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This review may contain spoilers
Thrilling, engaging with potential for more
The Manipulated is one of the most engaging thrillers I've watched this year. I got intrigued by the plot and although I wasn't familiar with the movie, I decided to give the drama a try. I am a sucker for a good revenge story so it seemed that this drama appealed to me.
The first episodes worked as a set up for Tae Joong's character. Unlike other thrillers that start with the action part right away, The Manipulated took its time in order to establish the main character and his background. I found the first two episodes to be some of the best ones in the whole series. The portrayal of Tae Joong's psychological trauma in the prison and his bond with Yong Sik added more sentimental layers to his character, which made it easier to root for him.
The action scenes were thrilling to say the least. The cinematography and editing added more tension and the soundtrack enhanced the epic vibes. If one enjoys action packed dramas, The Manipulated will certainly not disappoint you. The action aspect was so exciting and my eyes were glued on the screen in order not to miss anything.
The makers did a good job highlighting the different fighting styles of the main leads. Tae Joong's wasn't that polished since he wasn't a trained fighter and had no experience with the crime world prior getting imprisoned. Yo Han, on the other hand, was lethal and yet fascinating. He didn't get involved in fighting all the time but even the few scenes we got showcased how dangerous he truly was. He carried himself with ease and he handled his weapons like it was a second nature for him. Tae Joong relied on his environment and followed a street-like fighting style and unlike Yo Han, he never aimed at killing his opponents, even if he had the chance to do so. These differences made me even more hyped for their final clash.
Tae Joong was an interesting main character, one whom you couldn't help but pity. He had lost everything, from his friends and family to his freedom and yet he remained resilient and kindhearted. Throughout the series, we see him getting involved in more fights and dark activities but his humanity remains intact. I especially appreciated his bond with Yong Sik, who was his rock of support in prison and who helped him once he got out. Their scenes brought a feeling of calmness and their soft interactions made me feel cathartic. They worked as a reminder of Tae Joong's past self: an innocent, kind man who cherished the people he loved.
On the other hand, Yo Han couldn't have been more different. He didn't feel love like Tae Joong or even if he did, he expressed it with cruelty. Yo Han was cunning, charismatic and intelligent. He toyed with people, innocent and guilty ones and fabricated the perfect lie. He cared for no one but himself and the only person who got to experience his love (even in its cruel form) was his nanny. The way he calculated and predicted everything made me feel both captivated and fearful. He was the perfect rival for Tae Joong and an interesting villain in general.
While this type of psychopath villains who are bad for the sake of being bad are a hit or miss for me, Yo Han was a character who I wanted to analyse more, just to grasp even the smallest hint of his philosophy. I liked the moments when his collective and calm persona would crumble and he would succumb to anger outbursts. He always seemed so untouchable and yet he would act like a spoiled kid who didn't receive its Christmas present if things didn't go the way he wanted to. Some people have voiced their dislike for his childlike traits but in my opinion, these traits worked for his character.
I liked how the plot framed the cat-and-mouse game between Tae Joong and Yo Han. Two men who are polar opposites and who are connected in such a cruel way. Yo Han's schemings against Tae Joong intensified their rivalry and had me wondering how Tae Joong would have been able to take him down.
Watching Yo Han manipulating Tae Joong reminded me of how some predators will toy with their prey. For him, Tae Joong became something more than an "avatar" to utilize in order to save his client's life. Tae Joong was a constant enigma. How could he retain his kindness after the hell he had been through? How could he still have the support of many people, even after being labeled as a criminal? For someone like Yo Han, who was incapable of grasping the concert of empathy and kindness, Tae Joong was a puzzle to solve - and shape however he wanted to.
A big chunk of The Manipulated's success derives from the main leads' acting and chemistry. This was my first time watching a Lee Chang Wook drama and it's safe to say it won't be the last. He was perfect for the role of Tae Joong and his performance humanized Tae Joong. His eyes conveyed Tae Joong's sorrow and tiredness, you could tell how exhausted he had been and how much he clung even to the smallest possibility of proving his innocence. He was stern but not bland and he certainly proved his reputation as a capable actor.
I was beyond surprised to learn that Doh Kyung Soo is a member of the kpop group EXO. I am not familiar with their songs but I know them and I didn't expect to see one of their members in a lead role. It goes without saying that Kyung Soo delivered a captivating performance. He carried his character with ease and embodied his troublesome mind and complex emotions convincingly. Kyung Soo made me feel like I was watching a bomb ready to be set off. The tone of his voice, his expressions, his body language, everything highlighted Yo Han's deranged and unpredictable personality.
The rest of the actors also did a good job with what they were given. The prisoners were interesting to watch, especially Deok Su. Yang Dong Eun whom I saw in Squid Game, was great in this dark role. Lee Kwang Soo also did an excellent job as Baek Do Gyung, the person who used Tae Joong in order to avoid prison. I hated his character so much but at the same time, his vendetta against Yo Han was fun to watch.
