The intense cat-and-mouse game in the hit Korean thriller The Manipulated reaches a new level this week. The series left viewers on a massive cliffhanger, with protagonist Taejoong fleeing for his life after being shot by the manipulative Yohan. The next two episodes are set to drop this November 19, 2025, continuing the high-stakes story of revenge and corruption.
Where and When to Watch Episodes 7 and 8
The new episodes will be released online for streaming. The Manipulated is available to watch on Disney+ and Hulu in many countries, including the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe. In Asian markets like India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, the show streams on Disney+ Hotstar.
Episodes 7 and 8 will premiere together on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. For viewers around the world, this translates to:
- 8:00 AM GMT
- 3:00 AM ET
- 1:30 PM IST
- 5:00 PM KST
Each episode is expected to run for about 46 minutes, consistent with the show’s previous chapters. The series follows a weekly release pattern, with two new episodes arriving every Wednesday.
The Story So Far: A Recap of the Chaos
The first six episodes built a complex web of manipulation and survival. The story follows Park Taejoong, an ordinary man whose life is destroyed when he is framed for a brutal crime and sent to prison. Behind bars, he discovers his conviction was not random. A mysterious and brilliant man named An Yohan orchestrated everything.
Episodes 5 and 6 introduced Yohan’s most dangerous experiment yet. He forced Taejoong and other inmates into a deadly, no-rules race with a 5 billion won prize. After his car failed, Taejoong switched to a motorbike. Yohan then raised the stakes, offering 10 billion won to anyone who could capture him, turning the other inmates against Taejoong.
After a violent knife fight and creating a distraction by igniting a gas cylinder, Taejoong sped away on a bike. The sixth episode ended with Yohan picking up a rifle and shooting at the escaping Taejoong, leaving his fate unknown.
What to Expect in the Upcoming Episodes
The upcoming episodes will focus on the immediate aftermath of the shooting. The central question is whether Taejoong survived the gunshot. Given his central role, it is likely he will continue his fight, but perhaps with new injuries that make his escape more difficult.
His near-death experience has given him valuable knowledge about the facility’s layout and Yohan’s methods. His strategy is expected to shift from simple survival to a more calculated plan for revenge. The series may also start to reveal the motives behind Yohan’s cruel actions. Scenes showing him sculpting a figure of a scarred woman suggest a troubled past, possibly linked to his mother, which could explain his obsession with control.
Furthermore, the role of the VIP spectators bankrolling these deadly games will likely become more critical. The presence of characters like Baek Do-kyung as a “VIP guest” hints at a network of wealthy individuals who find entertainment in this human bloodsport. Uncovering who they are and why they are funding Yohan could be a key part of the new episodes.
Actor Do Kyungsoo, who plays the villain Yohan, spoke about his approach to the role at a recent Disney+ event in Hong Kong.
“I want them to hate me,” he said, explaining what he wants the audience to feel when playing Yohan.
The People Behind the Drama
The Manipulated features a standout cast led by Ji Chang-wook as the wronged Park Taejoong and Do Kyung-soo (also known as EXO’s D.O.) as the calculating An Yohan. The supporting cast includes Kim Jong-soo as Taejoong’s prison benefactor, Jo Yoon-soo as Yong-sik’s daughter, and Lee Kwang-soo as the VIP customer Baek Do-kyung.
The series is written by Oh Sang-ho and directed by Park Shin-woo and Kim Chang-ju.
With an impressive rating of 8.6 on IMDb, the show has been praised for its intense storyline, strong social commentary, and the powerful performances of its main actors. The next two episodes promise to continue this trend, delivering more of the suspense and drama that has captivated audiences.
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Also Read: The Manipulated Episodes 5-6: Yohan’s Deadly Game and Taejoong’s Great Escape
