The Manipulated (2025) s01e04 Episode Script

[theme music playing]
The Manipulated
[clock ticking]
[sighs]
[Taejoong] Thirty minutes left.
All right, you're all set.
I really appreciate it.
Go get some rest.
IT WILL BE OVER IN 30 MINUTES
SENDING MESSAGE
Thanks for everything.
SPORTS FIELD
CAFETERIA
[pants]
Oh, shit.
[electrical buzzing]
Our power just went out.
You guys good? Seems like a short circuit.
I'll check it out.
[beeps]
OFFICER'S OFFICE
ID CARD
STORAGE ROOM
I'll need civilian clothes.
SUPPLY STORAGE ROOM
TOP, PANTS, WATCH, HAT, ETC.
-[beeps]
-[door unlocks]
CELL BLOCK A
CELL BLOCK B
-[beeps]
-[door unlocks]
Oh, shit.
[breathing heavily]
[high-pitched ringing]
[panting]
[sighs]
How much longer should I wait here?
He could have been joking, right?
Well
whether he comes out or not,
I'm worried sick.
[panting]
[Taejoong] I have to find a way
to sneak in there
and utilize the ventilation ducts.
[grunts]
[grunts]
Huh?
What is this?
[sighs] Seriously?
Who left this out?
Shit! What the hell's
wrong with these guys?
-[clanging above]
-What's that?
Huh?
RESTRICTED AREA
There's something up there?
-[shaft clanging]
-[breath trembling]
Dammit, Cheolhwan, I told him to round up
the guys to catch those rats.
They're all over the place.
[whispers] Oh, shit.
Oh, come on.
Huh?
[car approaching]
Mr. Noh?
[panting]
-[high-pitched ringing]
-[breathing heavily]
[panting]
Good to see you. How you doing?
Oh. Hello, Officer Yang.
Hi.
-I'm just You know
-You're here to see someone?
Yeah, I, uh I missed the window
to schedule a visit.
Oh, really?
Oh, dear.
[loud thud]
[grunts]
I'll handle it for you.
-Come on.
-Oh, no, no, don't worry about it.
I'll just
I'll come back tomorrow and do it.
-[cell phone vibrating]
-Oh, just a minute.
[panting]
[cell phone vibrating]
Yes, Chief.
[Namjoon] Hey, idiot.
Weren't you on duty this morning?
Yes.
The inmates left
the cleaning tools down there.
Rats running around the vents.
Next time, make sure they tidy up
after themselves and turn off the lights.
[cell phone beeps]
Ah, you can't trust that asshole
with anything.
[switch clicks]
[Cheolhwan sighs]
-It's not easy dealing with these inmates.
-[chuckles]
Yes, yes, of course.
-Hop in.
-No, it's fine, really.
I'll just come back tomorrow, okay?
-Are you sure?
-Yes, yes.
All right. Well, in that case,
I can give you a lift into town.
No, I drove, so I have my car.
-Ah.
-Well, I'll be going now.
-Have a safe trip back.
-Thank you.
[chuckles nervously]
-[high-pitched ringing]
-Ah, shit.
CIVIL AFFAIRS SERVICE
[breathing heavily]
FOOD SUPPLY DELIVERY TIME
MAIN GATE
4:00
Sir, are you all right?
Is it your first time visiting?
I have a grandson who's locked up in here.
Gu Jiyong, that brat.
He put us through hell.
[woman sighs]
[woman sighs]
[glass breaking]
Don't forget to take your ID back
when you're ready to leave.
Number 242, please come get your ID card.
[woman] Oh, yes.
[container thuds]
Oh, no! What am I going to do now?
-[officer] We told you before.
-I'm so sorry.
You're not allowed to bring food in here
but you decided to anyways?
[conversation continues indistinctly]
[panting]
[heart beating heavily]
[high-pitched ringing]
[high-pitched ringing]
[engines revving]
[coach] All right, keep your lead.
They're on your tail. Nice block.
Watch your side, left side.
-Let me know today's lap time later, okay?
-Yes, sir. I'll do that.
Okay
Hey, come here.
What if you add
a special item to the race?
Huh?
Like, maybe you push a button and then
banana peels fly out onto the track?
Then the drivers will start freaking out.
They'll crash, or maybe
their cars might explode.
[chuckles] Yes, that sounds like fun.
I'm not playing around.
I'm sorry.
-[man] The lap time. We got a new record!
