‘Taxi Driver 3’ Premiere Details and Series Overview
The new SBS Friday-Saturday drama, ‘Taxi Driver 3’, is set to premiere on Friday, November 21st, at 9:50 PM KST. Based on the webtoon of the same name, the series revolves around the mysterious taxi company Rainbow Taxi and its driver, Kim Do-gi (played by Lee Je-hoon), who executes private acts of revenge on behalf of victims failed by the law.
The ‘Taxi Driver’ series is highly regarded as one of South Korea’s most successful seasonal dramas. Notably, the previous season, ‘Taxi Driver 2’, recorded a peak viewership rating of 21% in 2023, solidifying its status as a major IP.
Core Feature: Continuity and Teamwork of the Rainbow Taxi Crew
A key element of the series’ success is the unwavering continuity of its main cast. The Rainbow Taxi team, spearheaded by Lee Je-hoon, returns intact for Season 3, promising enhanced chemistry and refined character performance.
- Kim Do-gi (Lee Je-hoon): The central figure who carries out revenge operations, utilizing various disguises (‘sub-characters’ or ‘bukaes’) to infiltrate the villains’ worlds.
- Jang Sung-chul (Kim Eui-sung): The stable CEO of Rainbow Taxi and the moral compass of the crew.
- Go Eun (Pyo Ye-jin): The skilled hacker and strategist, responsible for the detailed planning of the revenge missions.
- Choi Joo-im (Jang Hyuk-jin) & Park Joo-im (Bae Yoo-ram): The technical experts who design and maintain the specialized vehicles and equipment.
The enduring synergy of this crew, present since Season 1, is crucial for the seamless narrative flow of ‘Taxi Driver 3’.
New Excitement: Shocking Villain Lineup and Kim Do-gi’s ‘Bukae’ Predictions
One of the most anticipated aspects of ‘Taxi Driver 3’ is its diverse cast of villains. With 6 main criminal cases slated for the season, the caliber of the actors portraying the villains is a major draw.
Noteworthy Villain Casting and Scale Predictions
- Challenging Conventions: Actors primarily known for benevolent roles, such as Jang Na-ra (9th-10th episodes) and Yoon Shi-yoon (3rd-4th episodes), are taking on villain roles. This drastic transformation is expected to deliver unforeseen malicious performances and generate significant buzz.
- Global Scope Hint: The casting of Japanese actor Sho Kasamatsu for the first two episodes suggests that Season 3 may expand its narrative beyond domestic crime to tackle international cases or transnational criminal issues.
- The Final Boss: Veteran actor Kim Jong-soo will conclude the series in the final episodes (15th-16th). Given the pattern of previous seasons, he is likely to portray the ultimate mastermind—a figure of high power or authority—setting the stage for Kim Do-gi’s most significant revenge operation.
What New ‘Bukae’ (Sub-Character) Will Kim Do-gi Adopt?
As the villains’ types and backgrounds become more diverse, Kim Do-gi’s disguises must also evolve. Following memorable transformations in Season 2, such as ‘Prince of the Desert’ and ‘Rustic Bachelor,’ fans are predicting even more spectacular roles. Could we see him as an international laborer to infiltrate global rings, a high-level politician, or a new type of corporate spy? The diversity of the villains suggests a thrilling new array of ‘bukaes’ from Lee Je-hoon.
Production Insights: Directional Shift and Artistic Completeness
‘Taxi Driver 3’ sees Director Kang Bo-seung, who served as an assistant director on Season 1, stepping up as the main director. The script is penned by Oh Sang-ho.
Director Kang emphasized that he focused heavily on “constructing the villain characters for each case” and ensuring the “artistic direction of the villains’ settings” was compelling. This suggests that the environment and visual presentation of the villains’ operations will play a key role in enhancing the drama’s suspense and overall quality.
‘Taxi Driver 3’ is poised to maintain the successful format of its predecessors while introducing enhanced production and an exciting new lineup of adversaries, promising intense catharsis for viewers. The premiere is scheduled for Friday, November 21st, at 9:50 PM KST.