At a press conference held Nov. 18 at SBS headquarters in Mok-dong, Seoul, the star teased, “I think we’ll hit you with a powerful alter ego right from the start. Not just me―the Rainbow Taxi family’s disguises are no joke this season. We’re bringing it hard―and in the most satisfying way.”
Based on the hit webtoon, "Taxi Driver" follows the shadowy Rainbow Taxi company and driver Kim Do-gi as they deliver vigilante justice on behalf of victims failed by the system. The SBS drama debuted in 2021, returned with a blockbuster second season in 2023 that peaked at 21% nationwide ratings, and now revs back up two years later for Season 3―stoking serious anticipation.
Kim Do-gi is a bruising dark hero with elite combat skills―and a knack for disappearing into wildly different personas. Across past arcs, Lee has slipped into everything from a swaggering kingpin to a shaman to crack cases and outwit villains, leaving fans wondering what transformations await this time around.
“Because Seasons 1 and 2 had such strong characters, I worried a lot at first about whether Season 3’s alter egos could top them,” Lee admitted. “Viewers will be coming in with high expectations, and that definitely made me nervous.”
He then dropped some tantalizing hints. “I poured everything I had into Episodes 1 and 2―it’s an international crime arc, and you can look forward to seeing which alter ego Do-gi uses to take down the bad guys. In Episodes 3 and 4, I flip it completely and play a cute, lovable persona. Personally, I’m really attached to that one. I’ve been calling the first two ‘Fortune Hunter Do-gi’ and the next two ‘Softie Do-gi.’”
“And there are plenty more characters after that,” he added. “I wish I could show you all of them right now. I hope you’ll be counting down each week for Taxi Driver 3―and for my next alter ego.”
Returning as the unbreakable “Rainbow Five” are Lee Je-hoon (as Kim Do-gi), Kim Eui-sung (as Jang, the boss), Pyo Ye-jin (Go Eun), Jang Hyuk-jin (Choi), and Bae Yoo-ram (Park). Five years in, their tight-knit, one-team chemistry promises cathartic thrills as they comfort victims and dish out payback to villains.
"Taxi Driver 3" premieres Friday, Nov. 21 at 9:50 p.m. KST on SBS, following "Would You Marry Me."
[Photo: Baik Seung-Chul]
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)