-What is it? Great!
-[all cheering]
-You shaved off a second. You hear that?
A full second!
Let's go! That's what I'm talking about!
[all cheering]
Great job! That was amazing!
It's a new record! One less second!
Sir, our new record is 1.3 seconds.
We'll rank at the top this season
for sure.
If we manage our condition and avoid
any major accidents, victory is ours.
[chuckles softly]
Isn't it more fun
when there are some accidents, though?
[chuckles] Uh, if our drivers
were to get hurt on the racetrack,
then we'd be in serious trouble.
I thought you were serious about winning.
We are. We're here to win.
The whole team has been working hard
and giving their best, just for you, sir.
I doubt you're giving it your all
if you're this worried about accidents.
If you want to be victorious,
you have to be willing to risk everything.
[sighs, chuckles nervously]
But, sir, if there is an accident
out there
and one of our drivers gets killed,
how would we recover from that?
[inhales sharply]
Ah! The problem is clear now.
-[laughing]
-It's not a problem, sir.
You don't think their lives
are worth sacrificing.
We're done here.
[woman] As of today,
we are no longer your main sponsor.
[coach] What?
[engine starts, revs]
[birds chirping]
You seem to be enjoying yourself, Master.
Seems I've been focusing
on all the wrong things.
Now I've finally found the real deal.
I'm glad to hear that.
May I ask what it is?
[chuckles softly]
[imperceptible]
[both laughing]
Sounds like fun, right?
That's exactly what I would expect
from you.
Which means I need a list of clients
connected to the Ministry of Justice.
I'll get the list
and bring in a foreign security agency.
Nanny, you're the only one
who understands my vision.
[laughing]
[indistinct radio chatter]
Hey, open the door. Now!
What about the study?
Did they seize everything?
[man on phone] Yes, sir.
Oh, son of a bitch!
Just hole up somewhere.
Keep this to yourself.
-Understood.
-I'm hanging up.
Warden, it's the--
-Ah, just tell me later.
-No, he's already later.
No, I think we'll talk right now.
-[gasping] Commissioner.
-You look like you're falling apart.
-Is this job too much for you?
-To what do I owe this surprise visit?
All of you
get out!
-You, have a seat.
-Yes, sir.
Hey.
Hey. What are you doing?
Wow. Did you get these awards
just for housing all those prisoners?
-[chuckles] Yes, that's right.
-That's admirable.
I thought they were just
a drain on our taxes.
-Who
-Oh, this is--
Why don't you go and drink some coffee?
Uh, yes. I'll come back later.
Listen to me. Whatever this gentleman
orders you to do, don't argue with it.
Just do it.
-What?
-I'll go now.
KOREA CORRECTIONAL SERVICE
GUAN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
I heard you have the most
violent criminals in the country here.
-Yes, but who are you?
-[door closes]
Who do you think I am?
[clears throat] I beg your pardon, sir,
but may I ask what your relationship is
with the commissioner?
Oh, none at all.
I don't really know him.
[scoffs] What do you mean by that?
I don't know the Commissioner General,
but I'm friends with the person
who got him appointed.
I have many friends, you know.
Ah, I see.
So, what brings you here?
Well, is this awkward for you, having to
show respect to someone younger like me?
Remember what the commissioner told you.
[sighs] To take care of you
during your visit.
That wasn't it.
The commissioner told me
I should agree to anything you ask.
That's not what he said.
He said to do
whatever you ordered me to do.
[chuckles softly]
Take a look at this.
PROPOSAL FOR
ENVIRONMENTAL VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
Doesn't it sound like a fun idea?
-Sure. However this is--
-Oh, I almost forgot.
-How should I say this?
-Here.
I didn't have time to wrap them.
I was in a hurry today.
And I don't like to waste time.
Each is worth 200 million,
if I had to guess,
I'll give you five more
if all this goes well.
[scoffs]
It seems like you've been working
really hard trying to get rich.
But you use public funds
to invest in crypto
and bought coins from a bunch
of scammers by mistake.
Right?
And you left all the money you pocketed
in your study.
So it was easy to take from you.
Who told you about that?
Didn't I already mention?
I have a lot of friends around.
As for the stuff they confiscated,
would you like them returned to you?
I can make it happen.
Or maybe, you care about
these inmates after all.
No, I don't get attached to the inmates.
Well, that's good to hear.
Then you've got nothing to lose.
This is an opportunity.
