From a modern media center to a historic prison, the new Korean thriller The Manipulated uses real locations across South Korea to build its suspenseful story. The drama, which stars Ji Chang Wook and Do Kyung Soo, follows an ordinary man fighting to clear his name after being framed for a serious crime. The places where it was filmed are not just backgrounds; they are essential to the show’s mood, moving the story between worlds of high-tech power and personal struggle. For fans planning a trip or just curious about the show’s world, here are the key spots where the drama came to life.
Seoul’s Modern Power Centers: YTN News Square and Conrad Seoul
The drama establishes its world of influence and control in Seoul’s most contemporary districts. YTN News Square in the Sangam media district represents the cold, corporate side of the story. With its sleek glass buildings, this area is used for scenes connected to the data-driven schemes of the character An Yo Han, played by Do Kyung Soo. The modern architecture creates a feeling of being watched, matching the show’s themes of manipulation.
For scenes requiring an atmosphere of luxury and high-stakes deals, the production used Conrad Seoul hotel on Yeouido. This hotel is known for its high-end design and panoramic views of the Han River. It serves as the setting for meetings between powerful characters, visually contrasting wealth and privilege against the gritty challenges faced by the main character, Park Tae Jung (Ji Chang Wook).
Everyday Seoul: Convenience Stores, Cafes, and Historic Parks
Not all of the action takes place in glossy offices. The Manipulated grounds its story in everyday Seoul locations that audiences recognize. A GS25 convenience store branch in the Guro Digital Complex appears in several scenes. This ordinary setting shows the main character’s daily life and adds a layer of realism to the thriller.
A quiet yet intense confrontation between characters unfolds at a Hollys Coffee café in the Songpa district. Using a normal coffee shop for a critical scene shows how tension can erupt in the most common places. For more reflective moments, characters meet at Seosomun Historical Park near City Hall. The park’s calm environment and memorial spaces provide a backdrop for conversations about guilt and memory.
Industrial Shadows and Studio Sets: Euljiro and Paju
To visualize the story’s darker turns, the filmmakers sought out locations with a raw, gritty feel. They used the Samyoung Machinery Building in Seoul’s Euljiro area, an old factory that is now closed. The building’s concrete walls and aged textures create a sense of decay and hidden danger, perfect for the drama’s morally complex scenes. This industrial part of Seoul, sometimes called “Hipjiro,” is a popular choice for filmmakers looking for a retro look.
Many interior scenes, including detailed sets like prison cells and high-tech offices, were built and filmed at Joy Madang Studio in Paju. This large studio complex just outside Seoul allows for complete control over lighting and scenery, which is essential for creating the show’s suspenseful indoor atmosphere.
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Beyond Seoul: From Goyang’s Plaza to Gwangju’s Prison
The story expands beyond Seoul’s center to other areas. Daehwa Plaza in the city of Goyang appears in urban chase sequences. Its modern, spacious design offers a different look from Seoul’s crowded streets and adds to the feeling of the main character being pursued to the city’s edges.
For a complete change of pace, some scenes were shot on Jungang-ro 77beon-gil, a street in the quieter city of Chuncheon. This location provides a small-town feel, likely used for flashbacks or moments of brief peace away from the central conflict.
The most memorable and haunting location is the old Gwangju Prison. This historic prison, no longer in use, serves as the setting for Park Tae Jung’s imprisonment. The real stone walls and narrow corridors create a powerful sense of claustrophobia and despair, directly reflecting the character’s mental state. Using an actual former prison adds a heavy layer of authenticity and emotional weight to these pivotal scenes.
The Manipulated is available for streaming on Disney+.
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