Joo Ji-hoon Dominates Drama Scene with 'Climax', Proving His Star Power

Actor Joo Ji-hoon (43) is proving his star power with the ENA Monday-Tuesday drama 'Climax', which has topped the buzzworthy charts. He has surpassed IU and Byun Woo-seok, who are set to star in the upcoming MBC romance drama '21st Century Grand Lady', drawing even more attention.

According to the Good Data Corporation's Fundex report for the third week of March, Joo Ji-hoon ranked first in the drama actor category with a 6.2% share. Following him were IU in second place, Ha Ji-won in third, Yoo Yeon-seok in fourth, Ji Soo in fifth, and Byun Woo-seok in sixth. 'Climax' also secured the top spot in the TV drama category with an 18.72% share, proving the buzzworthiness of both the show and its lead actor. The show's ratings have been on the rise, starting at 2.9% for the first episode (according to Nielsen Korea's nationwide paid household standards) and climbing to 3.8% for the second episode and 3.9% for the third.

'Climax' claimed the number one spot on Disney+'s 'Today's Top 10 Series in Korea' immediately after its release. It also topped major platforms like Naver Entertainment's 'Most Searched Dramas', Kino Lights Trend, and WatchaPedia HOT Dramas. Last year, Joo Ji-hoon swept various domestic and international charts, starting with 'Trauma Center', which ranked first in Netflix's global TV show non-English category. With 'Climax', he continues to achieve significant milestones.

In 'Climax', Joo Ji-hoon portrays Bang Tae-seop, a prosecutor from a humble background who relentlessly pursues his ambitions. He is praised for his nuanced portrayal of a character torn between a thirst for power and internal conflict, using subtle changes in his eyes and expressions to enhance each scene's intensity. The first episode's shocking whistle-blowing ending became a hot topic online.

In the third episode, aired on the 23rd, Bang Tae-seop leaves the prosecutor's office to dive into politics, confronting Park Jae-sang (played by Lee Ga-seop) with explosive energy, heightening the drama's tension. The truth behind the Oh Kwang-jae murder case is also revealed, increasing anticipation for the unfolding storyline.

'Climax' airs every Monday and Tuesday at 10 PM on ENA and is also available on KT Genie TV and Disney+.

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