The South Korean action series Taxi Driver 3, featuring lead actor Lee Je-hoon, demonstrated continued audience dominance this week despite a fractional dip in viewership for its latest broadcast. The second episode, which aired Monday on the SBS television network, secured a robust 9.0% nationwide rating, confirming its position as the top-performing drama in its time slot, even as it experienced a slight 0.5 percentage point decrease from its premiere episode. The episode was highly anticipated due to the scheduled appearance of Cantopop star and Hong Kong sensation Edan Lui, a member of the boy band MIRROR.
Lui’s highly publicized guest appearance finally materialized in the second installment. He portrayed an international police detective tasked with hunting a notorious Japanese criminal syndicate specializing in kidnapping and human trafficking. His character sought the assistance of the series’ protagonist, Kim Do-gi (played by Lee Je-hoon), the primary driver and operative for the clandestine Rainbow Taxi Company, an outfit that offers vigilante justice to victims failed by the legal system.
The collaboration between the international law enforcement officer and the rogue vigilante driver was a central plot point. A particularly memorable segment was a tense, dramatic conversation between the two actors on a rooftop. Many viewers and critics noted the sequence’s striking thematic and aesthetic similarity to iconic scenes from the classic Hong Kong crime thriller Infernal Affairs. This cinematic homage underscore’s the show’s ambition to blend high-stakes drama with nostalgic undertones from the region’s rich filmmaking history.
The narrative arc of the episode centered on forming an unexpected alliance to tackle the sophisticated criminal enterprise. Ultimately, the partnership proved effective, delivering the show’s signature message: the triumph of justice over systemic evil. The seamless integration of Lui, a major star outside of the Korean entertainment industry, highlights the growing trend of cross-regional casting within Asian television production. Such collaborations not only drive local ratings but also significantly expand the show’s international appeal, particularly in Greater China.
Taxi Driver 3 is the latest iteration of the well-established franchise that draws its popularity from a compelling blend of thrilling action sequences, socially relevant themes, and the charismatic performance of Lee Je-hoon. The consistent maintenance of a commanding viewership, even with minor weekly variations, signals the show’s strong loyal audience base and its ability to deliver satisfying, high-quality entertainment. As the season progresses, industry observers will closely monitor whether the show can maintain or surpass the ratings achieved by its previous, highly successful seasons. The effective use of high-profile cameos, such as Lui’s, will likely remain a key strategy in sustaining momentum and extending the series’ global reach.