You can either agree to it
and become a very rich man,
or maybe you'll lose everything
and they'll fire you.
-[sighs]
-If you're out, tell me now.
I'll find someone
to take your place easily.
Oh, no, I can do it, sir.
Tell me what you want done.
[chuckles softly] Now we're talking.
You can authorize your inmates
for work outside the prison, right?
Yes, that's right.
Inmates should be selected
according to the conditions
listed on the last page of that file.
Violent offenders,
murderers, robbers, etcetera.
And if you're short on people,
anyone who pisses you off
will be just fine.
We'll take them.
The game gets interesting
when there's variety.
You got that?
Understand?
Yes, sir. I'll take care of everything.
I'll leave it to you
-Have a safe trip.
-[door closes]
[mouse clicking]
[indistinct chatter outside]
And grabs a change of clothes
at 3:30.
[sighs]
B.
Zone B, huh?
[exhales sharply]
MECHANICAL ROOM
[grunts]
[panting]
[woman speaking indistinctly]
CIVIL AFFAIRS SERVICE
MAIN GATE
[sighs]
Right out through the main gate.
[chuckles]
[Taejoong groans softly]
Oh, you're awake.
It's a good thing
that Father found you in time.
If he found you any later, you'd be dead.
[gagging]
[continues gagging]
Who made you eat it?
Or did you eat it on purpose?
What do you mean?
We found huge amounts of warfarin
in your blood.
-[groans]
-You swallowed rat poison.
You know that supplement you took?
All that Vitamin K3 acted as an antidote.
It bought you some extra time.
You should thank whoever got that for you.
-They ended up saving your life.
-[grunts]
[groaning]
[retching]
Park Taejoong.
[retching]
You all right?
[sighs]
I heard a lot of stories
that you went out the main gate
dressed in plain clothes.
Some are saying it was an escape attempt.
Others say you collapsed
after eating food mixed with rat poison.
Who knows what's true?
[Taejoong groaning]
I do know that something isn't adding up.
I don't think
you'd poison yourself like that.
Someone else did this.
They must have really wanted
to put you out of commission.
I should have kept
a closer watch on things.
I won't let this happen again,
I promise.
[grunts]
And another thing.
If those rumors are true,
that you changed clothes,
used the blind spots to reach the gate
and even managed to get outside,
escaping does seem possible after all.
Nobody ever thinks of
just walking out the front door,
so I'm sure that's the weakest point here.
[grunts]
I treated you too humanely, 2802.
You think you're too humane?
Is that your idea of a joke?
Wow.
I'm really hurt to hear you say that.
You'd be surprised to hear
what people really think.
As soon as you recover,
the investigation will start.
Ah.
Noh Yongsik requested a visit.
Maybe some other time.
Please give him this message.
Thank you for saving my life again.
Is that some kind of secret code?
It's just a word of thanks.
Anyway
out of everyone here,
you probably say thank you the most.
I guess that means
you must have been a good man outside.
[retching]
You're telling me
Taejoong really said that?
Yes, that was it. Word for word.
He said,
"Thank you for saving my life again."
If that's some kind of secret code,
then I don't get it.
You don't know what it means either, huh?
Maybe it's not a code at all.
It was a jailbreak.
Jailbreak.
That asshole.
So that's why he said he was busy.
Yeah, I heard that the priest
brought him in from outside,
but the guards are keeping it quiet
because they're scared
of getting reprimanded.
He was passed out.
Apparently he ate rat poison.
Is that for real?
That's what they said
over at the infirmary.
So I bet it's true.
That asshole tried to escape
while he was dying?
[men chuckle]
Tell me, why the hell
would he poison himself?
I mean, that shit'll kill you, right?
My old dog ate it and dropped dead.
[all laughing]
This shithead is awfully clever, isn't he?
Right now, I'm sure he's up to something.
A few of our guys decided
to switch to Do Gangjae's side,
and I'll bet you it's because
of that shit-head Park Taejoong.
[banging on gate]
[guard] Quiet in there. No chatting.
Look at you.
If you aren't here to let me out, just go.
I'm in no mood for small talk right now.
I've heard what the other inmates
are saying.
The way you keep messing with inmate 2802,
makes you look like a scared dog
that's been backed into a corner. [laughs]
[chuckles]
[clears throat]
PROPOSAL
I'm gonna let you out now.
Just don't cause any trouble.
Got it?
[bangs on door] You understand me?
Let him out.
