The SBS Friday-Saturday drama Taxi Driver 3 is demonstrating the power of a well-made seasonal drama with its unparalleled success.
Taxi Driver 3 has soared to 9th globally on Netflix’s non-English series chart, making it the only Top 10 show among titles not released worldwide.
In episodes 3 and 4, Kim Do Gi (played by Lee Je Hoon) and the Rainbow squad bring thrilling catharsis by taking down “used car villain” Cha Byeong Jin (played by Yoon Si Yoon) and his gang, who ruthlessly destroy the lives of ordinary citizens. Particularly, viewers thrilled over Do Gi’s trusted sub-character play to get close to Cha Byeong Jin, and the “eye-for-an-eye education” delivered to the villains who trick customers by selling them flooded, worthless used cars. Yoon Si Yoon’s special appearance as this new villainous character also sparked wide interest.
These reactions are backed by the numbers. Episode 4 of Taxi Driver 3 achieved a peak viewership rating of 15.4%, with 12.6% in the metropolitan area and 11.6% nationwide, ranking first in its time slot and topping all mini-series dramas aired that week. Notably, this places it 4th overall among all mini-series broadcast nationwide this year. Moreover, it dominates the 2049 demographic ratings—a key indicator of buzz and channel competitiveness—with its highest rating reaching 4.9% and an average of 4.2% in episode 4, sweeping first place across all channels in November. After just two weeks of airing, Taxi Driver 3 has firmly captivated the home audience, drawing strong anticipation about how far its momentum will continue.
The series is also generating heat on OTT platforms. As of December 2, Taxi Driver 3 proudly holds 1st place on Netflix’s “Top 10 Series in Korea Today” and has grabbed attention globally by ranking 9th on the non-English Netflix global chart from November 24 to 30. Remarkably, it is the only title among the Top 10 that was not released worldwide, underscoring its exceptional popularity.
Additionally, Taxi Driver 3 ranked first in the drama category on Good Data Corporation’s FUNdex TV-OTT buzz ranking for the 4th week of November (November 24–30). On IMDb, the world’s largest content rating platform, each episode from 1 to 4 is averaging a score of 9.5 points (as of December 2), captivating audiences beyond Korea.
The secret to Taxi Driver 3‘s intense response lies in faithfully continuing the series’ unique worldview while upgrading its appeal with more exhilarating and stylish action sequences, thereby elevating the caper-drama genre’s charm. Over three seasons, the solid team chemistry and character play of Lee Je Hoon, Kim Eui Sung, Pyo Ye Jin, Jang Hyuk Jin, and Bae Yu Ram have become a trademark viewers trust and enjoy. Furthermore, outstanding actors like Show Kasamatsu and Yoon Si Yoon appear as episode villains, adding presence and immersion, which have become fresh highlights exclusive to season 3.
From episode 5 onwards, the storyline will introduce the “Jin Gwang University Volleyball Team Missing Body Murder Case,” which marks the beginning of Rainbow Transport’s revenge agency services. The future direction of Taxi Driver 3, which has begun its unrivaled streak of success, is highly anticipated.
Taxi Driver 3, the SBS Friday-Saturday drama, is a private revenge agency series where the mysterious taxi company Rainbow Transport and driver Kim Do Gi fulfill revenge on behalf of wronged victims. Episode 5 is scheduled to air on Friday, December 5 at 9:50pm KST.
