Pop Corner: The Manipulated Episode 4 Recap

A fight for survival leaves Tae Joong bloodied as Yo Han sets his plan in motion in The Manipulated episode 4.

In The Manipulated episode 4, as Tae Joong (Ji Chang Wook) was close to executing his plan perfectly, everything spirals when he suddenly loses consciousness just as he steps out of the prison building. Later on, he gets caught in a brutal brawl with Deok Su (Yang Dong Geun)—but proves that Deok Su isn’t the real enemy he should be fighting.

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Yet a bigger threat looms. Yo Han (Doh Kyung Soo) makes his next move, determined to bring Tae Joong under his control.

The Manipulated Episode 4 Recap: Tae Joong’s Countdown to Escape

Tae Joong vows to himself—and to his brother—that he will make those responsible pay. With 30 minutes left before the injection takes full effect, he sets his escape plan in motion. He disables the facility’s power by jamming a nail into a socket, grabs a key card from the security room, and changes into civilian clothes. Despite close calls and a suspicious officer, he slips into the ventilation ducts. Outside, Yong Sik (Kim Jong Soo) waits.

However, just as Tae Joong nears freedom, a high-pitched ringing overwhelms him. He collapses—just minutes before he gets to the food truck.

Tae Joong is found unconscious in The Manipulated episode 4, having been injected with warfarin and poisoned. Officer Yang (Kim Jae Chul) investigating believes it wasn’t a suicide attempt—Tae Joong was framed. He asks the officer Yang to thank Yong Sik: “Thank you for saving my life again.” The officer suspects it’s a secret code—but it isn’t.

A Deal with the Devil

Elsewhere, Yo Han builds a LEGO model of a mysterious facility and requests a list of clients tied to the Ministry of Justice. He hints at involving a foreign agency.

At the prison, accompanied by the commissioner (Ryu Tae Ho), Yo Han visits warden Han Hee (Lee Seo Hwan) with a bribe and a threat. He proposes a fake “environmental volunteer” program to send inmates—especially violent ones—outside the prison. If the warden refuses, he’ll be removed.

The plan is clear: Yo Han wants control of the inmates. But for what purpose?

Deok Su’s Revenge

Later on, freed by the warden, Deok Su heads straight to the infirmary to kill Tae Joong. But Tae Joong, sensing danger, sets a decoy in his bed and ambushes Deok Su from above. A brutal fight erupts. Officer Yang calls for a CRPT alert, triggering a facility-wide alarm. Deok Su’s men attack Tae Joong, leaving him bloodied and bruised.

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Eventually, it’s just Tae Joong and Deok Su. They clash violently—stabbing included. “It’s exhausting,” Tae Joong mutters. “Then put that knife down my throat,” Deok Su taunts.

Tae Joong slashes Deok Su’s ear just as the officers break in.

Yo Han’s Land of Opportunity

Yo Han’s plan unfolds. Twelve inmates—including Tae Joong and Deok Su—are selected and transported to a new facility. Dressed in white overalls with printed numbers on their backs, they arrive at a big facility.

“This is the land of opportunity,” Yo Han declares. And just like that, Tae Joong and Yo Han finally cross paths.

As the dust settles and Tae Joong steps into Yo Han’s so-called “land of opportunity,” one thing becomes clear—this is only the beginning. With Tae Joong now under Yo Han’s watch, the stakes have never been higher.

If The Manipulated episode 4 proved anything, it’s that no one escapes manipulation unscathed.

Catch the first four episodes of The Manipulated now streaming on Disney+.

Source: @DisneyPlusKR (Official X Account), Disney+