K-Drama 'Climax' Starring Ha Ji-won and Ju Ji-hoon Gains Popularity Across Asia

The ENA Monday-Tuesday drama 'Climax', starring actors Ha Ji-won and Ju Ji-hoon, is gaining popularity overseas. The drama previously made headlines for a same-sex kiss scene between Ha Ji-won and Yoon Dong-hee.

According to the weekly chart released by Viu, a leading OTT platform in Asia, for the third week of March (March 16-22), 'Climax' topped the charts in Indonesia and Thailand, ranked second in Singapore, fourth in Malaysia and the Philippines, and fifth in Hong Kong. The drama entered the top 5 in six major Asian countries within its first week of release.

'Climax' is a high-stakes narrative drama depicting the intense survival game of prosecutor Bang Tae-seop (played by Ju Ji-hoon) who joins a cartel to reach the pinnacle of power, and the people surrounding him. The drama is gaining word-of-mouth popularity due to Ju Ji-hoon's charisma, Ha Ji-won's intense transformation, and a strong lineup including Oh Jung-se, Nana, and Cha Joo-young.

This success is attributed to the global fan base of K-genre dramas, built through previous hits like 'Honor: Her Court', 'Bloody Flower', and the 'Taxi Driver' series. The demand for genre thrills and fast-paced storytelling continues, establishing a stable viewership across Asia.

Meanwhile, Viu, operated by Hong Kong's PCCW, is a leading OTT platform showcasing Korean content to global markets in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. It currently offers a variety of Korean content, including 'Climax', 'Shin & Legal Office', and the variety show 'After School Teacher Taeri'.

Reporter: Se-yoon Jung, TenAsia yoon@tenasia.co.kr