When it comes to South Korean action drama heroes, few names come to mind and Ji Chang-wook is definitely one of them. Known for his standout performances in Healer (2014), The K2 (2016), and The Worst of Evil (2023), the actor returns to our screens as the main protagonist in The Manipulated, a thrilling new action series. Joining him are two other major names in Korean entertainment, Doh Kyung-soo and Lee Kwang-soo, to round out the powerhouse cast. With three of the most dynamic actors at its centre, the series delivers a gripping exploration of power, corruption, and vengeance.

The series follows Tae-joong (Ji Chang-wook), a model citizen whose life is torn apart after being falsely accused of a woman’s rape and murder. He sets out on a relentless pursuit of revenge on the people who were responsible for it. Doh plays Yohan, the mastermind behind the evil scheme, while Lee plays Baek Do-kyung, Yohan’s wealthy VIP client. Ahead of the series premiere, the cast gave ELLE Singapore an exclusive insight into their roles, working together, and what viewers can expect from the series.

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If you’re familiar with Ji’s filmography and think this sounds similar to Fabricated City (2017)—a film he previously starred in—you’re right. This upcoming series is, in fact, an adaptation of it. The actor recalls his reaction upon hearing it was in development: “My immediate thought was, ‘I have to be part of it.’ Once I started reading the script, I was hooked and knew I had to join the project.” Both Doh and Lee were naturally drawn to the series after reading its action- and suspense-filled script.

But what sets this series apart from the original film? For Ji, who has worked on both, the distinction is clear. “I approached it as an entirely different project,” he reflects. While the film and series share a similar overall premise, he explains, “Much more detail was added to the characters’ backstories, and new ones were introduced. The characters in the series were also reinvented to be more intriguing and better suited to actors like Do Kyung-soo and Yang Dong-geun.”

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For a series expected to deliver action-packed sequences and intense drama, one can only imagine the rigorous preparation the actors had to undergo for their roles. As a seasoned action star, Ji had a clear vision for how he wanted his fight scenes to unfold: Raw and cinematic. “I aimed to create action scenes that are dramatic, dynamic, and explosive, rather than grounded in reality,” he remarks.

Having worked with the same stunt coordinator and team on previous projects made the process smoother this time around. Reflecting on the car chase and motorcycle scenes, the actor shares, “I certainly put in my share of effort, but I had a lot of help from the CGI and stunt team. Together, we were able to create some truly spectacular sequences.”

The series marks Doh’s first time portraying an antagonist. The idol-turned-actor, known for his boyish charm, paid close attention to how he could alter his appearance to fit the role. Beyond that, he shares that he “focused on [the character’s] inner world, drawing from portrayals of psychopaths in other films, TV series, and documentaries [he’s] watched over the years.” While this may be his first lead antagonist role, his earlier performance as the younger version of a serial killer in the 2015 K-drama Hello Monster suggests he’s poised to deliver a gripping performance.

Lee’s preparation went beyond capturing the look of a wealthy individual; it also involved embodying the mannerisms of someone condescending. He paid close attention to nuances such as tone of voice and line delivery to fully bring the character to life. “I tried my best to ensure that this character comes across as instantly off-putting and offensive,” he reflects.

The K-drama formula relies on several key elements, one of which is cast synergy. Highly praised for his emotional performances in films like Along With the Gods and Swing Kids, Doh has firmly established himself in the acting world. Ji was thrilled to learn that he would be joining the project. “I was eager to see how he’d bring his own personality to the character originally played by Oh Jeong-se in the film,” he shares. Ji also credits Lee as a pivotal presence in the series, adding depth and nuance to a villain that could have otherwise felt one-dimensional.

If you’re a fan of K-variety shows, you’d already know that Doh and Lee share great on-screen chemistry. They have previously appeared together on the farming-based variety show Green Bean Red Bean: Reap What You Sow and its spin-off, Cafeteria Operation. This time, they reunite on-screen not as a squabbling duo, but as an evil CEO and his VIP client. Reflecting on their collaboration, Doh says, “I’ve always known Lee Kwang-soo to be a brilliant actor, and because we already knew each other, I felt very much at ease working with him.”

Having previously worked with both of his co-stars, Lee was delighted to reunite with them after so long. The familiarity made the set a comfortable space for conversation and collaboration, which in turn helped him shape and settle into his role.

Filming came with its share of memorable moments and challenges behind the scenes. For the antagonist, whose modus operandi involves using technology to frame innocent victims, some of Doh’s scenes were set in a stark white room where he devised his schemes. Reflecting on the experience, he says, “I relied solely on my imagination to film a scene where he plans how to frame someone for a crime, which was challenging because I didn’t quite know what kind of behaviour I needed to exhibit to convey this process.” Lee, meanwhile, cites the car racing scene as his most memorable as its a sequence rarely seen in a Korean series.

There are plenty of reasons to look forward to this drama: The thrilling action scenes, revenge-driven storyline, and a talented cast. When asked what viewers can anticipate, Ji and Doh both highlight the adrenaline-pumping action sequences, which they say will fully draw audiences into the story. Lee adds confidently, “Once you start, you won’t be able to stop.”

The Manipulated debuts on Disney+ on 5 November 2025.

*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.