The highly anticipated third season of the hit Korean drama 'Taxi Driver' has made a commanding return to television, continuing the franchise's impressive track record of strong ratings and widespread social media buzz. The series, which focuses on real-world crimes and vigilante justice, has once again captured viewers' attention with its compelling storylines and darker villain portrayals.
The drama follows the story of Rainbow Taxi, a mysterious taxi company, and its driver Kim Do-gi, portrayed by Lee Je-hoon, as they seek revenge on behalf of victims who have been failed by the justice system. The series has consistently delivered impressive ratings throughout its run, with the first season opening at 10 percent viewership and closing at 16 percent, while the second season premiered at 12 percent and reached a peak of 25.6 percent, establishing itself as one of SBS's most successful programs.
A significant part of the series' appeal lies in its dramatization of crimes that resonate with Korean audiences, including child abuse cases, cult exploitation, elderly fraud schemes, illegal housing scams, sex-trafficking chatrooms, and medical ghost surgeries. Viewers have praised the show for providing a sense of emotional release and satisfaction when confronting unresolved societal injustices that mirror real-life incidents.
The franchise's international success has been particularly notable, with 'Taxi Driver 2' becoming a major overseas hit. In February 2023, the series achieved the number one position in daily viewership across Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, while also securing top 10 rankings in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore, demonstrating its broad appeal across Asian markets.
Season 3 arrives approximately two years and six months after the previous season's finale, which concluded with the memorable line, 'As long as the phone keeps ringing, the ride continues,' effectively teasing viewers about the continuation of the story. The opening episodes focus on the team's efforts to dismantle Neko Money, a global illegal loan and human-trafficking organization that presents new challenges for the protagonists.
The new season features Japanese actor Shô Kasamatsu, who has recently appeared in the Disney series 'Gannibal' and the Netflix film 'Good News,' making a striking debut as part of the expanded villain lineup. His inclusion adds an international dimension to the cast and promises to bring fresh dynamics to the storyline.
The season premiered with ratings of 9.5 percent for the first episode and 9 percent for the second episode. While these numbers are slightly lower than the previous season's opening performance, the show still significantly outperformed other new weekend dramas, including 'Queen Mantis,' which started at 7.1 percent, and its predecessor 'Would You Marry Me?' which began with 5.6 percent viewership. According to Nielsen Korea's data, 'Taxi Driver 3' secured the number one ranking among weekly miniseries and dominated viewership among audiences aged 20 to 49, achieving an average of 3.3 percent and peaking at 4.41 percent in this key demographic.
The franchise stands out in the Korean drama industry for maintaining its original cast across three consecutive seasons, which is considered highly unusual in Korean drama production. Lee Je-hoon and the ensemble cast of Rainbow Taxi members continue to receive praise for their strong chemistry and collaborative performances, while anticipation builds regarding how the show will escalate its portrayal of increasingly sophisticated and dangerous villains.
Producers have generated additional excitement by releasing promotional materials showcasing six new antagonists, each with distinct personalities and styles, suggesting a more unpredictable and diverse lineup of adversaries. The production team announced that actor Yoon Si-yoon will make his appearance as a villain in Episode 3, which is scheduled to air on Friday.
Regarding Yoon Si-yoon's upcoming role, the production team revealed his extraordinary dedication to the character, stating, 'Yoon Si-yoon showed extraordinary commitment, even voluntarily undergoing extreme weight loss to embody the character.' This transformation has raised expectations among fans and critics for what promises to be a dramatically different and compelling performance that could set new standards for villain portrayals in the series.
