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Climax: Ha Ji-won’s Shocking Transformation into a ‘Monster’ in Latest Drama

Daniel Kim Views  

Photo: ENA screenshot

[By Jeong Ye-won, Sports Today] Actress Ha Ji-won has reaffirmed her dominance as a drama queen with a shocking, blood-soaked performance in Climax.

In episode 3 of ENA’s Monday–Tuesday series Climax, which aired on the 23rd, Ha plays fallen actress Choo Sang-ah, peeling back layers of a secretive past and delivering one jolt after another to the home audience. The episode escalates when Park Jae-sang, about to be released from prison, threatens to expose “what kind of monster you are” unless Choo keeps her promise. Tension peaked when a recording surfaced suggesting Choo had asked Park to arrange the killing of prominent producer Oh Gwang-jae — a murder-for-hire tape that pushed the episode to a fever pitch.

The standout sequence revealed the backstory behind Choo and Oh’s bitter feud. After Oh pressured newcomer Han Ji-soo into a coercive bed scene, Choo appeared on set and confronted him, warning, “Behave yourself before you get driven out of the industry. Send the contract — I’ll cover the penalty.” Determined to protect Han, Choo spirals, storms into Oh’s hotel room and, after a brutal struggle, stabs him in the back in a frenzied act of violence. The episode closes on Choo’s blood-smeared face as she turns in terror at a knock on the door — an ending that left viewers chilled and fully immersed.

In the role, Ha Ji-won shifts seamlessly between melodrama, action and thriller, delivering a fully committed performance. Viewers have lauded her nuanced portrayal of a woman who chooses to become a “monster” to survive, with many calling Choo Sang-ah a career-defining role for the actor.

Episode 4 of Climax — which has generated weekly buzz thanks to Ha Ji-won’s daring choices — airs on the 24th at 10 p.m. KST.

[By Jeong Ye-won, Sports Today ent@stoo.com]
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Daniel Kim
content@tenbizt.com

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