The secret story revealed by the writer of ‘Model Taxi 2’

Oh Sang-ho, the writer of the 'Model Taxi' series, revealed that in Season 2, he tried to find both fun and meaning by reducing the elements of secondary harm to the victims while giving strength to secondary character play. Writer Oh Sang-ho, who wrote 'Model Taxi' from Season 1 to Season 2, expressed his gratitude, saying that he would like to work with the five members of 'Rainbow Transport', Lee Je-hoon, Kim Ui-seong, Pyo Ye-jin, Jang Hyuk-jin, and Bae Yu-ram, in Season 3 as well.

SBS' Friday-Saturday drama 'Model Taxi 2' is a private revenge drama in which a mysterious taxi company, Rainbow Transportation, and taxi driver Kim Do-gi (Lee Je-hoon) complete revenge on behalf of wronged victims. In the 10th episode, it already surpassed Season 1's highest record of 16.0%, reaching 17.7%, and the final episode, the 16th episode, achieved 21.0%. In a written interview with Ten Asia, writer Oh Sang-ho said, "Season 2 was able to be made because of the interest and support shown by viewers during Season 1, and I am just grateful that Season 2 was also loved so much."

Following Season 1, 'Model Taxi 2' featured an episode in which criminals were punished based on real events. The refreshing retribution provided viewers with fun while also giving them something to think about. Writer Oh Sang-ho said, "I think 'Model Taxi' is a fable of our times. I believe that it has the power to satirize reality and fight against absurdity through humor. So, it is important to keep the virtues of the crime entertainment genre, but not avoid them or go out of style. “We set a standard. I think we thought about how much it would be best to go into each episode,” he said. Also, "The keywords of season 2 were 'a feast of side characters' and 'memory'. The central message was that there are things that can be recovered only when remembered, and the concern of looking back on the events that we had buried and moved on. “We decided on the episodes for Season 2 and worked on them,” he said.

Since it was based on a real incident, we paid attention to providing the fun unique to the crime entertainment genre while being cautious about secondary damage. Writer Oh Sang-ho said, "Reality is more cruel and scary. If an incident comes to mind, it is a very unfortunate and scary thing. Shouldn't we remember it for a long time so that it doesn't repeat itself?" He also emphasized, "In Season 1, when depicting the damage, I heard that it was too cruel or that there were many secondary harm elements in the description of the damage. In this regard, in Season 2, more emphasis was placed on the secondary character play rather than the depiction of the damage." . Writer Oh Sang-ho made a surprise special appearance in the final episode as a bartender, adding to the fun.

Not only directing and writing, but also the performances of the actors are one of the reasons for the success of 'Model Taxi 2'. Regarding working with the ‘Rainbow Luck Five’ following Season 1, writer Oh Sang-ho said, “I was so happy and grateful to meet them again,” and added, “I had pictures of the actors posted in my studio throughout the work, and it gave me strength every time I saw them. “I think there’s a lot of luck,” he said. He continued, "The actors trusted me unconditionally. When handed the script, there was no opinion that it would be better to do it this way or that way. 'Whatever is in the script, I will show you that I can do it.' That's what Je-hoon said to me. That's not an expression. “But I think the same was true for other Rainbow family members,” he said, expressing his gratitude. He confessed, "It was the greatest honor I could feel as a writer, but it was also a burden at the same time. I couldn't hand out a measly script to people who put such tremendous trust in me."

Lee Je-hoon transformed into various secondary characters in each episode, such as 'Prisoner Dogi', 'Shaman Dogi', and 'Farmer Dogi', and set out to punish the perpetrators. Writer Oh Sang-ho said, “I was truly amazed by Lee Je-hoon’s secondary character plays created through his worries and efforts.” In addition, “In addition to Do-gi, Kim Eui-seong who played Old Man Jang, Pyo Ye-jin who showed great charm as a newlywed couple, Bae Yu-ram who disguised himself as a pure white Christian, and Jang Hyuk-jin who played a great role disguised as a monk’s helper all filled in the blank parts of the script that were lacking.” He said thank you. He continued, "The moments that always impressed me while watching dramas were when the rainbow family members appeared in a line in the opening, when all the members were sent to the scene in the countryside and started working, and when all the members infiltrated the hospital in the medical accident episode." He said, “I always felt overwhelmed every time the five members walked together as one.”

Among several episodes, the 'Club Black Sun' episode, which aired from episodes 11 to 14, attracted attention from viewers as it was reminiscent of the 'Burning Sun incident'. Writer Oh Sang-ho said, "In 'Model Taxi,' the only hope for people at the edge of a cliff in life is the Rainbow Transportation family. This is because no one listens or holds their hand. However, in our reality, hope is not available to the police, prosecutors, courts, etc. "Shouldn't it be public power? That's why I wanted to clearly show what monsters emerge in the middle of the city when public power, which is supposed to catch the devil, colludes with them. Because in the end, they can only be our hope. That's why the reality is scary." .

In Season 2, Shin Jae-ha joined the cast as the villain On Ha-jun. He infiltrated Rainbow Unsoo as an intern in the beginning of the play, but revealed his true colors in the second half and played a part in completing the dramatic story. Writer Oh Sang-ho explained, "On Ha-jun has a complex yet simple past. He is a child raised in the way that fighting and winning is the only correct answer, and a character with a vague emptiness that does not remember anything precious within him." He continued, "Through these characters, we tried to collectively capture the mysterious force chasing the rainbow taxi and the meaning that 'there are things that can be recovered that must be remembered' that we wanted to convey through season 2." He also praised, saying, "I think Shin Jae-ha's face and eyes that go back and forth between good and evil have completed On Ha-jun."

‘Model Taxi’ has already confirmed production of Season 3. The actors said they have not yet received an official casting offer, but writer Oh Sang-ho said, "It is difficult to imagine a model taxi without the five Rainbow Transportation members. On the contrary, it will be an extremely enjoyable work if these five people work together. If the Rainbow Transportation family asks to go again, I will have fun again. “I think I will prepare with my heart,” he said. In addition, “Unless the reality that the words ‘Follow the law’ are used as a weapon by perpetrators and a means of intimidation by victims changes, the operation of model taxis must continue. ‘Don’t die, call us. We will hear your injustice and 'I want to,'" he emphasized.

Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr