The Manipulated (2025) s01e07 Episode Script

[theme music playing]
The Manipulated
[intense music playing]
[engine revving]
[Taejoong grunting]
[groans]
[panting]
[tense electronic music playing]
[music intensifies]
[panting heavily]
The Manipulated
[breathing heavily]
[somber music playing]
[heavy thump on door]
Specialized Repair Shop
-Oh!
-Hey.
Taejoong! [grunts]
-[Taejoong groaning]
-Are you hurt?
What the heck happened to you?
[rain pattering on windows]
[Taejoong exhales]
Why'd you have to go and ruin everything?
Don't worry. I'll make sure
this never gets out.
It's just my superiors have been
asking for a report,
and I'm not sure what to put in it.
I don't know if I can delay it
any further.
-What's the issue?
-I'm worried.
I don't want my neck on the line.
It just so happened all the inmates
died in a freak accident.
How could you have foreseen a gas leak?
Plus, the higher-ups won't even care,
since they're saving on taxes.
They won't bother asking questions,
so you'll be fine.
What about Inmate 2802?
[laughing]
I still can't believe he got away.
Destroyed my little playground
and everything.
[quiet foreboding music playing]
[chuckles]
We have to find that piece of shit.
Should I alert the media?
Didn't you hear what I said earlier?
I don't want this out there.
-Sorry. That was a bad idea.
-Why so nervous?
Don't you trust me?
I don't know what I was thinking.
I'll do as you say. I trust you.
[releases hold]
I wonder
Now that he's made it out,
what do you think his next move is?
Sir?
You're dismissed.
All-Purpose General Electric
[tense music playing]
-Tell me not to wait for you.
-[men clamor]
I'll find them. I'll make them all pay
for what they did to you.
-[tires squeal]
-[Yohan] This is the land of opportunity.
-[gunshot]
-[glass shatters]
[busy traffic outside]
[exhales heavily]
[grunts]
-[footsteps approach]
-[Yongsik] Oh. You awake?
-[Taejoong groans]
-Hang on. Hey, hey.
[Taejoong grunts]
-You sleep okay?
-Yeah. Oh, my head.
-[Yongsik sighs]
-[Taejoon grunts]
[exhales heavily] Are you feeling better?
Yeah.
[Taejoong sighs]
Sorry I startled you last night.
You must have been shocked.
Well, you did show up
and scare me half to death
but I'll live. [chuckles]
Oh. Here.
Eat some food, okay?
While it's still hot.
Come on. Don't be shy.
I attempted to visit you
multiple times, but
they wouldn't let me in,
and wouldn't give me a reason.
I was thinking that
something horrible happened to you.
Sorry I made you worry
about me like that.
I have a million questions,
but this is the most important one.
What do you plan on doing next?
[Taejoong sighs]
Whatever it is, do it here.
I'm not comfortable with that.
What if you get in trouble
for being my accomplice?
I don't know what you mean.
You suddenly barged into my store
and threatened to kill me
if I didn't help you.
I had no choice but to co-operate.
How am I an accomplice?
Taejoong, you didn't come here
on your own.
God sent you here
because it's part of his plan.
Hmm?
[clears throat]
This is for you.
Take it.
[Taejoong] Are you sure?
[sighs]
Should we say I took this phone
from you by force?
This can stay between us.
[chuckles weakly]
You need to get your strength back,
so hurry up and eat.
[melancholy music playing]
Born March 24, 1965 The Late Shin Jiyoung
Passed Away August 22, 2015
Born November 8, 1998 The Late Park Taejin
Passed Away October 4, 2020
Search Kim Sangrak
Kim Sangrak Theater actor
Kim Sangrak Lawyer
Registered Criminal Law Specialst
Lawyer Kim Sangrak
I'm a public defender.
I'm not some hotshot lawyer.
[tires squeal]
[car locks]
Shit.
[breathing heavily]
-What the fuck?
-[phone dials]
Get over here!
[running footsteps echoing]
[running footsteps continue]
[laughs weakly] It was nothing.
[tense music intensifies]
Park Taejoong?
[gasps]
[yelps, grunts]
[yells]
[groans]
Remember me?
