Ju Ji Hoon and Ha Ji Won to lead ENA’s New Drama “Climax”

A gripping new K-drama is on the horizon, and it’s already shaping up to be one of 2026’s most anticipated releases. On November 24, ENA officially announced the cast of its upcoming survival drama “Climax,” confirming a powerhouse lineup that includes Ju Ji Hoon, Ha Ji Won, Nana, Oh Jung Se, and Cha Joo Young. The series will be directed by Lee Ji Won, whose precise visual style and sharp storytelling earned her the Baeksang Arts Awards’ New Director recognition for Miss Baek.

 

Set against the ruthless backdrop of ambition and corruption, “Climax” follows prosecutor Bang Tae Seob, who infiltrates a power-hungry cartel to claw his way to the top of South Korea’s elite. Leading man Ju Ji Hoon takes on this intense role, marking another major milestone in his career. 

 

In Climax, Bang Tae Seob is married to Chu Sang Ah, once the nation’s most celebrated actress, now diminished in status after tying the knot. Ha Ji Won steps into this layered role, signaling a notable return to the small screen after 2022.

 

The drama also features Nana as Hwang Jung Won, a covert informant who holds the key to unveiling the cartel’s darkest secrets—her knowledge becoming the “Pandora’s box” that threatens to unravel everything. Cha Joo Young portrays Lee Yang Mi, the ambitious second wife of the WR Group chairman, while Oh Jung Se plays the chairman’s eldest son, Kwon Jong Wook—her rival in the fierce succession battle within Korea’s third-largest conglomerate.

 

The production team expressed their confidence in the project, noting that Director Lee Ji Won’s refined direction paired with a cast known for their emotional depth and versatility promises a riveting, character-driven narrative. They teased that the drama’s intricate web of motives, betrayals, and desires will keep viewers fully engaged, urging audiences to look forward to what’s coming.

 

Following Ju Ji Hoon’s impressive performance in Trauma Code, which earned him the prestigious Baeksang Award for Best Actor, his role in Climax reinforces his momentum as one of the most compelling leading men today. His upcoming appearance in the adaptation of Remarried Empress has already captured global attention, making Climax just one highlight in his busy and highly anticipated slate of projects.

 

Meanwhile, Ha Ji Won’s casting marks her significant return to television after the 2022 KBS drama Curtain Call, where she starred opposite actor Kang Ha Neul. Her comeback in Climax is expected to showcase a deeper, more nuanced performance as she steps into the role of a forgotten star navigating a turbulent world of power and secrets.

 

Stay tuned as anticipation for Climax continues to build. 

 

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