Disney+ original series "The Manipulated" has reached No. 2 in the streamer's global TV rankings - a very rare late-season bump for an action-revenge K-drama. The heightened interest comes as the series delivers major revelations and ramping tension in its final episodes.

The drama revolves around Tae Jung, played by Ji Chang Wook, a family man whose life crumbles when he is wrongly imprisoned. He later finds out that Yo Han, portrayed by Do Kyung Soo, planned the incident, which serves as a catalyst for his unabated road to revenge.

According to a report from Allkpop, newly released stills for the last two episodes depict Yong Sik and Eun Bi encountering new threats as Yo Han speeds up a series of premeditated traps.

In the stills, Tae Jung can be seen confronting his enemy as he warns, "You're finished. Everything will be revealed." Other stills also show him willingly entering a police station, furthering speculation on the conclusion of the drama.

More information from WikiTree shows how the scheduled auction of the 100th work by artist Arli forms a significant plot point. This storyline weaves a continuous crime into the world of art and further complicates the web of corruption that Tae Jung and his allies need to untangle. The closer they come to the truth, the more dangerous it gets.

Another pivotal moment shows Yo Han reacting in frustration as Tae Jung's actions start to depart from his expectations, where he mutters, "Why is he walking straight into his own death?"—signaling mounting unpredictability in their conflict.

Producers previously promised Allkpop that the finale would focus on "blood-soaked battles" and intense action. That makes sense as Episodes 11 and 12 set up a full-on violent confrontation between Tae Jung—resolute to get his revenge—and Yo Han, equally determined to take him down for good this time.

Strong performances have fueled the series' momentum: Ji Chang Wook's acting as a man driven by grief and anger, coupled with Do Kyung Soo's very first full-fledged villain role, has drawn widespread praise. Supporting actors Kim Jong Soo, Cho Yun Su, and Lee Kwang Soo also add to the series' immersion.

Patrol Flix reported it placed No. 2 globally. That's a rare position for a Korean drama to achieve on its final day of broadcast. The show also seems very popular in regions like North America, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, although the exact figures are not shared by the platform.

As "The Manipulated" wraps up, industry observers say the series' strong finish may alter the direction of action-oriented K-drama productions for global streamers in the future.