Actor Joo Ji Hoon is sparking a fiery response across Asia.
On March 31, ENA’s Monday–Tuesday drama Climax debuted at No. 1 in Indonesia and Thailand on Asian OTT platform Viu’s weekly chart for Week 3 of March (March 16–22). It also ranked No. 2 in Singapore, No. 4 in Malaysia and the Philippines, and No. 5 in Hong Kong—cracking the Top 5 in six key Asian markets within its first week and proving explosive early momentum.
Climax is a high-tension genre saga about prosecutor Bang Tae Seop (played by Joo Ji Hoon), who plunges into a cartel to claw his way to the pinnacle of power, and the ruthless survival game among those around him. Word of mouth is surging thanks to Joo Ji Hoon’s commanding charisma, Ha Ji Won’s powerful transformation, and a rock-solid lineup including Oh Jung Se, Nana, and Cha Joo Young.
Industry watchers say this performance is driven by the global fanbase for K-genre titles built through hits like Honour, Bloody Flower, and the Taxi Driver series. With sustained demand for genre thrills and fast-paced storytelling, the show is securing a stable viewership foundation across Asia.
Meanwhile, Climax—which tracks Joo Ji Hoon’s relentless sprint toward desire—airs every Monday and Tuesday at 10 p.m. KST on ENA, Genie TV, and Disney+. Internationally, it’s streaming on Prime Video, Viu, and Rakuten Viki.