Interview with The Manipulated stars Ji Chang-wook, EXO’s DO and Lee Kwang-soo

Key Concepts

• Character Roles: Tae-jung (박태중), Yo-han (안요한), Baek Do-kyung (백도경)
• Filming Experience: Loneliness, exhaustion, tension, professionalism, growth
• Action Sequences: Diverse stages, new types of action, racing scenes
• Series Appeal: Gripping, binge-worthy

Character Portrayals and Filming Experiences

The actors discuss their roles and the filming process for the series "Sculpted City" (조각 도시).

• Park Tae-jung (박태중): Played by an actor who describes his character as a diligent and ordinary person, representing the average individual.
• Ahn Yo-han (안요한): Portrayed by Do Kyung-soo (도경수), who plays a villainous designer responsible for orchestrating events and manipulating people.
• Baek Do-kyung (백도경): The actor playing this role is a VIP client of Yo-han, possessing significant power and authority.

The actors shared their experiences during filming, highlighting a sense of loneliness due to limited opportunities for extensive group filming. One actor mentioned, "Personally, I was a bit lonely. If we had met and filmed together more, it would have been much more fun. So, while it was very fun when we did meet, I do have a lingering memory of being a bit lonely." Another actor echoed this sentiment, stating, "I was lonely too. Yes. I was lonely too."

Despite the individual feelings of loneliness, the overall atmosphere on set was one of intense focus and professionalism. The demanding nature of the content, which included suspenseful narratives and potentially dangerous action sequences, meant that the director, actors, and staff were constantly on edge. This prevented casual joking or lightheartedness, with everyone dedicating themselves to their roles from beginning to end. The actors believe this dedication has translated well into the final product, making them anticipate its release.

One actor noted that while they were personally exhausted and often the one "handling the hardship," seeing Kyung-soo and Kwang-soo leave work with bright expressions made them feel a pang of loneliness and bitterness.

Professionalism and Growth

The actors expressed admiration for each other's professionalism and the unexpected depth they brought to their characters.

• Surprise at Performances: One actor was particularly impressed by how the other actors brought characters like Yo-han and Baek Do-kyung to life on set, exceeding their initial expectations.
• Learning from Peers: Do Kyung-soo mentioned that while he is personally close with the older actors, he was curious about their professional demeanor on set. Witnessing their professionalism provided him with significant learning opportunities.
• Reunion After a Decade: Two actors reunited for this project after approximately ten years. They reflected on how both had aged and grown individually over the past decade, making their reunion in new roles a deeply moving and memorable experience. One actor stated, "It's been about 10 years since we both met again in a project. Over these 10 years, we've both aged and grown individually, and meeting again as different characters felt personally very fresh, and I felt a strange sense of emotion and gratitude."

Action and Series Appeal

The series is described as featuring dynamic and engaging action sequences.

• Diverse Action: The action is characterized by breaking through various stages and showcasing different types of combat, distinct from previous action roles.
• New Visuals: Viewers can expect to see novel racing scenes and other visually spectacular sequences that haven't been seen before.
• Binge-Worthy Content: The series is highly recommended for its ability to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. One actor described it as a work that, "from beginning to end, will make you sweat with anticipation and, once you start episode one, you won't be able to stop watching until the end, without any breaks."

Synthesis/Conclusion

The YouTube video transcript reveals insights into the filming of a suspenseful series, "Sculpted City." The actors discuss their characters, ranging from an ordinary individual to a manipulative designer and a powerful client. Despite individual feelings of loneliness stemming from limited group filming, the set was characterized by intense professionalism and dedication from everyone involved. The actors expressed mutual admiration for each other's performances and the growth they've experienced, particularly highlighting a reunion after a decade. The series promises a compelling narrative with diverse and visually striking action sequences, including novel racing scenes, designed to be a thoroughly engaging and binge-worthy experience for the audience.