I wish I could say that I liked the story until the very end. The first episodes were an amazing set up and I expected the rest to follow the same route. But the more the story escalated, the more puzzled I felt about the writing.
The Manipulated tried to differ compared to other revenge kdramas. Instead of making the hero's need for revenge his sole purpose, the writers tried to give Tae Joong more personality. I really appreciated the psychological aspect but as the story went on, it felt like their attempt to explore Tae Joong's personality got neglected. I would have liked to see more flashbacks of his hitherto happy life and I would have liked to see more interactions between him and his friends. We saw them assisting him in the finale but we never got to see them reuniting, even though it was shown in bit parts that they remained loyal to him. There were opportunities to showcase his personality even more and although I'm happy with what we got, they could have been more.
After the fifth or sixth episode, I got the impression that the pacing was inconsistent. While the episodes remained engaging, some scenes felt like fillers. Some subplots were interesting and some others weren't that much. The writers wanted to do many things in just 12 episodes to the point the writing didn't feel as fleshed out as it previously was. Revenge, corruption, kinship, all of these themes were more than interesting but they couldn't be developed properly alongside the main story.
There was an endeavor to include more heartfelt moments between Yong Sik and his daughter but by the time Eun Bi had gotten introduced, it was too late to create a strong emotional relationship between them. Of course I felt for them and I was rooting for their reconciliation but the drama didn't leave much room for their relationship to develop properly. I genuinely wanted to see more of them but their interactions weren't enough in order to get more emotionally invested. The moment when Yong Sik was about to sacrifice his life, sad as it was, failed to move me simply because we hadn't gotten much time with these characters and their past. Even their backstory wasn't presented in the best way.
Speaking of backstories, I really wish we had gotten a few flashbacks from Yo Han's past. This tell-and-don't-show method didn't contribute a lot. I'm not saying that he needed a sob story. But it was underwhelming to see his backstory being given in more dialogues.
The ending left me with a lukewarm reaction. I was happy for Tae Joong but I wasn't thrilled by the way we had reached the conclusion. The last two episodes felt too overpacked, they wanted to cram everything together to the point the story became rushed. Tae Joong and Yo Han's final confrontation could have also been handled better, especially Yo Han's downfall. I totally understand the way it was done but personally, I wanted more. We wasted too much time on secondary villains while the writers could have developed the main leads' clashing ideologies and have them spend more time together in the finale.
All in all, The Manipulated was an entertaining thriller which left some things to be desired. I was happy for getting introduced to these actors and although it didn't become a favourite of mine, it was a drama I do not regret watching and which I recommend to those who seek action and thrill.
Beware for the truth might not be what you see.
The first episodes worked as a set up for Tae Joong's character. Unlike other thrillers that start with the action part right away, The Manipulated took its time in order to establish the main character and his background. I found the first two episodes to be some of the best ones in the whole series. The portrayal of Tae Joong's psychological trauma in the prison and his bond with Yong Sik added more sentimental layers to his character, which made it easier to root for him.
The action scenes were thrilling to say the least. The cinematography and editing added more tension and the soundtrack enhanced the epic vibes. If one enjoys action packed dramas, The Manipulated will certainly not disappoint you. The action aspect was so exciting and my eyes were glued on the screen in order not to miss anything.
The makers did a good job highlighting the different fighting styles of the main leads. Tae Joong's wasn't that polished since he wasn't a trained fighter and had no experience with the crime world prior getting imprisoned. Yo Han, on the other hand, was lethal and yet fascinating. He didn't get involved in fighting all the time but even the few scenes we got showcased how dangerous he truly was. He carried himself with ease and he handled his weapons like it was a second nature for him. Tae Joong relied on his environment and followed a street-like fighting style and unlike Yo Han, he never aimed at killing his opponents, even if he had the chance to do so. These differences made me even more hyped for their final clash.
Tae Joong was an interesting main character, one whom you couldn't help but pity. He had lost everything, from his friends and family to his freedom and yet he remained resilient and kindhearted. Throughout the series, we see him getting involved in more fights and dark activities but his humanity remains intact. I especially appreciated his bond with Yong Sik, who was his rock of support in prison and who helped him once he got out. Their scenes brought a feeling of calmness and their soft interactions made me feel cathartic. They worked as a reminder of Tae Joong's past self: an innocent, kind man who cherished the people he loved.
On the other hand, Yo Han couldn't have been more different. He didn't feel love like Tae Joong or even if he did, he expressed it with cruelty. Yo Han was cunning, charismatic and intelligent. He toyed with people, innocent and guilty ones and fabricated the perfect lie. He cared for no one but himself and the only person who got to experience his love (even in its cruel form) was his nanny. The way he calculated and predicted everything made me feel both captivated and fearful. He was the perfect rival for Tae Joong and an interesting villain in general.
