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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the Chinese killer Chung-Ri
Do anyone knew who the actress is who plays the chinese-killer that works with An Yohan? She kinda steal the show when it comes to action after An Yohan who played by Kyungsoo. It says she goes by the name "Lee Hyun-jin" but when I searched her, no results aside from the actor who has the same stage name as her.Was this review helpful to you?
Chanwook Scofield becomes the Big Mouther of the Squid Game.
This is the action-packed story of Chanwook Scoffield, a man who decides to push past every limit he once thought impossible after being ruthlessly betrayed. Along the way, he gains both allies and enemies — some cheering for his rise, others determined to destroy him.Like the protagonist in Big Mouth, his true potential begins to surface only after being jailed and beaten by tough criminals. One by one, his hidden talents emerge, and his transformation from a naïve man to a sharp, strategic survivor becomes gripping to watch.
But just when things seem to settle, an unexpected twist pulls him into a deadly “squid game” created by a bored, brilliant villain. Now stronger, smarter, and far more dangerous than before, Chanwook faces his ultimate test. The stakes are higher, the tension sharper, and we can’t help but wait to see how this new version of him will play the game — and whether he’ll outsmart everyone watching.
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This review may contain spoilers
A masterpiece 10000/10
After a long time a k drama hit me too hard .Jcw is at his finest & exo did wonderful job
A total masterpiece with great direction & story that hooked you from 1st scene to last scene
Hosetly this show deserves much more ,only if they could have choose platform wisely then it is would have broke the records
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This review may contain spoilers
Just Awesome
Love Ji Chang Wook I don't feel he can go wrong when acing in a series But this series places him in another catagory altogether Gone the romantic lead in with a fantastic character actor This series isn't sugar coating anything It is Raw real and tragic so far I wait for the next episodes with anticipationWas this review helpful to you?
Good Drama
Yes I'm rating this after 4 episodes because I hate that some people on this site rate dramas after watching on episode, and they give high ratings to these mediocre romcoms. This drama is really good. All 4 episodes have been exciting. I honestly teared up a little at the first episode because it was so sad. Can't explain to much because I don't want to put any spoilers on here, but just know if you are questioning whether to watch? My answer is yes, you shouldWas this review helpful to you?
Bring back memories of big mouth
First of all I AM A BIG FAN OF JCW AND NOW I AM JUSTTTT😭😭 HOW THE HELL HE ACT SO WELL?! ROMANCE, ACTION, THRILL, MYSTERY,REVENGE,HAPPINESS, SADNESS!! I just love this guy!!! JCW is a wise man and like his eyes speak which acting!!The story just throw me back into the memories of BIG MOUTH... How great nostalgia i had rn but overally it is not the exact as big mouth ofc... But will be the best thriller drama in 2025 so far... The tension I felt while watching it... Like how should I put into words😭 how I craved for a thriller mystery drama and how I am feeling so glad to the k-industry to release it🤧
Just loved it... Like EXCELLENT WORK!!! Eagerly waiting for next episodes.. Hope to see more like this in the future~~
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It's a winner!
I’ve been waiting a long time for a drama like The Manipulated, and it does not disappoint. From the very first episode, the storytelling pulls you in with its balance of emotional depth and psychological tension. The plot reveals its twists at just the right moments without ever feeling rushed.The acting is consistently strong. Some characters feel lived-in, loved, flawed, and deeply human, while others are pure evil.
The Manipulated is a gripping mix of heartbreak, intrigue, insanity, deception, and high-stakes action. One moment you’re sympathizing with a character’s pain, and the next you’re questioning every motive and every relationship.
It keeps you engaged, invested, and hungry for answers. If you’re looking for a series that’s thrilling, emotionally rich, and unpredictable in all the best ways, The Manipulated is absolutely worth watching.
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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 K-drama of the year so far
I’m already familiar with the movie Fabricated City, which The Manipulated is loosely based on. The series is a slick, high-gloss production that really knows how to build tension. Fast pacing, strong action, and consistently polished direction pull you in right away—and keep you hooked.The story grabs you from the start and keeps the curiosity going. I immediately found myself rooting for Park Tae-joong, who ends up in prison due to fabricated evidence. As the protagonist, he has to fight his way through an intense and brutal situation. Thanks to Ji Chang-wook, his struggle feels real and grounded. He delivers a standout performance—both soft and tough, vulnerable yet controlled—with a convincing character arc and strong screen presence.
The show also gains emotional depth through the storyline involving former prison pastor Noh Yong-sik and his daughter Eun-bi. Supporting characters like the likable guard Yang Cheol-hwan and a seriously psychopathic antagonist add even more edge to the story.
Each episode brings enough twists, new developments, and emotional beats to keep you watching without ever feeling dragged out. At the same time, there’s room to reflect on the characters and stay emotionally invested.
All in all: intense, accessible, and totally binge-worthy. It’s one of those shows that sticks with you—and it easily made it onto my list of favorite series.
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