SBS’ Friday-Saturday drama “Taxi Driver 3” has officially concluded, concluding its run with a powerful finale that provided both emotional weight and explosive catharsis. Led by Lee Je-hoon, the third season concluded with strong buzz, sharp social commentary and the highest ratings ever.
The final episode, which aired on January 10, depicted the ultimate sacrifice of taxi hero Kim Do-gi (played by Lee Je-hoon) and the collective solidarity of citizens who stand against absolute evil. The plot centered on a shocking conspiracy involving a fabricated military incident and martial law plot, led by Colonel Kim Tae-won (Kim Jin-wook), who attempted to shift the blame onto North Korea after orchestrating a deadly provocation. The finale garnered attention for its bold parallels to real-world political tensions, leaving viewers with a heavy but inspiring aftertaste.
According to Nielsen Korea, episode 16 had an average nationwide rating of 13.3%, 13.7% in the Seoul metropolitan area and reached an impressive 16.6%. The drama ranked first in its timeslot and topped all miniseries that aired during the week. Notably, its key 20-49 demographic rating reached 4.6%, peaking at 5.55%, placing it firmly in “Taxi driver 3” as one of the most successful Korean dramas of 2026.
An intellectual property with proven global success
From the moment it premiered, “Taxi driver 3” has lived up to expectations as a blockbuster franchise. Beyond domestic ratings and online buzz, the series has demonstrated formidable global appeal. According to Asian OTT platform Viu, the drama ranked first in countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore during the first week of January.
In Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, the series maintained its No. 1 position for seven consecutive weeks, while in Thailand both the subtitled and dubbed versions ranked first. The drama also topped the Middle East charts for seven consecutive weeks, cementing its status as a truly global IP.
Lee Je-hoon, an iconic hero
“Taxi driver 3” also marked a historical milestone for Lee Je-hoon. At the 2025 SBS Drama Awards, he won his second Grand Prize (Daesang) for the series, making history as the first actor to make two Daesangs from the same seasonal franchise. His performance as Kim Do-gi evolved from a charismatic vigilante into a definitive “hero icon”, showing emotional depth, moral conviction and hilarious action.
Lee’s ability to juggle multiple alter egos, from gambler and con artist to manager, soldier and undercover agent, sparked the so-called “Happy Do-gi” phenomenon, captivating viewers throughout the season.
The indestructible “Rainbow Five”
One of the drama’s biggest strengths has remained the unshakable chemistry of the Rainbow Taxi Team: Kim Do-gi, CEO Jang Sung-chul (Kim Eui-sung), Go Eun (Pyo Ye-jin), Choi Kyung-goo (Jang Hyuk-jin) and Park Jin-eon (Bae Yoo-ram). Rare for a seasonal Korean drama, the main cast remained intact throughout all three seasons, allowing character relationships and emotional depth to grow organically.
Their mix of humor, touching moments and tightly knit teamwork added warmth and balance to the intense revenge-driven narrative.
A parade of memorable villains
Season 3 also raised the bar with a lineup of formidable villains played by top-notch actors. From Japanese star Sho Kasamatsu, to Yoon Si-yoon, Eum Moon-suk, Kim Sung-kyu, Jang Nara (in her first villain role) and veteran actor Kim Jong-soo, each antagonist left a strong impression and heightened the tension of the drama, offering viewers an unparalleled catharsis.
Cinematic quality and perfect synergy
Praised as “cinematic”, “Taxi driver 3” benefited from the seamless collaboration between writer Oh Sang-ho, director Kang Bo-seung and the cast. The sophisticated mise-en-scène, impactful music, precise editing and tight narrative elevated the series beyond a typical TV drama, earning it widespread acclaim for its refined execution.
With its final episode, “Taxi driver 3“brought the curtain down on a 16-episode journey of private justice, sacrifice, and moral reckoning. As one of the most successful Korean seasonal dramas to date, it leaves behind not only record-breaking numbers, but also a strong call from fans for the franchise to continue.” “operation” in the future.
Sources: Nate News
