Ji Chang-wook’s latest series The Manipulated soared to No. 1 on Disney+ Korea immediately upon release on November 5. Unlike other titles that gradually climb the charts due to word-of-mouth, this series dominated the rankings from the start especially notable considering its staggered episode release format.
The Manipulated is a gripping action thriller where Ji Chang-wook plays Tae-jung, an ordinary man whose life is turned upside down after he is wrongfully imprisoned for a brutal crime. He later discovers that everything was orchestrated by Yohan (played by Doh Kyung-soo) and begins his calculated path of revenge.
In episodes 1–4, released during the premiere week, Ji Chang-wook carried the majority of screen time, showcasing Tae-jung’s journey from shock and despair to awakening and vengeance. His compelling performance was central to the drama’s explosive debut.
This series builds on Ji Chang-wook’s earlier success with Fabricated City (2017), the film from which The Manipulated is conceptually derived. Even as a screen newcomer at the time, he drove that film to box-office success. Now, years later, he’s delivering a well-received TV adaptation that is further solidifying his legacy.
Blending emotional depth with intense, well-executed action scenes, Ji Chang-wook elevates the genre with his signature performance style. “There are so many different action sequences it felt like clearing stages in a game,” he remarked. “I wanted each stage to offer a different concept, and that’s what made it fun for me.”
With The Manipulated, Ji Chang-wook has now achieved a hat trick of Disney+ successes. He previously headlined The Worst of Evil (2023), which revealed a new facet of his acting range, and Gangnam B-Side (2024), which cemented his image transformation. Each project has been a hit across regions and demographics.
In fact, The Worst of Evil ranked in the top 10 across six countries/regions including Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Meanwhile, Gangnam B-Side clinched the No.1 spot in seven territories, including Greece, Malta, Singapore, and Japan. With The Manipulated, fans and critics alike are anticipating another record-breaking streak.
Through these consecutive successes, Ji Chang-wook is steadily establishing himself as a master of noir a sharp departure from his earlier image as a “romance drama expert.” Now, with his genre versatility, he’s becoming known as a master of action thrillers too.
Reflecting on his role, Ji Chang-wook shared, “This story really drew me in. The relationships between characters are intricately woven, and I had a strong feeling it would turn out to be something truly exciting.”
Sources: Daum
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