Tae Joong discovers the real mastermind in The Manipulated episode 10.
Power, betrayal, and vengeance collide in The Manipulated episode 10 as Yo Han (Doh Kyung Soo) tightens his web around Congressman Baek, while Tae Joong’s (Ji Chang Wook) fight for survival pushes him closer to the truth.
Also Read: Pop: Corner: The Manipulated Episode 7 Recap: Conspiracy Unmasked, Targets Revealed
Loyalties are tested, secrets unravel, and blood is spilled—leading to a chilling revelation that changes everything.
The Manipulated Episode 10 Recap: Yo Han Meets Do Kyung’s Mother
Yo Han purposely bumps into Do Kyung’s (Lee Kwang Soo) mother at a restaurant. The two talk casually as she waits for her husband to arrive, and Yo Han introduces himself as the owner of a security consulting firm. Later on, Congressman Baek arrives, clearly baffled by seeing Yo Han near his wife. Mrs. Baek (Park Mi Hyun) excuses herself, giving the two men a chance to talk. Congressman Baek asks what Yo Han’s purpose is. “I’m returning the favor,” Yo Han says. “I can track you down too, Congressman, no matter what.” He threatens the older man.
Yo Han later explains his real purpose and tells him that Tae Joong is after his son, Do Kyung. Yo Han even offers his service to the Congressman in case he needs help. The congressman scoffs, “You’ve allowed yourself to become quite deluded. You clean up shit for me after I’ve finished with it. That’s all that you’re good for.”
Yo Han only laughs, telling him he cares more about his pride than his son’s safety. The congressman threatens Yo Han that if he ever tries to go against him, he will regret it. Their conversation ends when Mrs. Baek returns. “Your insight is impressive as always, Congressman,” Yo Han bids the couple goodbye.
Later on, at Yo Han’s home, masked men arrive to attack. The system alarm alerts him, making him aware of possible danger. Watching closely from his security cameras, Yo Han mutters, “Congressman Baek, this is his way of answering.”
He grabs his katana and faces the armed men. “You shouldn’t come to someone’s house without an appointment.” Without wasting a moment, Yo Han singlehandedly defeats Baek’s hired men, killing them all—blood dripping from his katana.
Yong Sik’s Painful Past
Tae Joong and Yong Sik (Kim Jong Soo) share beers, opening up about their pasts. Yong Sik recalls how he would always come home drunk, his wife nagging him. One night turned into a nightmare when he accidentally set their house on fire, causing his wife’s death. 
“The police saw me there and assumed that I started the fire on purpose. They said a good husband would have gone in to save his wife.” Yong Sik breaks down in tears; regret etched into him. Tae Joong comforts him.
Detective Hwang’s Mission
Detective Hwang (Lee Sung Woo) updates Yo Han about his mission, saying he will catch Tae Joong soon. He is in Busan with Officer Yang (Kim Jae Chul) to search for Tae Joong once more.
Yo Han, in his office, keeps his eyes on Tae Joong. He is baffled why Yong Sik and Eun Bi (Jo Yoon Soo) are helping Tae Joong despite living separately for 20 years and only recently reuniting. He speculates their relationship is strained, yet Tae Joong seems to bind them together, confusing him even more.
Tae Joong busily crafts weapons while Eun Bi watches, amazed. She calls him for breakfast, and her friend teases her about having a crush on him.
Later, at the grocery store, Detective Hwang spots Eun Bi. Panicked, she rushes to escape. Hwang doesn’t realize she was the one who knocked him out during Tae Joong’s battle with Do Kyung. He asks if she knows Tae Joong, but she denies it and runs home.
Hwang suddenly remembers Eun Bi’s hip tattoo—realizing she is Tae Joong’s accomplice. He and Yang chase her, but she escapes. At home, Eun Bi and Yong Sik flee together, while Tae Joong escapes separately.
The police corner Eun Bi and Yong Sik. Yong Sik deflects questions, frustrating Hwang. Officer Yang urges him to be honest, but Yong Sik refuses: “Which Park Tae Joong do you mean, the one who ran away after committing a horrific murder, or the one who was falsely accused and is now desperately trying to clear his name?” Eun Bi and Yong Sik depart, while Tae Joong rides his motorcycle to escape.
Yo Han Confronts Eun Bi and Yong Sik
Back home, Eun Bi and Yong Sik find Yo Han waiting on the balcony. He assures Eun Bi that her friend just fainted but leaves a cryptic statement: “Park Tae Joong has weaseled his way out of yet another crisis.” 
Yo Han asks what Tae Joong is paying them, baffled that a fugitive could afford their loyalty. He mocks their father-daughter bond, enraging Eun Bi. He reminds her of Yong Sik’s past mistake that killed her mother, trying to sow hatred between them.
Both attack Yo Han, but he easily overpowers them. “I’m going to ask you again, what did you get from Park Tae Joong?” Yong Sik refuses to answer. Yo Han leaves, threatening them: “Since you two won’t help me out, I guess we’ll just wait and see what happens.”
The Fall of the Enemy
Tae Joong tracks Do Kyung through his SNS post and storms the location. “I was really worried you weren’t gonna show up tonight!” Do Kyung greets him. Tae Joong threatens, “It’s time to pay for all your crimes.”
Armed with a nail gun, Tae Joong shoots down Do Kyung’s men. Seon Gyu urges Do Kyung to hide, then fights Tae Joong. Though Seon Gyu (Kim Min) proves strong, Tae Joong persists, chasing Do Kyung.
Also Read: Pop Corner: The Manipulated Episode 8 Recap: A Chilling Message Points to Do Kyung
A violent car chase ensues. Tae Joong rams Do Kyung’s car, then a truck crashes into it, weakening him. Tae Joong records everything, demanding a confession. Do Kyung refuses—until he dies.
Do Kyung’s phone rings. Tae Joong answers, realizing Yo Han is the true culprit. Yo Han offers him money and partnership, promising to restore his identity. Tae Joong scoffs: “Why don’t you turn back time instead? My life was destroyed because of you.”
Yo Han gaslights him, calling him pathetic. Tae Joong vows revenge: “The next time we meet, we’ll exchange more than words.”
Yo Han’s Chilling Revelation
Later, Yo Han kills Do Kyung’s parents, revealing he murdered his own parents as a child—stabbing them 130 times. He explains how his schemes have destroyed lives. 
The final sequence shows Yo Han crashing Yong Sik’s house, burning down their the photo—a terrifying premonition that Eun Bi and Yong Sik are his next targets.
Catch the episodes of The Manipulated on Disney+, now streaming.
Source: Disney+, @DisneyPlusKR (Official X Account)
