In the ever-shifting landscape of South Korean television, few dramas have captured public attention quite like ENA’s Monday-Tuesday series Climax. The show, which aired its final episode on April 14, 2026, not only delivered a narrative crescendo worthy of its name but also set new benchmarks for viewership and actor reputation in the industry. As the credits rolled on its tenth and last episode, both fans and critics were left reflecting on the intricate web of politics, power, and personal ambition that defined the series—and the real-world acclaim it generated for its stars.
According to the Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute, the buzz around Climax was not limited to its plot twists. The institute analyzed big data from March 15 to April 15, 2026, covering 100 drama actors, and calculated brand reputation indices based on participation, media coverage, communication, and community engagement. The results? Ju Ji-hoon, the actor behind the show’s central prosecutor Bang Tae-seop, clinched the top spot, while his co-star Ha Ji-won, who played actress Chu Sang-ah, secured third place—outpacing other notable names like Han Ji-min and Lee Jun-hyuk. Ha Jung-woo, meanwhile, took the second spot. While the overall brand reputation index dipped slightly compared to the previous month, the brand communication index actually rose, which the institute’s director, Koo Chang-hwan, interpreted as a positive sign for the drama’s resonance with audiences.
But what about the drama itself? Climax was nothing if not aptly named. The final episode, which aired at 10 PM on April 14, delivered a ratings high, achieving a nationwide paid platform viewership of 3.9% according to Nielsen Korea. This marked not only the series’ peak but also the top rating among Monday-Tuesday dramas at the time. In the metropolitan area, the figure nudged up to 4.0%, with peak moments in Bundang hitting 4.6% and 4.8%, respectively. For a series that started at 2.9% and fluctuated throughout its run, this was a triumphant send-off.
The finale’s plot was as tightly wound as its ratings graph. The episode saw Bang Tae-seop and Chu Sang-ah, a married couple who had spent much of the series using each other for personal gain, finally coming together in true cooperation. Their common goal: to expose the crimes of Lee Yang-mi (Cha Ju-young), a figure deeply enmeshed in both the entertainment and political worlds. The stakes couldn’t have been higher, as the revelations threatened to upend the entire presidential election.
Bang Tae-seop’s strategy was multi-layered. He provided testimony related to the Daeyang Fund to the opposition Changjo Party, putting pressure on presidential candidate Son Guk-won (Joo Jin-mo) and isolating Lee Yang-mi from the power structure that had formed around Son. At the same time, he obtained critical evidence—a USB copy left by Hwang Jung-won (Nana)—proving Lee Yang-mi’s direct involvement in the death of Park Jae-sang (Lee Ga-seop). Meanwhile, Chu Sang-ah leveraged her own records of illegal acts by conglomerates and political figures, using them to both pressure the powerful and secure the funds necessary to weaken Lee Yang-mi’s grip on the levers of influence.
The plot thickened further when Bang Tae-seop and Chu Sang-ah made a bold proposal to Son Guk-won: abandon Lee Yang-mi and join forces with them. The real bombshell, however, came during the 9 PM news broadcast, when black box evidence of Lee Yang-mi instructing others to disguise a crime as suicide was made public. This broadcast did more than just expose a single criminal act; it laid bare the tangled connections between conglomerates and politics, causing the existing power structure to collapse almost overnight. The catharsis for viewers was palpable, as years of hidden dealings and alliances were brought into the light.
As the dust settled, the show’s characters found themselves in dramatically altered circumstances. Son Guk-won emerged victorious in the presidential election, with Bang Tae-seop appointed as his chief of civil affairs—a role that put him in the public eye and sparked talk of a future presidential run. Chu Sang-ah, meanwhile, soared to new heights in her acting career, winning awards at international film festivals. Lee Yang-mi, having been sentenced to 20 years in prison for contract killing, was later released by special pardon and reached out to Chu Sang-ah, hinting at unresolved tensions and the ever-present specter of past misdeeds. The series concluded with Bang Tae-seop and Chu Sang-ah, their relationship tested but ultimately strengthened, walking hand in hand into an uncertain future.
Viewer reactions were swift and enthusiastic. According to Newsen, many praised the unexpected alliance between Tae-seop and Sang-ah, the dramatic downfall of Lee Yang-mi, and the show’s ability to tie together themes of politics, conglomerates, and personal ambition in a satisfying resolution. Comments ranged from, "Tae-seop and Sang-ah joining forces was totally unexpected," to, "Lee Yang-mi’s downfall was the most impressive part," and, "The finale neatly wrapped up stories of politics, conglomerates, and individual struggles all at once."
Yet, not all feedback was glowing. As Yonhap News pointed out, some critics argued that the drama’s treatment of past entertainment industry sponsor scandals was overly sensational. Nevertheless, the show’s ability to spark conversation and debate was, in itself, a testament to its cultural impact.
With Climax now in the rearview mirror, attention turns to what’s next for ENA’s coveted Monday-Tuesday slot. The follow-up drama, Scarecrow, is slated to premiere on April 20, 2026, at 10 PM—a tough act to follow given the bar set by its predecessor.
In the end, Climax did more than just entertain; it offered a lens into the interplay of power, ambition, and consequence, both on and off the screen. For the actors who brought these roles to life, and the viewers who followed every twist, it was a ride worth remembering.