I told you I'd find you, didn't I?
I told you, I'm not the one
making the calls.
I was just following orders from above.
Oh, really? Who's giving you orders?
If I tell you that, they will kill me.
-[groans]
-Tell me
-[groaning] Hold on.
-before I lose my patience.
Wait a second. Hang on, please. Spare me.
[Taejoong grunts]
I don't want to die like this.
Please spare me.
Talk!
Don't you get it?
I can't tell you-- [grunts]
[breathing heavily]
Shit.
[files clattering]
Personal Information So Hyeonjeong
Who the hell is this?
What do you want with this person?
I have no idea.
-[Taejoong grunts]
-[yells]
Don't lie to me.
Her name is So Hyeonjung.
She's the next victim. [gasps for breath]
They'll begin sculpting with her soon.
What does that mean?
I can't tell you [groans sharply]
What is "sculpting"?
[groaning] We're creating evidence to use.
When a client commits murder, they look
for a victim to be the scapegoat.
Bingo. Our culprit.
That's how they begin sculpting the story,
-by collecting what they need.
-What do you mean?
What do they collect?
Everything, from everyday household trash
to cigarette butts.
They collect anything
that could be linked to the victim,
then it's planted at the crime scene.
[breath trembling]
That's how we were able to frame you.
The better the evidence,
the better the fall, you cock-sucker!
Finally. What took you so fucking long?
Of course he doesn't show up
until I've already talked.
[both grunting]
-It's you.
-[laughs madly]
[strains, grunts]
[groans]
Can you stop fucking around
and kill the guy?
Hey. A fucking loser like you
can't do shit about any of this.
-[man screams]
-Do you hear me?
[bat clatters]
-Fucking bastard.
-[grunts]
Do you understand
whose business you're fucking with?
[Taejoong grunts]
Now I have to do my job
and get rid of you.
-[yells]
-[both grunting]
What about Taejin?
Was he killed
because you were just doing your job?
[Sangrak groaning]
You killed him, didn't you?
Fucking piece of shit.
Shut up.
Want to know who killed your brother?
Look behind you.
That's who killed him, you fucking idiot.
[intense music playing]
[Taejoong grunts]
[man laughs]
[Taejoong yelling]
[device beeping rapidly]
-[Taejoong groans]
-[car alarm blaring]
[objects crash down]
[Taejoong groaning]
[crashing echoing in distance]
[tense music playing]
[people panicking]
[grunting]
[panting heavily]
-[glass shatters]
-[people exclaim]
[people exclaiming]
[sirens approaching]
-[men grunting]
-[metal clashing]
[tense music playing]
[fighter groans]
[fighters panting, groaning softly]
What's wrong?
[fighter panting]
[fighter yells in pain]
Instead of running like a coward,
you should die with some honor.
[cell phone vibrating]
[fighter continues groaning]
Director Woo
Yes?
He got away?
[tense music playing]
It's fine.
[phone case snaps shut]
It seems like you're a little upset.
It tastes bad. Has it gone sour?
You should dispose of it.
Yes, sir. Leave it to me.
I'm going for a walk.
[man breathing heavily]
[suspenseful music playing]
[exhales heavily] Dammit.
[weapon unsheathes]
-You look worn out.
-Ha.
[grunting]
[man yells in pain, whimpers]
[both grunting]
[man straining]
[man groans]
[man continues groaning]
[blood trickling]
[man groaning weakly]
[Yohan] I'm giving you
a good severance package.
Write the name of the person
you want to give it to.
Bastard.
[pen clatters]
-Fine, then.
-[knife stabs]
[defeated man gasping]
[music intensifies]
-[knife moving against flesh]
-[defeated man gasping weakly]
-[knife stabs]
-[gasping stops]
[knife stabbing]
[Yohan laughing]
[breathing heavily]
[yells triumphantly]
[sinister music playing]
[laughing, panting]
I feel better now.
[phone dials]
I need you again.
I've made a mess.
Just dispose of the trash.
We can hire another.
Audit Team 1
[indistinct office discussions]
As of now, the disciplinary action
for unauthorized disclosure
of investigative information
and bribery allegations is withdrawn.
