TV
'Taxi Driver 3' Nears Grand Finale Amidst Record-Breaking Success
SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Taxi Driver 3' (written by Oh Sang-ho, directed by Kang Bo-seung, produced by Studio S, Group Eight, and BA Entertainment) follows the story of a mysterious taxi company, Rainbow Transport, and its driver, Kim Do-gi, who avenges victims who have been wronged.
Returning after two years since Season 2, 'Taxi Driver 3' has been praised for its cinematic direction, the deepened character play of the 'Rainbow Dark Heroes,' a solid world-building that continues from previous seasons, and an impressive lineup of villains. The show has dominated various domestic and international success metrics since its premiere, breaking into double-digit viewership ratings by its second week. Notably, in the 2025 SBS Drama Awards, lead actor Lee Je-hoon (playing Kim Do-gi) won his second Grand Prize for the 'Taxi Driver' series, solidifying its status as a 'national hero drama.'
With only two episodes left until the finale, 'Taxi Driver 3' continues to break records, reaching a climax amidst its soaring popularity. The most recent episode, Episode 14, achieved a peak viewership rating of 18.5%, with 15.1% in the metropolitan area and 14.2% nationwide, setting a new personal best for the series. The 2049 demographic rating also soared to 4.8%, peaking at 5.75%, making it the top broadcast of the new year.
The OTT rankings are equally impressive. In the first week of January (December 29, 2025 - January 4, 2026), 'Taxi Driver 3' topped the integrated content ranking for dramas, movies, and entertainment on the OTT content search platform Kino Lights. It also maintained its number one position in the 'Top 10 Korean Netflix Series' on January 5, as reported by Flixpatrol. Additionally, the series boasts an average episode rating of 9.2 on IMDb as of January 6.
As viewers express their regret over the impending end of 'Taxi Driver 3,' the final episodes are set to air on January 9 (Friday) and 10 (Saturday). The finale is expected to feature a revenge service set against a military backdrop. Veteran actor Kim Jong-soo (playing Oh Won-sang) has been announced as the final villain, with a special appearance by Jeon So-ni (playing Yoo Seon-ah), heightening anticipation for the climactic conclusion of 'Taxi Driver 3.'
SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Taxi Driver 3' will air Episode 15 on January 9 (Friday) at 9:50 PM.
Kim Se-ah, TenAsia Reporter haesmik@tenasia.co.kr
