Actress Ha Ji Won revealed that she spent her hiatus deeply reflecting on herself, even considering retiring from acting altogether.
He is currently starring in the drama ENA from Monday to Tuesday Climaxpremiered March 16.
Climax tells the story of prosecutor Bang Tae Seop (played by Ju Ji Hoon), who dives into a powerful cartel to reach the top, and the intense battles for survival of those around him. Ha Ji Won plays Chu Sang Ah, a prominent actress at the peak of her career who marries Bang Tae Seop, a prosecutor from humble origins, delivering a compelling performance.
When the drama reaches its midpoint, it continues to attract strong attention due to its gripping plot and fast-paced development. Episode 7, airing April 6 at 10 p.m., is expected to mark a major turning point in the narrative.
A key factor in leadership Climax it was her chemistry with co-star Ju Ji Hoon. He had previously praised his personality as “the best.” Meeting in Seoul, Ha Ji Won replied, “When I act, I only feel comfortable when my partner is also comfortable. With Ju Ji Hoon, that synergy worked very well. We talked a lot before shooting each scene.”
He added, “There were even physical fight scenes during arguments between the married couple. Since we are both experienced, we matched so well that most of the scenes were completed in one or two takes. Even without rehearsal, it seemed perfectly synchronized.”
Since the drama lacks a soft romantic storyline between their characters, many viewers hope to see the two actors reunite in a romantic project. Ha Ji Won shared, “I would love to work with him again. It’s a bit of a shame. Since this project doesn’t have a sweet love story, I hope we can do one together next time.”
Regarding Chu Sang Ah and Bang Tae Seop’s relationship, he explained, “The unrealistic aspects are part of the narrative device of the drama. Sometimes they use each other, sometimes they rely on each other. There’s also a sense of camaraderie. Bang Tae Seop loves Sang Ah, but Sang Ah doesn’t love him. That’s how we approached the characters.”
Chu Sang Ah is a character who prioritizes survival in the industry, even abandoning his pride to cling to powerful figures. Ha Ji Won said, “Climax It’s ultimately about human relationships. It is also Sang Ah’s survival story. He is an unstable character shaped by his environment rather than a fixed identity. Since the story is about power and desire, I had to fully understand it to portray it.”
One of the most talked about scenes involved Chu Sang Ah getting hit with raw eggs. Ha Ji Won recalled, “My face became hard as if I had an egg pack on me for a long time. We had to keep spraying water during the filming. It must have been humiliating, so we rehearsed many times.”
He added, “I only got hit once, but we rehearsed dozens of times. There were expensive paintings on the set, so we had to be careful. The staff carefully calculated the angles to make the scene effective.”
His chemistry with co-star Cha Joo Young was also impeccable. “Even though we weren’t actually holding knives, the tension felt like us. The scenes are intense, almost like martial arts. Working with her and the director to build those moments was a lot of fun,” he said.
Ha Ji Won then reflected on her nearly four-year hiatus. After the film’s release Family portrait was postponed, she unintentionally stepped away from acting after the 2022 drama Curtain call.
He shared, “That period allowed me to think about myself, not as a character but as a person. I went through the roller coaster of life, asking myself who I am and why I act.”
During that time, she began to paint and explore relationships with people close to her. “I started to see myself objectively. I felt embarrassed and thought about it a lot. Looking back on my life as an actress, there were a lot of things I was ashamed of. I even thought, ‘Should I stop acting?'” he admitted.
He continued, “Living through characters made me neglect understanding myself. Now I realize that being an actor comes with a great responsibility. It’s not just about fun or interest, it’s a job that has meaning.”
Ha Ji Won said Climax aligns with the kind of human relationships stories he’s always wanted to explore. “It’s been a long time since I met fans through a project, so I was both excited and nervous. Seeing viewers appreciate it makes all the hard work worthwhile.” he added.
Debuting in 1997, Ha Ji Won will celebrate its 30th anniversary next year. “I didn’t realize how much time had passed. I was so immersed in the characters that time just flew by,” he said.
He expressed gratitude for the continued support: “During filming ClimaxI felt like a newbie again. Despite the challenges, I approached it with a new mindset. I want to continue to make good projects and show better performance.”
He added, “I’m still trying to understand myself. Maybe I’ll only really know who I am before I die. It’s not easy.”
While she hasn’t confirmed her next project, she revealed that she is receiving many offers and plans to stay active. “I want to try all genres: action, romance, historical dramas. I have a lot of passion. I liked action and now I want to show a more mature version of it.”
Known for her healthy lifestyle, Ha Ji Won shared her wellness philosophy: “Whether it’s diet, exercise or skin care, I prefer consistency over time. Looking back on the habits I’ve maintained for 10 years, I see the benefits they’ve brought me. I only believe in what I’ve proven myself.”
He also appears on the YouTube variety show Ji Won class of ’26where he experiences college life as a freshman. “It feels like I’m traveling through time, meeting myself again when I was in my twenties. It’s exciting sometimes, but also a lot of fun.” he said.
Sources: Nate