[closes file]
There's just one thing left.
Sign below, and we're done.
[Detective Hwang sighs]
Hwang Ilguk
At least tell me why.
All because I received
a little extra money?
That's why you tore me apart?
I know there's a reason you're doing this.
What do you want in exchange?
"5283."
[rain falling heavily]
Ah, shit. I hate rain.
What a nice car.
Ah, fuck.
I'm sure you must be frustrated.
I'm here to help you,
but I need you to do me a favor
in exchange.
You good with that?
So you saved my ass, huh?
I'll make sure
you're taken care of, though.
Just ensure that you get
this job done first,
and once that's finished,
I'll do whatever you need.
I promise you
they won't look into you anymore.
In addition to that,
how does a promotion sound?
Interested?
Okay, so what do you need me to do?
To track someone down.
All-Purpose General Electric
[Taejoong, on recording]
What does that mean? What is "sculpting"?
[Sangrak, on recording]
We're creating evidence to use.
When a client commits murder,
they look for a victim
to be the scapegoat.
That's how they begin sculpting the story,
by collecting what they need.
Wait, you mean to tell me this is real?
Yeah. She's the next target.
Her name is So Hyeonjung.
I'm guessing they've already started
tracking her movements,
just like they did with me.
Everything okay?
Not sure.
I want to see if she's all right.
Is everything okay with you?
-What?
-Are you doing okay with all of this?
All of what?
-Wait, what? What's going on?
-Come here, you poor thing.
I can't imagine what you're going through.
All this time being punished
for something you didn't do.
[tearfully] It must have felt like
the world was crumbling around you.
-I'm sorry.
-Why are you apologizing?
-[Yongsik] I'm so sorry.
-My back!
-Wait, wait, wait. It hurts.
-Oh, right.
-[Taejoong groans]
-Sorry. Are you all right?
-It's fine.
-I should get you an icepack or something.
I'm sorry.
From now on, stay with me
and work from here,
and I'll help you
with anything you need, okay?
How do I get this thing to work?
-[Yongsik] Hit the power.
-It's on.
-Is it plugged in?
-Yeah.
Then it's probably an issue with this.
[Yongsik clicking mouse]
It'll work once I connect it on here.
Hold on a second.
[Cheolhwan] We need to
investigate the inmates.
-I told you "no."
-We have to figure out what happened.
Just let it go.
Can't you let me interrogate
the inmates who made it back?
Hey. Jeez.
For us to figure out how 2802 escaped,
we need testimonies
from those who were there,
and we can't ask them.
They're in a special unit.
-Why were they put there?
-I told you. They needed intensive care.
That's bull
-Then they should be sent to a hospital.
-I'm just following orders, like you.
-Then who's--
-[radio beeps]
[man on radio]
The warden is requesting you.
If you've got a problem, take it up
with the warden yourself. I've had enough.
[sighs exaggeratedly]
-[knock on door]
-[warden] Come in.
-[Cheolhwan exhales]
-This is Detective Hwang.
-He's investigating inmate 2802's escape.
-[Cheolhwan] I see.
Help him out with whatever he needs.
Actually, I wanted to speak to you
about that myself.
-Don't bother.
-I want to gather witness statements,
but Officer Kang won't--
-I'm the one who gave him that order.
-What?
If you keep asking around,
word is gonna spread.
We need to handle this discreetly.
Are you kidding me?
We should at least interrogate those--
Stop wasting your time on that.
Focus on catching the one that escaped.
Why can't you just do what you're told?
-Warden
-Enough.
Inmate 2802 Park Taejoong
I need you to show me
where that scumbag stayed.
[exhales]
It's here.
Move.
Daily Routine Plan
Oh! [chuckles]
Look at this son-of-a-bitch. Wow.
He really followed
a strict schedule, didn't he?
Fucking crazy.
That's Park Taejoong.
He was a model prisoner.
Did he ever have any visitors?
What's this? Jackpot.
He hid it well. Wow.
He has no family.
He had friends that came by frequently,
but he refused their visits
and shut them out.
Would you like to look
at the visitors' log?
Those were important to him,
so be careful.
Who cares? He's a fucking inmate.
