‘The Manipulated’ ushers in a bold new action role for Ji Chang-wook
Actors Doh Kyung-soo, left, and Ji Chang-wook pose during a press conference for the Disney+ original series “The Manipulated” at the Conrad Seoul, Monday. Yonhap
Actor Ji Chang-wook is back with another high-octane role — this time in Disney+’s upcoming action series “The Manipulated,” where he plays a man whose life is shattered by a false accusation.
The series, which premieres Wednesday, promises a fresh blend of suspense and emotional intensity that sets it apart from its cinematic inspiration: “Fabricated City.”
A press conference for “The Manipulated” took place at the Conrad Seoul on Monday with director Park Shin-woo and cast members Ji Chang-wook, Doh Kyung-soo, Kim Jong-soo, Jo Yoon-soo and Lee Kwang-soo in attendance.
Directed by Park — known for “White Night,” “The Killing Vote” and “Trap” — and written by Oh Sang-ho of “The Roundup: Punishment,” and “Taxi Driver,” the series follows Tae-jung (Ji), an ordinary man whose life collapses after being wrongfully accused of a heinous crime. When he learns that the entire incident was orchestrated by a man named Johan (Doh), he sets out on a path of vengeance.
Tae-jung, a hardworking delivery worker who dreams of opening a small garden cafe while caring for his younger sister, finds his world upended when police suddenly arrest him on fabricated charges.
The drama’s creators promise intense chases, motorcycle stunts and tightly woven conflicts between complex characters — offering what Ji calls “a new chapter in action storytelling.”
Director Park said Ji was his first and only choice for the role. “From the moment this project was confirmed as a drama, Ji showed great commitment and passion,” he said. “I honestly couldn’t imagine anyone else playing Tae-jung.”
Ji, who has made his mark in both film and television with works such as “Revolver,” “Fabricated City,” “Gangnam B-Side” and “The Worst of Evil,” said he was drawn to the project for its emotional depth.
“When I first read the script, I thought it could offer so many layers for viewers,” he said. “Rather than focusing on building a complex character, I wanted to convey Tae-jung’s emotions as they unfold in each situation and allow the audience to follow his pain and determination.”
Although “The Manipulated” reimagines “Fabricated City” for the small screen, Ji said he approached it without linking the two roles. “I didn’t want to recreate what I had already done. This is an entirely different character,” he said. “The writer told me he wanted Tae-jung to have the strength of a tree — that became my biggest challenge.”
Ji also expressed gratitude to veteran actor Kim Jong-soo, who plays Noh Yong-sik, Tae-jung’s savior. “It was a tough shoot, but having Kim on set gave me strength,” Ji said.
Cast members pose during a press conference for the Disney+ original series “The Manipulated” at the Conrad Seoul in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, on Monday. From left: Kim Jong-soo, Jo Yoon-soo, Ji Chang-wook, Doh Kyung-soo and Lee Kwang-soo. Yonhap
“Even when his scenes were finished, I didn’t want him to leave.” Kim responded warmly, saying, “In our previous project, he killed my character. But Ji is an incredibly dedicated actor with real passion for his work.”
Doh Kyung-soo takes on his first villain role as Johan, a mastermind who manipulates evidence and orchestrates crimes just for the thrill of it. As the head of an elite private security firm catering to the top one percent, Johan enjoys engineering chaos from behind the scenes.
“I wanted him to look unsettling,” Doh said. “I experimented with my appearance — perming, dyeing my hair, wearing flashy suits — and drew inspiration from villains in films and documentaries.”
Lee Kwang-soo joins the cast as Baek Do-kyung, Johan’s right-hand man who wields both power and wealth. “The script contained scenes I’d never seen before, and I was curious to see how they would be realized,” Lee said. “My character is despicable — I even spat on the script while reading it because I hated him so much. I wanted to make sure the audience feels that same disgust.”
Doh and Lee, known for their close friendship through various variety shows, said working together brought both comfort and focus.
“Kwang-soo can be stubborn and exhausting in real life,” Doh joked, “but on set, his presence gave me confidence. I learned so much from him — he’s always professional and thoughtful.” Lee added, “I worried our friendship might make it awkward to act together, but it actually helped. Thanks to Doh and Ji, I was able to fully enjoy the shoot.”
With its gripping revenge story, emotional performances, and fast-paced action, “The Manipulated” aims to deliver both spectacle and depth. As Ji summed up, “This drama is about a man fighting to reclaim his broken life — and in that struggle, I hope viewers can feel his strength, rage and humanity.”
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.