'Taxi Driver 3' Returns with Thrilling Premiere, Dominates Ratings

'Taxi Driver 3' made a thrilling return with its premiere, capturing viewers' attention with its full-throttle storyline.

On the night of the 21st, at 9:50 PM, SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Taxi Driver 3' aired its first episode, featuring the 'Rainbow Five'—Kim Do-gi (played by Lee Je-hoon), Jang Representative (played by Kim Eui-sung), Ahn Go-eun (played by Pyo Ye-jin), Choi Supervisor (played by Jang Hyuk-jin), and Park Supervisor (played by Bae Yu-ram). They received a direct call for help from high school student Yoon Yi-seo (played by Cha Si-yeon), who had been kidnapped and imprisoned by a Japanese crime organization. The team traveled to Japan to initiate their revenge service and rescue the missing client.

The first episode of 'Taxi Driver 3' achieved a peak viewership rating of 11.1%, with nationwide ratings at 9.5%, metropolitan area ratings at 9.9%, and a 2049 demographic peak of 3.13%, averaging 2.4%. It ranked first among all programs in its time slot and marked the highest-rated premiere among all mini-series dramas aired across all channels in 2025, according to Nielsen Korea.

The episode opened with Do-gi and the Rainbow team storming a horrific human auction scene, signaling the triumphant return of these justice-seeking heroes. The first case they tackled involved Yi-seo, a high school student kidnapped and imprisoned by a Japanese crime syndicate. Although she managed to escape and request their revenge service, she was recaptured by the gang members in a tense situation.

To gather information about Yi-seo's surroundings, Do-gi infiltrated her school, reviving his legendary alter ego 'Hwang In-seong' from Season 1, providing comic relief. Through Yi-seo's friend Ye-ji (played by Lee Yoo-ji), Do-gi learned the full story. Yi-seo had been lured into illegal mobile gambling by Ye-ji's recommendation and fell into debt with ruthless loan sharks, leading her to accept a job placement in Japan to repay her debts.

To rescue Yi-seo, who was ensnared by a mobile game, the 5283 taxi team mobilized once again. Go-eun, disguised as someone in debt like Ye-ji, approached the loan sharks to uncover their scheme. They discovered that everything from the mobile game to loans and job placements was part of a vicious crime cartel, with a company called 'Neko Money' behind it.

Go-eun boarded a passenger ship to Japan, just like Yi-seo, with the Rainbow team accompanying her. Upon arrival, Go-eun was taken to a suspicious office labeled 'Life Reset.' Detecting the ominous atmosphere, with even a signal jammer installed, Do-gi rushed to the office to rescue Go-eun, creating a tense moment.

Fortunately, Go-eun had already subdued her captor. However, Do-gi was enraged upon seeing the profiles of numerous women on the walls and abandoned suitcases, indicating the many people who had vanished without a trace due to the crime syndicate.

With the organization operating in a decentralized manner, making it difficult to reach the leadership, Do-gi took drastic measures. He decided to become an insider, creating a new persona filled with charisma to infiltrate the lower ranks of Neko Money.

Do-gi provocatively challenged the gang members by claiming, "There's spit on my shoes," and caused a commotion at their gym hideout. He left a video message through the CCTV, saying, "Tell your boss to call me when he gets new shoes," delivering a thrilling challenge. Viewers are left wondering what impact Do-gi's daring challenge will have and whether they will succeed in rescuing the missing Yi-seo.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr