R.C If there is anyone who knows how to take a hit and look incredible doing it, it’s Ji Chang-wook. After establishing himself as the undisputed king of action with recent hits like “The Worst of Evil” (2023) and “Gangnam B-Side” (2024), the 38-year-old actor has returned to the conspiracy thriller genre with “The Manipulated”.
This new original series from Disney+ is not just any project for him; it is an expansion of the universe from the 2017 film “Fabricated City”. In a recent interview in Seoul, Ji Chang-wook opened up about the physical exhaustion, the emotional toll, and why he decided to return to playing a man on the brink of the abyss.
Ji Chang-wook and the Return to a Familiar Universe
Why return to a story you’ve already told? For Ji Chang-wook, the decision was a mix of instinct and pure fun. “I had a vague feeling that I had to do it when the series adaptation was first mentioned,” confessed the actor, who reprises the role of the protagonist Tae-jung.
The difference is that this time the narrative is broader, introducing new characters like Yo-han (played by D.O. from EXO).
“After reading the screenplay, it was just too fun. It made me think, ‘Oh, I think I can do a really good job with this.’ There was an affection for the film version, and also a curiosity about what it would be like to recreate this with new cast members and fresh episodes… I wanted to see how differently I could portray the character about 10 years later.”
Beyond Action: The Mental Collapse
Although Ji Chang-wook is a veteran of stunt scenes, he admitted that filming “The Manipulated” was “extreme.”
“Action is always hard,” the actor acknowledged. “From hand-to-hand combat to car chases, it was a constant challenge. The car chase scenes, which involved a lot of computer graphics, and the tunnel motorcycle sequence were technically and physically demanding.”
However, the real challenge wasn’t jumping or fighting, but showing the desperation of an ordinary man crushed by an unseen power. His main goal was to make the audience feel empathy for Tae-jung.
“Tae-jung represents a person who is powerless against unseen power. His mental state crumbles as he faces groundless accusations. My task was to portray how desperately he descends into that abyss, so the viewers could fully relate to his emotions.”
The Final Dilemma: Justice or Revenge?
(Spoiler Alert: Mild spoilers about the ending theme)
The series’ climax offers an interesting moral twist. Unlike traditional revenge thrillers where the protagonist seeks blood, Tae-jung, the character played by Ji Chang-wook, makes a different decision regarding his enemy, Yo-han.
Ji Chang-wook explained the psychology behind this decision: “Yo-han screams at Tae-jung to kill him in the end, but Tae-jung’s feeling was that Yo-han should have to live and fully face the responsibility for his crimes, instead of taking the easy way out by dying.”
Will There Be a Season 2 of “The Manipulated”?
When asked about a possible continuation, Ji Chang-wook’s answer was as honest as it was funny. First, he laughed and said: “I don’t really want to do it,” referring to the physical exhaustion involved.
But, showing his dedication to the fans, he immediately corrected himself:
“But there’s no greater joy than knowing your work is loved enough to go for a second season. If a Season 2 offer comes, I would have no choice but to do it, though it would require a big decision.”
With his eyes set on the future and potential international projects, Ji Chang-wook makes it clear that, even if he ends up exhausted, his passion for acting remains intact: “I want to keep trying new things all the time.”
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🧐 FAQs: All About “The Manipulated” and Ji Chang-wook
Here we answer the most frequently asked questions about this new action K-drama.
1. Is “The Manipulated” a remake of “Fabricated City”?
Not exactly a remake, but an expansion and adaptation. Fabricated City was a 2017 film also starring Ji Chang-wook. This Disney+ series takes that universe and expands it with new characters and more complex plotlines, allowing the actor to explore the character of Tae-jung with a more mature perspective, “10 years later.”
2. Who is the villain in the series?
The main antagonist is Yo-han, played by Doh Kyung-soo (D.O. from the K-pop group EXO). This casting choice has been widely celebrated for seeing D.O. in a complex villain role, facing off against Ji Chang-wook in a truly surprising way—from this blog, we congratulate his performance!
3. Where can I watch “The Manipulated”?
It is a Disney+ original series (available on Star+ or Hulu in some regions, depending on Disney’s international distribution).
4. Does Ji Chang-wook do his own stunts?
Yes, he is known for performing most of his own stunts. In this interview, he specifically mentions the difficulty of the car chases and the motorcycle sequences in tunnels, describing them as “physically and technically demanding.”
5. Will there be a second season?
Although not officially confirmed by Disney+, Ji Chang-wook stated in the interview that, while physically exhausting and joking that he “doesn’t want to do it,” he would accept the role if offered because it would mean the series was a success and is loved by fans.
🌟 Beyond the Action: 5 Fun Facts About Ji Chang-wook
If you were left wanting to know more about this multifaceted actor, here we answer questions about his career outside of “The Manipulated”.
1. What are the most iconic action K-dramas of his career?
Although he shines now in “The Manipulated”, Ji Chang-wook earned his title of “Action Hero” with two must-watch classics:
- “Healer” (2014-2015): Playing a night courier with incredible combat skills. It is, for many, his best work.
- “The K2” (2016): Where he played an ex-mercenary turned bodyguard. He is famous for performing stunts without doubles and for his intense chemistry with actress Song Yoon-ah.
2. Is it true he is also the “King of Romantic Comedy”?
Totally! Despite his fame for beating up villains, Ji Chang-wook is one of the most sought-after heartthrobs. If you want to see him falling in love instead of fighting, you have to watch:
- “Suspicious Partner” (2017): His role as prosecutor Noh Ji-wook is legendary.
- “Welcome to Samdal-ri” (2023-2024): A recent hit where he showed his warmer, more human side alongside Shin Hye-sun.
- “Lovestruck in the City” (2020): A modern and realistic romantic drama exploring urban relationships.
3. Does Ji Chang-wook sing in real life?
Yes, and he has a spectacular voice. In fact, he started his career in musical theater before jumping to TV. He has starred in famous musicals in Korea like “The Days” and “Jack the Ripper”. Additionally, he often sings the Original Soundtracks (OST) for his own dramas; you can hear him on the tracks for Healer, Suspicious Partner, and Melting Me Softly, and of course, see him act and sing in the K-Drama “The Sound of Magic”.
4. What does he do in his free time? (Hobbies)
Ji Chang-wook is an adventurer off-screen. He is a huge fan of motorcycles and loves hitting the road with his friends. He also really enjoys camping, something he has frequently shown on his personal YouTube channel, where he shares vlogs of his motorcycle trips and nights under the stars.
5. Has he worked on projects outside of Korea?
Yes, fulfilling his desire to be a global actor, Ji Chang-wook has an immense fanbase in China. He starred in the Chinese drama “Whirlwind Girl 2” (2016), where he played a martial arts instructor. Due to his popularity in Asia, he is always one of the most sought-after names for international fan meetings.
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Qué gran actuación de Ji Chang-wook, siempre sorprendente en sus papeles.
Lo amamos!!!