.
One of the drama’s greatest strengths lies in its dark, grounded tone. Revenge is never glorified; every choice carries weight and consequence. The antagonist is intelligently written—calm, manipulative, and genuinely threatening—creating a compelling battle of minds rather than relying on exaggerated confrontation.
Overall, The Manipulated stands out as a powerful, high-quality thriller that leaves a lasting impression. It is ideal for viewers who appreciate dark, psychologically intense narratives with strong character development. From beginning to end, the drama remains gripping and rewarding.
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Manipulative He Was or Manipulative He Is?
If you know one, you recognise one for what he is. Gotta admit, he was a superb manipulater, but I don't think this is the end of it. They left that plot hole of a an evil woman, his "nanna", or better yet, if you don't remember the secret coming out at some point, his real mother, who happened to kill her son's leftover family after he was threatened with the herance at his parents memorial. And how did she cover it all up? A fire, just like in the end. So, yeah, I think she set the fire and saved her son, remember, he was still alive, and there's a possibility of a second season.If that's the case, they gave a little hint at the end, bring it on!
Congrats to everyone involved in this remake of Fabricated City (that was surprising!), picking it back up and, honestly, making it better than the original, which for me was poor and weak.
Awesome performances by both Ji Chang Wook as a neverending fighter for justice and Doh Kyung Soo, as one of the greatest villains. I mean, he really took that role seriously. Wow.
All in all, a crazy worthy addicting watch.
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“A dark, addictive thriller that keeps tightening its grip with every episode”
The Manipulated is a dark revenge thriller, fast paced, intense and very hard to stop watching. It’s the kind of drama where you keep saying “just one more episode” and suddenly hours are gone.The biggest highlight for me is the acting. Ji Chang Wook acting in this drama really strong. His performance feels raw and emotional not just action heavy. You can genuinely feel his anger, pain and desperation. D.O as The villain also adds an unsettling psychological tension that makes the story more interesting.
The story moves quickly with very little filler. There are lots of twists and mind games and the drama does a good job of keeping you on edge. The action scenes are solid but what really works is how they’re tied to the emotional weight of the story.
However, around the middle episodes the story slows down a bit. The plot doesn’t hit as hard as it does at the beginning and the intensity dips compared to those early episodes. It’s not boring but it does feel less gripping for a while like the drama is catching its breath before moving forward again.
Overall, The Manipulated is a dark and addictive watch. It’s not perfect and has some flaw but the strong performances and psychological tension make it worth sticking with. If you enjoy revenge thrillers and intense character driven stories this one is still a good pick.
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who is really being manipulated?
I didn't expect such an intensely emotional drama from the very first episode.Park Tae-jung (Ji Chang-wook), an ordinary, decent guy whose entire life is systematically destroyed when he is framed for a brutal crime he didn't commit.
An Yo-han (Do Kyung-soo) is chillingly effective as the cold, calculating villain-he's genuinely unsettling. The action sequences are slick and hard-hitting, but the real power comes from the psychological tension.
The storyline is intense, full of emotional twists, challenge, and moments that leave you speechless. Each episode builds on the last with smart writing and powerful direction, creating a thrilling journey that keeps you craving more.
It's darker and grittier than most K-dramas but that's what makes it stand out. You can tell the cast and crew gave everything to make this one unforgettable.
Although the tension drops a bit in the second part, it doesn't diminish its quality.
Definitely this Kdrama captures a layered story of vengeance, manipulation, and moral decay. This game cat-and-mouse story in which the line between truth and deception is blurred, where survival requires one to be stronger, but more so to become the very thing they despise.
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For action fans, this is your drama
This show is absolutely good compared to most of the dramas. The Acting and technology is way better. Ep 1-6 it is the best. Bt the rest felt some lacking. They focus more on villain side in later part and it is unnecessary and not interesting. It would be better if expose the way taejun seeking the revenge more cuz first few episodes really had it and it was so interesting.The Acting was top notch. Jichangwook as always nailed it and bro really deserve a baeksang award for that. DO is also nailed his villain role and every other actors literary brought their best performances. Watching their acting itself is making us happy.
Everyone needs to watch this because it is a drama that keep you at the edge and gave you quality entertainment. Specially if you are a fan of action genre, you should never miss this.
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Masterpice acting from JCW
I love the development of Tae Jung carachter till the end. The acting was masterpiece from JCW and DKS is a promising actor. He has good taste for villains.I watch this for JCW. He is so handsome and very talented. Hope to see him also in others genre of dramas.
Although, did not remain with nothing after. No insight, no learning, nothing emotional just fights and adrenaline, and the taste of revenge. What was the point ... i will never rematch because for me it was to much violence, and once is enough.
Wonder if people who like this kind of dramas see trough the lines see beyond the "movie" and understand that this is happening in real life too, maybe worse. I gave this high note just for acting.
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Must Watch - At least for the acting
The beginning was absolutely spot-on. I kept hoping nothing bad would happen to him, even though I knew he was going to get framed. It really had me hooked… right up until he escaped prison straight through the main gate. After that, the car chase and the whole survival-game vibe felt a bit off and kind of disconnected from the main plot.Acting-wise, everyone nailed their roles. JCW is always my number one, and D.O. and Kwangsoo were amazing too. Honestly, my first suspect was his girlfriend — but then she just disappeared from the story completely.
The ending didn’t feel very satisfying considering everything they went through. The villain was too good to be taken out that quickly. And Baek Do-kyung, who literally murdered so many people, just died like that?
Still, overall it’s a good series — definitely worth watching.
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