Ha Ji-won Delivers a Riveting Femme Fatale Performance in 'Climax'

Actress Ha Ji-won has captivated audiences with her intense portrayal of a femme fatale in the latest episode of ENA's 'Climax'. Her character channels the grief of losing a same-sex lover, who died under coercive circumstances, into a brutal quest for revenge.

In the episode aired on the 24th, Ha Ji-won's character, Choo Sang-ah, embarks on a calculated revenge against entertainment producer Oh Kwang-jae, played by Seo Hyun-woo, who drove her cherished colleague Han Ji-soo (Han Seung-hee) to death. Sang-ah meticulously orchestrates his downfall without getting her hands dirty.

During Han Ji-soo's funeral, Sang-ah confronts Oh Kwang-jae with a slap and a chilling promise, "I'll push you to the end of hell, just wait and see." She further manipulates Park Jae-sang (Lee Ga-seop), hired to spy on her, by whispering, "I want to be your woman. I'll give you everything. So, Jae-sang, could you kill Oh Kwang-jae for me?"

Sang-ah's femme fatale allure shines through her meticulous planning post-crime. During a witness interview with prosecutor Bang Tae-seob (Joo Ji-hoon), she convincingly lies, "I didn't ask him to kill, sincerely." She further manipulates the situation by comforting Park Jae-sang's mother during a crime scene reenactment, while sending Jae-sang a poignant look to frame the incident as a solo act, showcasing her dual nature.

The plot thickens as Bang Tae-seob, who has uncovered the entire truth, proposes marriage to Sang-ah, promising to take all secrets to the grave. Sang-ah accepts, revealing a strategic marriage.

However, Sang-ah later discovers that Park Jae-sang was not the true killer of Oh Kwang-jae. In a heated argument with Bang Tae-seob, she cries out, "You were just like him. I've never escaped that day, not even for a moment." The episode concludes with Sang-ah experiencing a panic attack while driving, her mental state unraveling as she sees a news ticker labeling her a murderer and Bang Tae-seob a cover-up accomplice.

Reported by Tae Yuna, TenAsia youyou@tenasia.co.kr