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Why Cha Joo-young’s Performance in ENA’s ‘Climax’ is a Must-Watch for K-Drama Fans

Daniel Kim Views  

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Cha Joo-young in Climax / Photo: ENA

[Sports Today reporter Lim Si-ryeong] Actor Cha Joo-young delivered a densely layered performance that deftly calibrated the series’ tension.

In the ENA Monday–Tuesday drama Climax that aired on March 23, Lee Yang‑mi (Cha Joo‑young) locked horns with Bang Tae‑seop (Joo Ji‑hoon). Earlier, intent on cornering Bang Tae‑seop — who exposed Nam Hye‑hoon (Yoon Sa‑bong)’s corruption — Lee Yang‑mi tightened the pressure around Chu Sang‑ah (Ha Ji‑won).

Lee Yang‑mi drew attention when she appeared at a gathering with Kwon Jong‑wook (Oh Jung‑se) and Bang Tae‑seop. After trading barbs with Kwon, she pulled Bang outside and delivered a sharp declaration of intent.

Most notably, Lee Yang‑mi claimed responsibility for Chu Sang‑ah’s downfall and name‑checked Oh Kwang‑jae (Seo Hyun‑woo), which heightened viewers’ curiosity. She then offered Bang Tae‑seop a knowing, slightly sinister smile, suggesting he didn’t truly grasp Chu Sang‑ah’s real nature and hinting at a deeper history between them.

Lee Yang‑mi also set plans in motion to unsettle the Bang–Chu couple by enlisting Choi Ji‑ho (Oh Seung‑hoon) and Park Jae‑sang (Lee Ga‑seop). She handed Choi the fee to recruit Park and urged him to approach the assignment with greater conviction, signaling further developments to come.

Cha Joo‑young fully inhabited a character defined by blunt ambition, amplifying the show’s tension. She modulated her intensity across confrontations—at times provoking uneasy laughs, at others chilling the room—while maintaining a heavy, compelling presence.

Her control of vocal pitch, breath, and micro‑expressions brought the character vividly to life and drew viewers in. In doing so, Cha Joo‑young steered the series’ tone and proved herself indispensable.

Meanwhile, Climax, starring Cha Joo‑young, airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on ENA and is also available on KT Genie TV and Disney+.

[Sports Today reporter Lim Si-ryeong ent@stoo.com]
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Daniel Kim
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