Veteran actor Kim Eui Sung spoke highly of Lee Je Hoon, calling him a reliable and principled actor after working together for five years in SBS’ hit drama “Taxi Driver.”
The third season of “Taxi Driver” recently concluded with an impressive 13.3% average rating for the final episode, outpacing competing shows in the same time slot. The drama also became the highest-rated Korean miniseries of 2026 so far, particularly among viewers aged 20-49, averaging a 4.6% rating in the key demographic.
Based on a popular webtoon, “Taxi Driver” follows a secret taxi service that offers revenge on behalf of victims who fail to find justice through the legal system. Since its premiere in 2021, the series has retained its original main cast across all three seasons, including Lee Je Hoon, Kim Eui Sung, Pyo Ye Jin, Jang Hyuk Jin, and Bae Yoo Ram, who play the members of Rainbow Taxi.
In a recent interview, Kim Eui Sung reflected on the drama’s journey and the bond formed between the cast.
“Five years is not a short time,” he said. “When we first started filming, it was during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The story was very dark and I wondered if audiences would accept such a heavy tone. I never imagined the show would last five years and receive so much love in three seasons.”
Expressing pride in the long-standing teamwork of the Rainbow Taxi cast, Kim Eui Sung added that maintaining the same five members for multiple seasons is rare in the industry.
“It’s not easy for five actors to stay together for so long in our work. I’m very proud that we managed to do it together,” he said.
Kim Eui Sung also joked that some cast members have started to resemble their characters in real life, noting that Pyo Ye Jin has become “fiercer, just like Go Eun,” while the managers around her seem “more and more clueless.”
However, Kim Eui Sung pointed out that Lee Je Hoon has remained the most unchanged over the years.
“It’s exactly the same as always,” Kim Eui Sung said. “He is a person we never have to worry about. He lives very correctly, makes no mistakes and is incredibly reliable. Lee Je Hoon is truly a pillar of trust for all of us.”
The veteran actor also shared a rare behind-the-scenes anecdote, recalling the one time he saw Lee Je Hoon lose his temper on set.
“It was the first and only time,” Kim Eui Sung said. “The shooting schedule was extremely tight, and the staff had not prepared alternative plans for scenes that required long setup times. Lee Je Hoon spoke firmly, saying, ‘Let’s work more responsibly.’ Even standing by his side as a senior, I could clearly feel that his sense of responsibility towards the project was on a different level.”
When asked about the possibility of a fourth season of “Taxi Driver,” Kim Eui Sung responded with caution.
“Popularity alone isn’t enough to keep a series going forever,” he said. “Producing a drama that is both profitable and sustainable, especially on a public television network, is very difficult. We probably all hope to continue, but we have never said it out loud. We only understand through our eyes that we may meet again one day.”
As “Taxi Driver” continues to cement its legacy as one of Korea’s most successful action dramas, Lee Je Hoon’s professionalism and dependability remain at the core of its enduring success.
Sources: Netizenbuzz