[Hanhee] The way you keep messing
with inmate 2802,
makes you look like a scared dog
that's been backed into a corner. [laughs]
Welcome back, boss.
Where's Park Taejoong?
The infirmary.
-[inmate 1] Why, what's going on?
-[inmate 2] What's happening?
[door opens, closes]
[breath trembling]
Doctor.
Is everything okay? I was looking for you.
I don't know anything about it.
What?
Hey, what are you talking about?
I'm not responsible for this.
So don't come at me later.
What?
Do it.
[grunting]
[groaning]
[all grunting]
Get the lights.
You fucker!
Boss, what do you want me to do?
You guys, break it up now.
You're already in plain clothes.
Why don't you just go home?
[scoffs]
You want me to charge
all of you with obstruction?
Yeah, Go for it.
I'll be out of here soon anyway.
You little
You seem out of breath.
Must be all that rat poison.
It's a shame you're this tired already.
However, I think you'd have to drop dead
for me to get a good night's sleep again.
[grunting]
[groaning]
[screaming]
Do I make myself clear?
I want you to send the inmates out
for community service.
We'll just have to take care
of the paperwork.
[scoffs]
This is yours, if you're in.
There'll be plenty more
when the job's done.
-Oh, shit.
-[chuckling]
What are you waiting for? It's ours.
-[officer 1] Holy shit.
-[officer 2] Look at all this.
-What's wrong? Didn't you go home?
-[alarm blaring]
CRPT Support Team,
I need dispatch right now.
I repeat, dispatch right now.
Hey, what's with the siren?
CRPT?
[all sighing]
[alarm continues blaring]
What now? What have they done this time?
[alarm blaring]
[grunting]
Move it!
[screaming]
[alarm blaring]
[breathing heavily]
Disperse.
Disperse!
GUAN PENITENTIARY ANNEX CLINIC
[indistinct clamoring]
[Cheolhwan] Open it now!
[mimics chicken clucking]
[humming]
You were born in
the Year of the Rooster, right?
But roosters aren't known
for having long lives, are they?
[chuckles]
I mean, just look at you, pouring blood
all over the floor like that.
Why don't you take a nice,
long drag of this cigarette?
Come on.
You don't smoke?
Where's my lighter?
Here.
-[groaning]
-There's my lighter.
-It's so hot.
-[groans]
Feel that? Doesn't it hurt?
Oh, guess it burnt out. No, no, no.
[groaning, grunting]
[groans]
[laughs]
[clamoring continues]
Come on! Hey, get over here!
Come on!
[gasps]
[both grunting]
[clamoring continues]
Push!
[all yelling]
[panting]
Let's stop all this, huh?
It's exhausting.
Then put
that knife down my throat.
[guards shouting]
Forward, hurry.
Do it. Come on, cut my throat.
Do it. Do it.
-[knife slices]
-[groans]
[screaming]
Hey, move! Get out of the way!
[knife clatters]
[groans]
What the fuck?
[groaning, panting]
[exhales]
[Taejin] Taejoong.
Taejin.
Listen
I'm so sorry that I couldn't protect you.
Are you doing all right?
Me?
I'm okay.
And what will you do now?
I gotta get out of here
somehow.
It's dangerous.
You have to be careful.
I'll find them
and
I'll make them all pay
for what they did to you.
I promise you, Taejin.
[groans]
[grunting]
[muffled shouting]
[inmate] Hey, this isn't right!
I told you I'll change the whole setup.
[inmates and guard shouting]
Shit.
[guard] Go straight ahead.
Don't let them get away.
All right?
Hey, what the fuck? What the hell is this?
You lucky prick!
Get him inside
quickly.
[inmate] Where are we going?
Come on, hurry! There's no time.
Close it.
[Yohan] Let me see. We've got 12 inmates.
Aggravated assault, threats,
severe injury.
That's a lot of convictions.
[scoffs] What a piece of work.
YEO DEOKSU
This mod boss still has
over seven years on his sentence.
RAPE WITHIN FAMILY RELATIONS
He even raped his own sister?
[laughing]
[inmates and guards shouting]
GU JIYONG
DO GANGJAE
PARK TAEJOONG
The Manipulated
["William Tell Overture"
playing over speakers]
[feedback whines loudly]
[over speakers] Did everyone sleep well?
Thank you for coming.
You must be wondering where you are
and why you're here.
Well, your time begins now.
[chuckles]
This is the land of opportunity.