Cha Joo-young's transformation in *The Glory*

Actress Cha Ju-young made a strong impression in her first appearance on ENA's Monday-Tuesday drama 'Climax' as Lee Yang-mi, the president of WR Hotel and the real power behind WR Group. Cha Ju-young exuded an unusual aura while facing Chu Sang-ah (played by Ha Ji-won), driving the tension in the drama. She captivated viewers by appearing to understand Chu Sang-ah's situation and leisurely refilling her drink, only to deliver a chilling warning that tightened the noose around her. Her scene, where she appeared at the hotel leading her secretaries, revealed Lee Yang-mi's paranoid perfectionist tendencies. Cha Ju-young was praised for vividly portraying Lee Yang-mi, who hid a sharp edge behind an elegant smile.

Ha Ji-won, playing Chu Sang-ah, a fallen "nation's first love" actress in 'Climax', skillfully led the drama by presenting a more multi-dimensional and dual-natured character, surpassing the desperate will to return shown in the first episode. Chu Sang-ah, who was engrossed in filming a low-budget project for her comeback, prioritized the staff even after suffering a knee injury. She also endured the humiliation of being doused with eggs by Lee Yang-mi (played by Cha Ju-young), the daughter-in-law of WR Group and a powerful figure in the entertainment industry. However, the drama's flow took a sudden turn as another side of Chu Sang-ah was revealed. She called a mysterious man, Park Jae-sang, who was imprisoned, and displayed a chilling, emotionless expression in stark contrast to her affectionate tone. She also directly visited Kwon Se-myung, the chairman of WR Group and Lee Yang-mi's husband, exchanging meaningful glances and amplifying curiosity about future developments.

From her first appearance in 'Climax' as Lee Yang-mi, the president of WR Hotel and the real power behind WR Group, Cha Ju-young captivated viewers. She vividly embodied a character with a sharp blade hidden behind an elegant and relaxed smile, and her expressiveness, which could shift the character's emotional temperature in an instant, heightened the drama's tension. This left a strong impression on viewers and raised expectations for Lee Yang-mi's future narrative and Cha Ju-young's excellent performance.

In 'Climax', Ha Ji-won, playing the fallen "nation's first love" actress Chu Sang-ah, mesmerized viewers with her performance that skillfully straddled the line between good and evil. Alongside her efforts to make a comeback, she delicately portrayed a dual-natured character, such as making a chilling expression while calling someone imprisoned or exchanging meaningful glances with the WR Group chairman. Furthermore, the addition of the mysterious narratives surrounding Chu Sang-ah, involving characters like Han Jeong-won, Park Jae-sang, and Kwon Se-myung, kept viewers on the edge of their seats. Ha Ji-won's bold transformation in her acting is receiving rave reviews each episode.