Lee Je-hoon Triumphs in First Revenge Mission on 'Taxi Driver 3'

Lee Je-hoon successfully completed his first revenge mission in 'Taxi Driver 3'.

In the second episode of SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Taxi Driver 3', aired on the 22nd, Kim Do-gi (played by Lee Je-hoon) dismantled the global illegal loan shark organization, Neko Money, delivering a thrilling catharsis.

'Taxi Driver 3' achieved a peak viewership rating of 12.2%, with 9.5% in the metropolitan area and 9.0% nationwide, securing the top spot in its time slot. It also ranked first among both Saturday and weekly mini-series. Additionally, it topped the 2049 viewership ratings with an average of 3.3% and a peak of 4.41%, making it the most-watched show of the week. (According to Nielsen Korea)

The episode began with the shocking revelation that Neko Money was involved in a missing persons murder case affecting victims across Asia. Japanese police officer Suzuki and Interpol officer Michael Chang were working together internationally to uncover Neko Money's crimes. The opponent Do-gi faced at the Neko Money gym was an undercover agent planted by the joint task force. If Do-gi hadn't intervened, he would have been selected as a bodyguard for Neko Money's boss, Matsuda. Michael requested Do-gi's cooperation to approach Matsuda.

Matsuda summoned Do-gi to his office with the intent to eliminate him, but after witnessing Do-gi's combat skills, he became intrigued. Do-gi quickly realized that Matsuda was a person who trusted no one, not even his closest aides. To uncover Neko Money's criminal evidence and the whereabouts of the client, Lee Seo (played by Cha Si-yeon), Do-gi decided to earn Matsuda's trust by pretending to be a loyal ally. Matsuda, impressed by Do-gi, tried to recruit him as an organization member, but Do-gi deliberately declined, making Matsuda more eager.

With Matsuda's guard down, he hired Do-gi as a part-time worker at a human trafficking site. Witnessing the horrific human rights abuses, the Rainbow Heroes were outraged. Do-gi, along with 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), raided the site and successfully rescued the kidnapped individuals. However, during this process, Do-gi and Michael clashed, causing a rift in their cooperation. Michael couldn't understand why Do-gi didn't share information with the task force and only focused on rescuing the victims, while Do-gi resented Michael's sole interest in arresting criminals.

However, Lee Seo was not among the rescued hostages, prompting Do-gi to devise a final plan to completely dismantle Neko Money and rescue Lee Seo. Jang Representative, Choi Supervisor, and Park Supervisor disguised themselves as Yakuza members to provoke a conflict with the Neko Money organization. During this, Do-gi pretended to save Matsuda's life. The Rainbow Heroes also incited retired Yakuza members' resentment, sparking a war with Matsuda. Meanwhile, Matsuda, believing Do-gi saved his life, proposed a brotherhood, which Do-gi accepted, confident that Matsuda was completely deceived.

With the plan in place, the Rainbow Heroes began their retribution, heightening the tension. During the 'brotherhood ceremony' between Do-gi and Matsuda, retired Yakuza members launched a surprise attack, turning the scene into chaos. As the police raided, Do-gi fled with Matsuda to a hideout, seizing the opportunity to steal the key to Matsuda's secret safe. Do-gi then revealed his true identity, leaving Matsuda feeling betrayed. Matsuda, who treated people like objects, was ultimately undone by trust.

Do-gi then mercilessly subdued Matsuda, delivering a satisfying conclusion. Matsuda, in a final act of desperation, aimed a hidden gun at Do-gi, but Michael arrived just in time to subdue Matsuda, ending the situation. The final cooperation with Michael was also part of Do-gi's plan. As a result, Lee Seo was safely rescued from Matsuda's hideout, and Michael's task force successfully dismantled the Neko Money organization, marking the successful completion of the first revenge mission. The episode concluded with Do-gi's reassuring voice saying, "5283 operation complete."

Reporter: Jung Se-yoon, TenAsia yoon@tenasia.co.kr