Season 3 of Taxi driver ended on January 10, recording a maximum audience rating of 16.6% and an average of 13.7% in the metropolitan area. It dominated its timeslot and ranked first among all miniseries broadcast that week, reaffirming its status as one of SBS’s most powerful franchises. However, the moment the finale aired, online reactions quickly went from dismissal to continuation, with fans flooding forums and social media with requests for a fourth season.
At the center of the series’ success is Lee Je-hoon, who played vigilante taxi driver Kim Do-gi for six years. His performance, characterized by intense action, emotional depth and endless “alter ego” disguises, has become synonymous with the drama itself. Lee Je-hoon’s impact was further cemented when he won the Grand Prize at the 2025 SBS Drama Awards, following a similar win in 2023.
The strength of Taxi driver lies in its clear formula: episodic revenge stories built around social justice, delivered through fast-paced missions carried out by the Rainbow Taxi team. This structure has allowed the series to remain fresh while preserving a coherent universe making it well-suited for long-term seasonal expansion.
In post-finale interviews, Lee Je-hoon fueled speculation by offering a cautiously hopeful response regarding season four. “I was really happy to see viewers leaving comments in real time asking for another season,” he said. “It seemed like the Rainbow Taxi family didn’t want to say goodbye, and honestly, I want to meet them again as soon as possible.” While stressing that nothing has been officially confirmed, he added with a smile when asked directly about Season 4, “We should do it.”
The numbers support the optimism. Taxi driver Season 1 peaked at 16.0% in 2021, Taxi driver Season two rose to 21.0 % franchise in 2023 and Taxi driver Season 3 maintained momentum with double-digit ratings throughout its run. In a television landscape where maintaining an audience is increasingly difficult, the series has proven its enduring appeal.
Equally important is the ensemble cast. Kim Eui-sung, Pyo Ye-jin, Jang Hyuk-jin and Bae Yoo-ram have built a solid team dynamic that deepens with each season, reducing fatigue and turning familiarity into anticipation. Their final comments after the third season, full of phrases like “until we meet again” AND “the journey can” continue”it just added fuel to the Season 4 conversation.
For now SBS has not made any official announcement. But with proven audience power, strong fan demand, and a lead actor who openly expresses his desire to return, Taxi driver It seems far from parked. Whether season four becomes a reality or not, one thing is clear: For viewers, this journey doesn’t feel like it’s over yet.
Sources: Wikitree