-[continues reading]
-[sighs]
Looks like he was going over all of
these case documents quite obsessively.
They're so worn out.
"Park Taejoong, semen, 99%."
Think he forgot this?
Well, why don't you ask him yourself
when you catch him?
Huh.
[chuckles]
-[shop door jangles]
-[child] Hi, Mommy!
-Hi, sweetheart.
-I brought the mail in for you.
-Here.
-Oh, yeah? Thank you.
-You're so thoughtful.
-[giggles]
Overdue Payment Notice
Overdue Payment (Final) Notice
Hey, there you are.
-[customer] Sorry I'm late.
-It's okay.
[customer] I'd love to touch up my roots.
[Hyeonjung] Again? It's only been a month.
Seoyun, go inside and do your homework.
[Seoyun] Okay.
[suspenseful music playing]
[screen beeps]
[screen beeps]
[screen beeps]
[screen whooshes]
Chansol Oriental Medicine Hospital
[tuts] What a pity.
Poor kid is sick.
[tense music playing]
[Yongsik] Let me get this straight.
So, there are guys following this woman
and tracking everything she's doing?
[Taejoong] Yeah, I think so.
So, then, how are we supposed to find
the people who are following her?
We're gonna play the same game.
[Yongsik] Hey, Taejoong,
here's everything.
I'm not sure why you asked
for all this stuff.
Well, check this out.
I can use this stuff
to build some cameras.
Hopefully they'll catch
at least one of those guys.
[Yongsik] Ah.
-These still good?
-[Yongsik] I think so.
[Taejoong] That'll work.
[components rattle]
[energizing music playing]
Ah.
[chuckles] You should be the one
running this store. Wow.
How'd you think of this?
Here. I want you to have this.
-What's that for?
-Whatever you need.
-Oh, it's okay. I can't take that.
-Of course you can.
I want to help you pay for things.
-Come on.
-No, really, it's fine.
Don't be so stubborn,
and take it already, please.
-Come on, now.
-No, I
Why do you store your money
in there like that?
Oh, you know, in case someone robs me.
[Yongsik chuckles, sighs]
You never saw this, okay?
Do Not Use
[device beeps]
[device beeps]
[continues clicking mouse rapidly]
[door creaks]
[breathing heavily]
[intruder] Why bother hiding it?
Ninety one hundred thousand. All right.
-[Taejoong] Excuse me.
-Oh, shit!
Who the fuck are you?
Can you please return that?
Exactly where you found it, okay?
[scoffs] Or what?
I don't even know who you are.
[Taejoong sighs] Hang on. Wait.
-Let go!
-[Taejoong grunts]
-Who do you think you are?
-[Taejoong grunts]
-[objects clatter]
-[intruder coughing]
-Little shit. Who do you think you are?
-What the fuck?
-[door creaks]
-I didn't know what size you were, so
-[intruder] Shit.
-Look. Caught a thief in your store.
Who raised you? Shame on you.
Let me go. [continues coughing]
Eunbi? I
-What? Eun
-[Eunbi] Shit.
[sighs] Oh, shit.
Sorry. Let me introduce you two.
This is the guy I met in prison.
His name is Taejoong
-What's your last name?
-It's Park.
Right. Park Taejoong. This is my daughter.
Who the fuck are you calling
your daughter?
Hey, it's rude to stare. Look away.
[scoffs] That's what I thought.
What a happy reunion.
Bet you really missed your son.
That a "welcome home" present?
Well, he doesn't have
any other clothes, so
[Taejoong] Ah, shit.
[Eunbi] Hey.
Come out. We need to talk.
[Yongsik] It's okay.
Oh, jeez.
Where are we going?
[Eunbi exhales slowly]
Hey, so, earlier
I'm sorry for doing that.
-I
-Whatever.
You have nowhere to live, right?
Is that why you're freeloading? Huh?
No, I Your dad was helping me.
You have to pay if you stay.
Uh, 250,000 a week, upfront.
Take it or leave it. You got cash?
Shit.
Wait
I'll come every Thursday
to collect the rent.
So have the money ready in advance.
-That's more than
-Consider the rest as your deposit.
What? Fuck off.
-Oh, wait. One more thing.
