Lee Je-hoon Wins Grand Prize at 2025 SBS Drama Awards for 'Taxi Driver 3'

Lee Je-hoon of 'Taxi Driver 3' has been honored with the Grand Prize at the '2025 SBS Drama Awards'.

Marking the return of 'GOD+Kim Do-gi', 'Taxi Driver 3' has proven the power of super IP seasonal series, with Lee Je-hoon taking home the prestigious award. The broadcast achieved a peak viewership rating of 7.8% according to Nielsen Korea, with 6.1% in the metropolitan area and 5.5% nationwide, securing the top spot in its time slot. It also recorded the highest 2049 viewership rating of 4.2%, with an average of 3%, ranking first among all broadcasts during the year-end awards season (based on the third part).

Lee Je-hoon expressed his thoughts, saying, “I want to act well, but the more I do it, the harder it gets. There are many times when I think, 'Is this all I can do?' but thanks to the fans who give me strength, I've been able to endure until now.” He continued, “The reason this series has existed for over five years is because of the viewers. Thanks to their genuine feelings of anger and empathy every week, hoping such incidents and accidents won't happen again,” he said, shedding tears of gratitude.

The Director's Award, chosen by the directors and production team for the best actor, went to Yoon Kye-sang of 'The Winning Try', who proved his versatility with his comedic acting skills.

The Best Actor in a Mini-Series Human/Fantasy category was awarded to Yook Sung-jae and Kim Ji-yeon, the dual-role protagonists of 'The Haunted Palace', adding significance to their win. In the Mini-Series Romantic Comedy category, Choi Woo-shik and Jung So-min, who proved themselves as 'Would You Marry Me?', shared the honor. In the Mini-Series Melodrama category, Lee Jun-hyuk and Han Ji-min of 'Love Scout' won, while in the Mini-Series Genre/Action category, Park Hyung-sik of 'Buried Hearts' and Ko Hyun-jung of 'Queen Mantis' took home the awards.

The Drama of the Year Award, voted directly by netizens, went to 'Taxi Driver 3', which has continued its unique success with overwhelming immersion and sweeping ratings and buzz.

In the Mini-Series Human/Fantasy category, the Excellence in Acting Award went to Kim Yo-han of 'The Winning Try', Kim Ji-hoon of 'The Haunted Palace', and Cha Chung-hwa, who delivered delightful fun with her unique witty acting. In the Mini-Series Melodrama category, Kim Do-hoon of 'Love Scout' and Jeon Yeo-been of 'Our Movie', who left a deep impression as a terminally ill actor, were honored.

In the Mini-Series Genre/Action category, Jang Dong-yoon of 'Queen Mantis' and Pyo Ye-jin, who showcased a bold charm as a genius hacker in 'Taxi Driver 3', received awards. In the Mini-Series Romantic Comedy category, Jang Ki-yong and Ahn Eun-jin of 'Dynamite Kiss' shared the joy of winning.

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Below are the winners and works from the SBS Drama Awards
▲Grand Prize: Lee Je-hoon (Taxi Driver 3)
▲Director's Award: Yoon Kye-sang (Try)
▲Best Actor in a Mini-Series Genre/Action: Park Hyung-sik (Buried Hearts), Ko Hyun-jung (Mantis)
▲Best Actor in a Mini-Series Melodrama: Lee Jun-hyuk (Love Scout), Han Ji-min (Love Scout)
▲Best Actor in a Mini-Series Romantic Comedy: Choi Woo-shik (Would You Marry Me?), Jung So-min (Would You Marry Me?)
▲Best Actor in a Mini-Series Human/Fantasy: Yook Sung-jae (The Haunted Palace), Kim Ji-yeon (The Haunted Palace)
▲Drama of the Year: Taxi Driver 3
▲Excellence in Acting in a Mini-Series Romantic Comedy: Jang Ki-yong (Dynamite Kiss), Ahn Eun-jin (Dynamite Kiss)
▲Excellence in Acting in a Mini-Series Genre/Action: Jang Dong-yoon (Mantis), Pyo Ye-jin (Taxi Driver 3)
▲Excellence in Acting in a Mini-Series Melodrama: Kim Do-hoon (Love Scout), Jeon Yeo-been (Our Movie)
▲Excellence in Acting in a Mini-Series Human/Fantasy: Kim Yo-han (Try), Kim Ji-hoon (The Haunted Palace), Cha Chung-hwa (The Haunted Palace)
▲Lifetime Achievement Award: Late Lee Soon-jae
▲Best Couple Award: Jang Ki-yong, Ahn Eun-jin (Dynamite Kiss)
▲Best Teamwork Award: Hanyang High School Rugby Team (Try)
▲Best Performance Award: Kim Eui-sung (Taxi Driver 3)
▲Scene Stealer Award: Yoon Si-yoon (Taxi Driver 3), Seo Hye-won (Love Scout, Spring of Youth)
▲Supporting Actor in a Mini-Series Genre/Action: Lee Hae-young (Buried Hearts), Han Dong-hee (Mantis)
▲Supporting Actor in a Mini-Series Romance Comedy: Seo Bum-june (Would You Marry Me?), Shin Seul-ki (Would You Marry Me?)
▲Supporting Actor in a Mini-Series Melodrama: Go Geon-han (Love Scout), Lee Sang-hee (Love Scout)
▲Supporting Actor in a Mini-Series Human/Fantasy: Lee Sung-wook (Try), Gil Hae-yeon (The Haunted Palace, Try)
▲New Actor Award: Kim Dan (Try), Kim Mu-jun (Dynamite Kiss), Cha Woo-min (Buried Hearts), Ha Yoo-joon (Spring of Youth), Kim Eun-bi (Our Movie), Park Jung-yeon (Try), Woo Da-vi (Dynamite Kiss), Hong Hwa-yeon (Buried Hearts)

Reporter: Kim Se-ah, TENASIA haesmik@tenasia.co.kr