Starring Ji Chang Wook and D.O. (EXO), The Manipulated has skyrocketed to the top of Disney+’s global chart, according to FlixPatrol data from November 24. The drama has outperformed high-profile releases like All’s Fair, featuring Kim Kardashian, proving its broad international appeal and critical success across major markets.
The series has held its No.1 position in South Korea and Taiwan for 18 consecutive days and remains in the top 10 in regions like Hong Kong, Singapore, and Turkey. Disney+’s strategic release of two new episodes every Wednesday has fueled weekly anticipation among global audiences, making The Manipulated one of the platform’s strongest-performing non-English titles this season.
With a hefty budget of 35 billion KRW, The Manipulated is a dark, high-stakes revenge thriller that explores power, deceit, and psychological warfare. Inspired by Fabricated City (2017), the drama delivers relentless pacing, intense plot twists, and a suffocating atmosphere. It revolves around Park Tae Joong, played by Ji Chang Wook a man wrongly accused of a crime, caught in a web of manipulation where the truth is bent and every move could be his last.
The cast, including D.O., Lee Kwang Soo, and Jo Yoon Su, shines in both action and emotionally charged sequences. Yet it’s Ji Chang Wook’s performance that anchors the series. Departing from his usual roles in Healer or Melting Me Softly, Ji transforms into a layered character consumed by trauma and moral ambiguity.
His portrayal of Tae Joong is a masterclass in subtle emotional control. Whether through a fleeting eyebrow twitch, a restrained breath, or an intense eye movement, Ji channels a man unraveling under pressure without ever going over the top. In scenes of high-stakes dialogue and internal conflict, he brings nuance and tension that elevate the drama beyond its genre.
The Manipulated isn’t just another thriller it’s a bold step forward for Korean dramas on the global stage. With its slick direction, cinematic quality, and complex performances, it not only dominates streaming charts but also solidifies Ji Chang Wook’s evolution into a powerhouse dramatic actor ready for deeper, more demanding roles.
Sources: K14