Aired on the 2nd at 9:50 PM, episode 13 of the SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'Taxi Driver 3' (directed by Kang Bo-seung, written by Oh Sang-ho) featured the 'Rainbow Dark Heroes'—Do-gi (played by Lee Je-hoon), Jang Representative (Kim Eui-sung), Go-eun (Pyo Ye-jin), Choi Supervisor (Jang Hyuk-jin), and Park Supervisor (Bae Yu-ram)—as they faced off against the notorious crime syndicate 'Samheungdo Villains.' This organization, led by Go Architect (Kim Sung-kyu), Seo Hwang (Lee Kyung-young), Kim Inspector (Ji Dae-han), Fishery Owner Choi (Yoo Ji-wang), and Madam (Lee Chae-won), sets up and sells crimes to those who wish to become criminals. The episode kept viewers on the edge of their seats as the heroes initiated their revenge plan amidst a tense and precarious situation.
The episode achieved impressive ratings, peaking at 15.6%, with a metropolitan area rating of 13.5%, and an average of 4.6% among viewers aged 20-49, peaking at 5.48%. It dominated the Friday night ratings, securing the top spot in its time slot and proving its popularity.
The broadcast began by highlighting the heinous criminal activities of the 'Samheungdo Villains,' shocking viewers from the start. Upon entering Samheungdo, Kim Do-gi and Jang Representative encountered Go Architect, Kim Inspector, Fishery Owner Choi, and Madam, who were all part of the same group. They operated an entire island as their 'crime headquarters,' strictly controlling access to outsiders. They meticulously selected clients for crime consulting and ruthlessly eliminated anyone who knew their identities, maintaining a meticulously planned and ruthless organization.
The 'Rainbow Dark Heroes' began to investigate the 'Samheungdo Villains' in earnest, uncovering a shocking organizational system. Go Architect, who had introduced himself as a 'photographer,' was actually the 'Crime Architect' who wrote all the crime scenarios and sourced materials. Fishery Owner Choi's mainland sushi restaurant served as a logistics hub for distributing 'crime kits' domestically and internationally, while Madam was a crime programmer. Samheungsa was their hideout, and the numerous lanterns hanging in the main hall recorded crime consulting information as accounting ledgers.
The 'Rainbow Dark Heroes' soon faced a crisis. Jang Representative, Go-eun, Choi Supervisor, and Park Supervisor were kidnapped by the villains and faced imminent death. Meanwhile, Kim Do-gi, who was investigating Samheungsa, introduced himself as a 'crime startup hopeful' to deceive the temple's head, Seo Hwang.
Upon learning of the members' abduction, Kim Do-gi claimed that Jang Representative, Go-eun, Choi Supervisor, and Park Supervisor were his business partners. In a tense situation where Kim Do-gi had to completely deceive Go Architect, the leader of the 'Samheungdo Villains,' to save his team, he maintained his composure and skillfully evaded Go Architect's interrogation with clever storytelling and eloquence. His flawless testimony, without a hint of falsehood, dispelled Go Architect's suspicions, allowing Kim Do-gi and his team to survive.
During this time, the 'Rainbow Dark Heroes' encountered an unexpected individual. It was Reporter Bong (played by Jang Sung-won), who had survived alone after coming to Samheungdo with a senior reporter for coverage. By combining Reporter Bong's investigative findings with their own, the 'Rainbow Dark Heroes' were able to fully grasp the villains' heinous criminal activities. Reporter Bong, eager to do anything for his unjustly deceased senior, sought their help, and the 'Rainbow Dark Heroes' launched a new revenge service with him as their client.
Meanwhile, the 'Samheungdo Villains' debated whether to accept Kim Do-gi's group as clients. However, team leader Go Architect found Kim Do-gi intriguing, and Kim Do-gi's perfect performance captivated him. Ultimately, Go Architect extended his hand, saying, "I've decided to trust Mr. Kim Do-gi," and Kim Do-gi was finally recognized as a business partner, allowing him to participate in the 'Samheungdo Villains' official business presentation.
However, the tension remained high until the end. In front of Kim Do-gi, other new members were brutally murdered. This raises questions about the 'Samheungdo Villains' true intentions in inviting Kim Do-gi to the business presentation and the fate of the 'Rainbow Dark Heroes' as they begin their revenge service in the perilous den of 'Samheungdo.'
Meanwhile, SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Taxi Driver 3' follows the secretive taxi company Rainbow Transport and taxi driver Kim Do-gi as they complete acts of private revenge on behalf of unjust victims. Episode 14 is set to air on the 3rd at 9:50 PM.
Reporter Lim Chaeryeong, TENASIA syjj426@tenasia.co.kr