Climax (TV series)
2026 South Korean television series
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Climax (Korean: 클라이맥스) is a 2026 South Korean political survival noir television series directed by Lee Ji-won, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Shin Ye-seul. Starring Ju Ji-hoon, Ha Ji-won, Nana, Oh Jung-se, and Cha Joo-young, the series follows the ascent of prosecutor Bang Tae-seop as he navigates the cutthroat hierarchy of South Korea's power cartel.
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| Climax | |
|---|---|
Promotional poster | |
| Hangul | 클라이맥스 |
| RR | Keullaimaekseu |
| MR | K'ŭllaimaeksŭ |
| Genre | |
| Written by |
|
| Directed by | Lee Ji-won |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Hong Dae-sung[3] |
| Country of origin | South Korea |
| Original language | Korean |
| No. of episodes | 10 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Production companies | |
| Original release | |
| Network | |
| Release | March 16 – April 14, 2026 |
It aired on ENA from March 16, to April 14, 2026, every Monday and Tuesday at 22:00 (KST). It is available for streaming on Genie TV in South Korea and, internationally, via Disney+, Rakuten Viki, and Viu.
Synopsis
Climax unfolds against the backdrop of South Korea's powerful conglomerates and entertainment industry, following a couple driven by boundless ambition who'll stop at nothing – including betraying each other – to reach the pinnacle of success.
Cast and characters
Main
- Ju Ji-hoon as Bang Tae-seop[2]
- A political rising star and feared prosecutor in Seoam District's office. From a poor background, he worked tirelessly to become a prosecutor, only to find the office was corrupt, prioritizing money and power. So he partnered with top star Chu Sang-ah to climb the ranks.
- South Korea's top actress. Despite constant scandals surrounding her, her biggest fear is losing herself. She experienced a glamorous period, captivating audiences with her charm and aura, until announcing her marriage to Tae-seop, a prosecutor, in a sudden move that garnered significant attention. Although their marriage sparked rumors, a stronger, more persistent desire drove them. Her standing began to slip as her films flopped and a decade-old murder case regained public attention.
- A significant force in altering the cartel's power structure. Her life changed following her mother's death; she was accused of murdering her father and met Tae-seop, the prosecutor handling the case. Upon release from prison, she led a quiet life until reconnecting with Tae-seop, who recognized her intelligence and resourcefulness and recruited her as an intelligence agent.
- Oh Jung-se as Kwon Jong-wook[2]
- The eldest son of WR Group and the executive director of WR Construction. He seems elite with impressive lineage, but as he speaks, his true nature's revealed. His father remarried Yang-mi six years ago because of the hotel business. To push her out of the WR heir position, he teamed up with Bang Tae-seop, who had the same aim.
- Cha Joo-young as Lee Yang-mi[2]
- The second wife of WR Group and president of WR Hotels & Entertainment. She navigates both the power structure and South Korea's entertainment industry, with connections in each sphere. Just as everything's falling into place and her goal's within grasp, an unexpected event throws everything off balance.
Supporting
- Han Dong-hee as Han Ji-soo[4]
- Seo Hyun-woo as Oh Gwang-jae[5]
- Bae Yoon-gyu as Nam Woo-sik[6]
Production
Development
Lee Ji-won, who helmed and wrote the film Miss Baek (2018), is directing the series, and also co-wrote the script with Shin Ye-seul. The production is handled by Hive Media Corp, SLL and TME Group.[2]
Casting
In December 2023, Ju Ji-hoon reportedly received an offer as the male lead and decided to appear.[7] Ha Ji-won, Nana, Oh Jung-se, and Cha Joo-young were reportedly considering in November 2024.[8] By November 2025, Ju, Ha, Nana, Oh, and Cha were officially confirmed to lead the series.[9]
Filming
The filming of the Climax was initially scheduled to begin in the second half of 2024, but it was then moved to the first half of 2025.[7][10] Principal photography began on March 15, 2025, near Gyeonggi Province.[11]
Release
In November 2025, Climax was slated to release on ENA in 2026, and would be available to stream on Genie TV subsequently.[2] In January 2026, the series was reportedly scheduled to air in March 2026.[12] By February 2026, the series was confirmed to premiere on March 16, 2026, and will air every Monday and Tuesday at 22:00 (KST).[13] Internationally, it is available to stream on Disney+, Rakuten Viki, and Viu.[14][15][16]
Viewership
| Season | Episode number | Average | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |||
| 1 | 713 | 852 | 930 | 845 | 771 | 857 | 777 | 677 | 778 | 893 | 809 | |
| Ep. | Original broadcast date | Average audience share (Nielsen Korea)[17] | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | Seoul | ||
| 1 | March 16, 2026 | 2.919% (2nd) | 2.762% (2nd) |
| 2 | March 17, 2026 | 3.834% (2nd) | 4.075% (2nd) |
| 3 | March 23, 2026 | 3.871% (2nd) | 3.994% (1st) |
| 4 | March 24, 2026 | 3.520% (2nd) | 3.713% (1st) |
| 5 | March 30, 2026 | 3.248% (2nd) | 3.288% (2nd) |
| 6 | March 31, 2026 | 3.462% (2nd) | 3.329% (2nd) |
| 7 | April 6, 2026 | 3.133% (2nd) | 3.105% (2nd) |
| 8 | April 7, 2026 | 2.875% (2nd) | 2.775% (2nd) |
| 9 | April 13, 2026 | 3.290% (1st) | 3.001% (1st) |
| 10 | April 14, 2026 | 3.920% (1st) | 4.000% (1st) |
| Average | 3.407% | 3.404% | |
