Joo Ji Hoon, Ha Ji Won's 'Climax' K-Drama Ends

ENA's Monday-Tuesday drama 'Climax' concluded its run, recording a personal best viewership rating of 3.9%. The final episode depicted Bang Tae-seop (Joo Ji-hoon) and Choo Sang-ah (Ha Ji-won) collaborating to expose Lee Yang-mi's (Cha Joo-young) crimes and overturn the power structure.

Bang Tae-seop handed over evidence related to the Dae-yang Fund to the Chang-jo Party, pressuring presidential candidate Son Guk-won (Joo Jin-mo). He also secured evidence through a USB left by Hwang Jung-won (Nana) that implicated Lee Yang-mi in the death of Park Jae-sang (Lee Ga-seop). Choo Sang-ah raised funds using records of illegal activities by chaebol and political figures that she had kept since the past, weakening Lee Yang-mi's influence. Subsequently, the two proposed that Son Guk-won abandon Lee Yang-mi and cooperate with them.

Concurrently, Choo Sang-ah revealed black box evidence through a broadcasting station on the 9 o'clock news, showing Lee Yang-mi's order to 'disguise Park Jae-sang's case as a suicide.' This report exposed the interconnected structure of chaebols and politics, serving as a decisive turning point that dismantled the flow of power maintained around Lee Yang-mi.

One year later, due to the collaboration between Bang Tae-seop and Choo Sang-ah, Son Guk-won was elected president. Bang Tae-seop became Senior Secretary to the President for Civil Affairs and then ran for mayor, emerging as a candidate for the next presidential election. Choo Sang-ah reached the pinnacle of her career, winning an award at a global film festival. However, Lee Yang-mi, who had been sentenced to 20 years in prison for contract killing, was released on special pardon and called Choo Sang-ah. Bang Tae-seop and Choo Sang-ah walked together, reaffirming their relationship.

'Climax' garnered attention for its densely woven story about the vast power structure involving politics, business, and the entertainment industry, as well as the actors' passionate performances. Starting with a viewership rating of 2.9% for its first episode, it experienced fluctuations before concluding with its highest personal rating in the final episode.