Ha Ji-won Makes a Stunning Comeback in ENA's New Drama 'Climax'
Ha Ji-won has made a dazzling return to the small screen with ENA's new Monday-Tuesday drama 'Climax', marking the 'Queen's Return'. The actress revealed that she lost weight to portray her sensitive character. Previously, Park Min-young made headlines for her 'skinny' frame after losing weight to embody her role.

In the first episode of ENA's 'Climax', which aired on the 16th, Ha Ji-won captivated viewers with her bold transformation as 'Choo Sang-ah', a once-beloved 'nation's first love' actress who fell from grace due to a tax evasion scandal.

Ha Ji-won Makes a Stunning Comeback in ENA's New Drama 'Climax'
In the episode, Choo Sang-ah (played by Ha Ji-won), who is in self-reflection, attends a first birthday party hosted by her agency's co-representative. Despite the guests' rude requests for her to sing, she suppresses her emotions in an effort to make a comeback, drawing attention. Particularly, in front of Lee Yang-mi (played by Cha Joo-young), the wife of the third-ranked conglomerate WR Group and a powerful figure in the entertainment industry, Choo Sang-ah forces a humiliating smile, portraying the character's desperate struggle to climb back to the top with intensity, leaving a strong impression.

Her chemistry with co-star Joo Ji-hoon (playing Bang Tae-seop) was also overwhelming. At the peak of her career, Choo Sang-ah chose a strategic marriage with 'dirt spoon prosecutor' Bang Tae-seop, hiding conflicting interests with her husband, who holds secrets about WR Group's corruption, creating a tense atmosphere. After entertaining Lee Yang-mi, Choo Sang-ah confesses her hidden feelings to Bang Tae-seop at home, saying, "I feel like I could go further, but it feels like this is the end. I thought you could go all the way with me," leading to a passionate kiss and signaling the start of an intense storyline between the couple.

Ha Ji-won Makes a Stunning Comeback in ENA's New Drama 'Climax'
Towards the end of the episode, Choo Sang-ah's intense anguish and past wounds are revealed, enhancing the immersion. Upon learning that her agency junior Bae Yoon-seong promised sexual favors to Nam Hye-hoon, a close friend of Lee Yang-mi, Choo Sang-ah heads to the hotel to stop it, confronting her past trauma and breaking down mentally. Furthermore, as her husband Bang Tae-seop arrives at the hotel to raid the scene, their brief encounter in the elevator hints at unpredictable developments, heightening the tension.

As anticipation builds for Ha Ji-won's irreplaceable presence in her comeback work after four years, the second episode of ENA's 'Climax' airs tonight at 10 PM.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr
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