The Manipulated episode 9 centers on the explosive showdown between Tae Joong and Do Kyung.
Yo Han’s (Doh Kyung Soo) manipulative schemes in The Manipulated episode 9 push Tae Joong (Ji Chang Wook) closer to the truth about Do Kyung (Lee Kwang Soo), followed by a chase across Busan. 
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From Yo Han’s twisted family revelations to Tae Joong’s explosive confrontation with Do Kyung—alliances are tested, loyalties deepen, and Tae Joong is closer to the truth.
The Manipulated Episode 9 Recap: Yo Han’s Scheme
Yo Han manipulates Tae Joong into revealing a half-truth that Do Kyung is behind his imprisonment. By hacking Tae Joong’s private Instagram and setting it to public, Yo Han ensures Tae Joong will scroll over Do Kyung’s account. 
Watching through security cameras, Yo Han whispers, “Hopefully, he’ll figure it out quickly. Now let the best man win.” His plan works—Tae Joong discovers Do Kyung’s location in Busan and heads there immediately.
The Chase
Detective Hwang (Lee Sung Woo) questions Tae Joong’s closest friends, but they reveal little beyond their failed attempts to visit him during his imprisonment. They defend Tae Joong against Hwang’s accusations, insisting he isn’t a murderer.
Their loyalty irritates Hwang, who mocks them before leaving. Soon after, Officer Yang (Kim Jae Chul) receives a chilling call from Tae Joong: “What happens when I catch the real killer?” The call abruptly ends, but it confirms Tae Joong is in Busan.
Worried for Tae Joong, Yong Sik (Kim Jong Soo) and his daughter Eun Bi (Jo Yoon Soo) track his borrowed phone. They discover Tae Joong is in Busan and rush to find him. Meanwhile, Detective Hwang and Officer Yang also pursue the lead, tracing Yong Sik’s phones to the same city.
Yo Han’s Family Secrets
At his parents’ death anniversary, Yo Han confides in his psychiatrist uncle about lingering nightmares. His relatives urge him to move on, but Yo Han only mocks their false concern.
Later, his nanny—revealed to be his biological mother— murders his aunt, exposing the twisted truth of Yo Han’s family ties. She claims she was the only one who truly cared for him, though others accuse her of exploiting his pain.
Tae Joong Meets Do Kyung
Tae Joong crashes Do Kyung’s yacht party, recording their confrontation for evidence. Do Kyung greets him mockingly, “Good to finally meet you.” He talks about living freely while Tae Joong rotted in prison. A brutal fight erupts with Do Kyung’s men. When Do Kyung calls Yo Han to report Tae Joong’s capture, Yo Han only laughs, “I was wondering who’d win.” Suspicion grows that Yo Han orchestrated the encounter.
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Do Kyung, drunk and violent, kills the women at his party before realizing police are closing in. But Tae Joong escapes with Yong Sik’s help. Officer Yang briefly intercepts them, urging surrender, but Yong Sik pleads: “If you really want to help him, let us go.” Yang relents, though Detective Hwang later confronts them—only to be knocked unconscious by Eun Bi. The trio hides at Eun Bi’s friend’s place overnight. The next morning, Yang discovers an envelope in a locker containing information on Do Kyung.
Tae Joong thanks Eun Bi for her help, while her friend teases her about possible feelings for him. Meanwhile, Yong Sik and Eun Bi share a moment over food, softening their relationship. Eun Bi admits she thinks Tae Joong is a decent man.
Do Kyung’s Rage
Reviewing CCTV footage, Do Kyung is enraged by Tae Joong’s escape. He suspects Yo Han’s involvement, to which Yo Han only replied, “So it hasn’t been decided whose prize it is.” 
Confused and furious, Do Kyung vows revenge. He orders his right-hand man, Seon Gyu (Kim Min), to put on “a good show” for Tae Joong, baiting him by posting his location online: “I’ll be waiting, delivery guy.
Will Tae Joong finally get justice, or will Do Kyung and Yo Han’s schemes destroy him first? Catch the episodes of The Manipulated on Disney+, now streaming.
Source: Disney+, @DisneyPlusKR (Official X Account)