While this type of psychopath villains who are bad for the sake of being bad are a hit or miss for me, Yo Han was a character who I wanted to analyse more, just to grasp even the smallest hint of his philosophy. I liked the moments when his collective and calm persona would crumble and he would succumb to anger outbursts. He always seemed so untouchable and yet he would act like a spoiled kid who didn't receive its Christmas present if things didn't go the way he wanted to. Some people have voiced their dislike for his childlike traits but in my opinion, these traits worked for his character.
I liked how the plot framed the cat-and-mouse game between Tae Joong and Yo Han. Two men who are polar opposites and who are connected in such a cruel way. Yo Han's schemings against Tae Joong intensified their rivalry and had me wondering how Tae Joong would have been able to take him down.
Watching Yo Han manipulating Tae Joong reminded me of how some predators will toy with their prey. For him, Tae Joong became something more than an "avatar" to utilize in order to save his client's life. Tae Joong was a constant enigma. How could he retain his kindness after the hell he had been through? How could he still have the support of many people, even after being labeled as a criminal? For someone like Yo Han, who was incapable of grasping the concert of empathy and kindness, Tae Joong was a puzzle to solve - and shape however he wanted to.
A big chunk of The Manipulated's success derives from the main leads' acting and chemistry. This was my first time watching a Lee Chang Wook drama and it's safe to say it won't be the last. He was perfect for the role of Tae Joong and his performance humanized Tae Joong. His eyes conveyed Tae Joong's sorrow and tiredness, you could tell how exhausted he had been and how much he clung even to the smallest possibility of proving his innocence. He was stern but not bland and he certainly proved his reputation as a capable actor.
I was beyond surprised to learn that Doh Kyung Soo is a member of the kpop group EXO. I am not familiar with their songs but I know them and I didn't expect to see one of their members in a lead role. It goes without saying that Kyung Soo delivered a captivating performance. He carried his character with ease and embodied his troublesome mind and complex emotions convincingly. Kyung Soo made me feel like I was watching a bomb ready to be set off. The tone of his voice, his expressions, his body language, everything highlighted Yo Han's deranged and unpredictable personality.
The rest of the actors also did a good job with what they were given. The prisoners were interesting to watch, especially Deok Su. Yang Dong Eun whom I saw in Squid Game, was great in this dark role. Lee Kwang Soo also did an excellent job as Baek Do Gyung, the person who used Tae Joong in order to avoid prison. I hated his character so much but at the same time, his vendetta against Yo Han was fun to watch.
I wish I could say that I liked the story until the very end. The first episodes were an amazing set up and I expected the rest to follow the same route. But the more the story escalated, the more puzzled I felt about the writing.
The Manipulated tried to differ compared to other revenge kdramas. Instead of making the hero's need for revenge his sole purpose, the writers tried to give Tae Joong more personality. I really appreciated the psychological aspect but as the story went on, it felt like their attempt to explore Tae Joong's personality got neglected. I would have liked to see more flashbacks of his hitherto happy life and I would have liked to see more interactions between him and his friends. We saw them assisting him in the finale but we never got to see them reuniting, even though it was shown in bit parts that they remained loyal to him. There were opportunities to showcase his personality even more and although I'm happy with what we got, they could have been more.
After the fifth or sixth episode, I got the impression that the pacing was inconsistent. While the episodes remained engaging, some scenes felt like fillers. Some subplots were interesting and some others weren't that much. The writers wanted to do many things in just 12 episodes to the point the writing didn't feel as fleshed out as it previously was. Revenge, corruption, kinship, all of these themes were more than interesting but they couldn't be developed properly alongside the main story.
There was an endeavor to include more heartfelt moments between Yong Sik and his daughter but by the time Eun Bi had gotten introduced, it was too late to create a strong emotional relationship between them. Of course I felt for them and I was rooting for their reconciliation but the drama didn't leave much room for their relationship to develop properly. I genuinely wanted to see more of them but their interactions weren't enough in order to get more emotionally invested. The moment when Yong Sik was about to sacrifice his life, sad as it was, failed to move me simply because we hadn't gotten much time with these characters and their past. Even their backstory wasn't presented in the best way.
Speaking of backstories, I really wish we had gotten a few flashbacks from Yo Han's past. This tell-and-don't-show method didn't contribute a lot. I'm not saying that he needed a sob story. But it was underwhelming to see his backstory being given in more dialogues.
The ending left me with a lukewarm reaction. I was happy for Tae Joong but I wasn't thrilled by the way we had reached the conclusion. The last two episodes felt too overpacked, they wanted to cram everything together to the point the story became rushed. Tae Joong and Yo Han's final confrontation could have also been handled better, especially Yo Han's downfall. I totally understand the way it was done but personally, I wanted more. We wasted too much time on secondary villains while the writers could have developed the main leads' clashing ideologies and have them spend more time together in the finale.
All in all, The Manipulated was an entertaining thriller which left some things to be desired. I was happy for getting introduced to these actors and although it didn't become a favourite of mine, it was a drama I do not regret watching and which I recommend to those who seek action and thrill.
Beware for the truth might not be what you see.
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