A deadly race begins as Yo Han gathers inmates for his twisted games in The Manipulated episode 5.
As we approach the halfway point of the series, the tension escalates when Tae Joong (Ji Chang Wook) and Yo Han (Doh Kyung Soo) confront each other in The Manipulated episode 5. Tae Joong previously planned to escape, but due to unfortunate circumstances, he failed.
Also Read: Inside “The Manipulated” Starring Ji Changwook and Doh Kyungsoo
Now, Tae Joong faces an even bigger threat as Yo Han gathers inmates—including Tae Joong—for a twisted new venture: a deadly race disguised as opportunity.
The Manipulated Episode 5 Recap: How Yo Han Sculpted a “Killer”
Baek Do Kyung (Lee Kwang Soo) is on the phone—he’s drunk, high, and has blood smeared all over his face. A girl lies beside him, covered in blood. Panicked, he calls his father and asks what he should do.
At home, Yo Han takes a call from a client, who turns out to be Do Kyung’s father. In exchange for his services, he demands an expensive art piece. He assures the client he’ll take care of everything.
Back in his office, Yo Han monitors his men as they enter a crime scene. They use a projector to make it look like Yo Han was there too. It’s the same crime scene where Do Kyung killed the woman.
Yo Han observes the scene and flashes back to how he helped Do Kyung clean up the mess. “His footsteps are everywhere. I said to be careful.”
Later on, Yo Han searches CCTV footage to find a fall guy. He spots the deliveryman, Park Tae Joong. “This guy keeps popping up near this home. Bingo. Our culprit.”
And that’s how Tae Joong ended up in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.
Yo Han stalks Tae Joong for days, learning his routine. Then, he and his team break into Tae Joong’s home and garden café. They collect DNA, personal items, gloves, and even his shoes. The shoes are soaked in the victim’s blood to leave fake footprints. His fingerprints were molded into gloves, and they were planted at the scene.
His staff even manages to get his bracelet—but how they did it is so twisted, you’ll have to see it for yourself.
Yo Han delivers the perfect setup. Tae Joong goes to jail. Case closed.
Welcome to the Land of Opportunity
Back in the present, Yo Han arrives at what he calls “the land of opportunity.” Soon, the inmates he requested from the warden arrive—including Tae Joong. Clueless, the inmates follow orders and are welcomed with a feast.
Some are suspicious, others just enjoy the food. Yo Han watches from above. Later, the inmates are sent to their cells, each with a bed, pillow, and shirt. Tae Joong quietly observes.
When the lights go out, Tae Joong tries to escape. He struggles, dodging armed guards, but fails. He ends up face-to-face with Yo Han. “Out on a walk, [inmate] 2802? Come on. It wasn’t easy to bring you here, so don’t do this to me.”
Yo Han offers him a ride, but Tae Joong walks back to his cell. “So you’re the one who brought us here?” Tae Joong asks. Yo Han confirms and tells him to focus on what’s coming next.
Back in his cell, Ji Yong (Lee Jae Kyoon) urges Tae Joong to join a group planning to escape. He brings him to the party room where Deok Su (Yang Dong Geun) is waiting.
Tae Joong refuses at first but is forced to talk. Chaos breaks out. Yo Han’s men shoot in the air to warn them. Deok Su threatens Tae Joong, who cut his ear back then. “I’m sure there will be plenty of chances to return the favor.
A Twisted Race for Survival
The next morning, an alarm blares. The inmates, now in white overalls, gather outside. Yo Han greets them, “You must be wondering where you are and why you’ve been brought to this place. Well, your time begins now. This is the land of opportunity!”
Yo Han reveals that the place is a racetrack. “Each of you will drive a randomly assigned vehicle and race one another.”
One inmate protests. Yo Han immediately responds by shooting the inmate. Everyone is terrified. A truck arrives, carrying ₩5 million in cash. The prize is for whoever wins the race without any rules.
Also Read: Pop Corner: The Manipulated Episode 1 Recap: The Wrongfully Accused Park Tae Joong
Do Kyung later arrives, amazed by the setup. Yo Han explains that what’s about to happen is not just a simple race, but a dogfight. Do Kyung gets goosebumps. “I invited you here so you could witness it for yourself,” Yo Han says.
The preparation for the race begins. The prisoners drive different cars. “A prisoner may not get a good car, but that doesn’t mean they’re at a disadvantage,” Yo Han says.
He assigns Do Kyung as a founding member of the business. The plan? Use prisoners to race, attract high-rolling gamblers, and set up a betting system on the dark web.
Yo Han promises prize money to the prisoners—but laughs, unsure if anyone will even make it to the finish line.
From a meticulously planned frame-up five years ago to a present-day death race masked as redemption, Yo Han’s world is nothing like what we expect it to be.
Will Tae Joong survive Yo Han’s twisted game? Catch the episodes of The Manipulated on Disney+, now streaming.
Source: Disney+, @DisneyPlusKR (Official X Account)