-What?
-[Taejoong groaning]
-[Eunbi] Shit.
Now we're even.
-Don't snitch on me.
-I can't believe
Get back here. [groaning]
Oh, shit, that hurt.
[Yongsik] Hey.
You okay?
-She beat you up?
-Me?
No, of of course not.
Right. Did she ask for money?
-Yeah.
-How much?
[sighs] Well, uh
two hundred fifty a week.
Two hundred fifty thou
[croaks speechlessly]
She's a nice kid, I swear.
I haven't been a great dad.
She has a good heart, but [sighs]
[softly] More like a shitty heart.
-Huh? What?
-What?
I said, "She has a
shining heart."
"Shining"?
[doctor] Here you go.
Apparently this is that lawyer who met
with Park Taejoong in prison.
[coughing]
[chuckles]
Park Taejoong. That bastard.
As soon as he escapes, he does this?
[Cheolhwan coughing, groaning]
So you mean [coughs] you're positive
it was 2802 who did this?
I received this picture earlier.
Doesn't he look familiar?
It resembles him a little,
but I can't be sure because it's blurry.
[chuckles] Is that right?
I knew exactly who it was.
Can you really not tell?
[clears throat]
So, what's the plan now?
Well, it seems he was close
with a guy who's been released.
Noh? Noh Yongsik?
Let's pay him a visit.
[door opens]
Did you stay up all night?
[wearily] I managed to get
a little rest earlier.
[sighs] Taejoong, your body
isn't fully recovered yet.
Don't push yourself too hard.
-Don't worry. I feel okay.
-You need rest.
[Taejoong drinks]
Where do we even begin?
How are we supposed to figure out
who the bad guys are
-when there's so many people?
-[Taejoong] I think I've found them.
[suspenseful music playing]
-You did?
-Yeah.
I caught something interesting
on the cameras.
[Yongsik] What?
-You see this?
-Yeah.
Over here. This person, and this car.
Every time that So Hyeonjung
showed up on the cameras, so did they,
and they all left when she did.
So these people are definitely
the ones behind this?
[sighs] We're slowly figuring this out,
but I still don't understand something.
And what's that?
-The victim's phone.
-What about it?
I never had the phone
until I found it that night,
so how did the data show
that I had it longer than that?
It perfectly matched
your movements, right?
It's like it followed you around.
What?
-You're brilliant.
-Why?
Look.
See this? Here.
[Yongsik] Oh. Is that So Hyeonjung there?
Yeah. See this motorcycle?
Looks like someone was
following her constantly.
They probably did
the exact same thing to you, right?
I have to get to her before it's too late.
[exhales heavily]
[foreboding music playing]
All we have to do is swap those out.
Last piece.
[cell phone vibrating]
Mobile Phone Unknown Caller
Good afternoon, sir.
-Where's your mom? Is she here?
-No, but she should be coming back soon.
From where?
Your mom, where did she go?
Some lady forgot her cell phone here,
so she's taking it to her.
Some
[exhales heavily]
You can wait here, if you want.
Well, actually, did your mom tell you
where she was going?
Seju Shopping Center
Parking Lot
Oh. Saeju shopping center parking lot.
[tense music playing]
[line ringing]
[Seoyun] Hello?
-Who is this?
-[sighs] Shit.
[Seoyun] I'm sorry, but my mom will be--
[engine revs]
[groans] Oh, no. Well, that's not good.
-[banging on door]
-Coming.
-Oh, Officer.
-[Cheolhwan] How have you been?
Coming through. Move.
-Uh, hey
-What's that smell?
Can I help you with something?
[suspenseful music playing]
Yes. Yes, I'm getting off the bus now.
Are you here?
Do I walk over?
No, it's okay. It's not an issue.
I can go over to you. Stay there.
Okay, got it.
See you then.
[Hwang] You know Park Taejoong, right?
I heard you were close.
Have you had any contact
with him recently?
You don't look surprised
that I'm bringing him up.
Something you want to tell me?
[woman] Miss? Excuse me. Hello.
-Oh, is the phone yours?
-It is.
[claps hands] Whenever I'm talking,
you better look at me.
The Manipulated