Lee Je-hoon reflects on growth through Taxi Driver

Jan 20, 2026, 08:16 am

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Actor Lee Je-hoon. / Courtesy of Company On

Actor Lee Je-hoon said portraying Kim Do-gi in SBS’s hit series Taxi Driver has made him more aware of his role and responsibilities as an adult.

Speaking at a wrap-up interview for Taxi Driver 3 held Monday morning at a café in southern Seoul, Lee said he watched each episode “as a viewer,” adding that the end of a show he had shared with audiences every Friday and Saturday now feels real.

The vigilante drama follows the secretive Rainbow Taxi company and its driver Kim Do-gi, who delivers private revenge on behalf of wronged victims. Lee has anchored the franchise since its first season in 2021, carrying the series through Season 3 with a wide range of alter egos that boosted its completeness. His work earned top acting awards in 2023 and 2025.

The finale aired Jan. 10 and left a strong impression by distilling the series’ core message. In the final arc, Kim returns as a special forces officer to uncover the truth behind the death of his junior officer Yoo Seon-a (played by Jeon So-nee). The storyline exposed dark aspects of military hierarchy and, through a dramatic state-of-emergency setting, highlighted the importance of civic solidarity and checks on power. The episode topped its time slot with a peak rating of 16.6% nationwide and a 13.7% average in the Seoul metropolitan area, according to Nielsen Korea.

Addressing mixed reactions and online backlash, Lee said he focused on the message the drama sought to convey. “We wanted to show the dangers when power goes unchecked, and how important citizens’ choices and solidarity are,” he said, adding that different interpretations should be respected and that Season 3 would be reassessed over time.

Reflecting on five years with the character, Lee cited “maturity” as the biggest change. “Though Kim Do-gi is fictional, everyday emotions and events naturally seeped in over those five years,” he said. “It made me more conscious of my role as an adult, and how I should continue to live.”

Known for blending action, catharsis and humor while drawing on real-life crimes, Taxi Driver has maintained steady popularity, with Kim Do-gi emerging as a modern vigilante “hero.” Asked whether the image feels burdensome, Lee said values matter most. “I’ve thought about good and evil since I was young, and that has guided my actions. As someone in entertainment, I believe caution is always necessary.”

As expectations build for a potential fourth season, Lee said he is grateful for viewers’ enthusiasm but emphasized that nothing has been decided. “I haven’t been told anything yet,” he said with a smile. “For now, I’m waiting as a viewer.”

#Lee Je-hoon #Taxi Driver 3 #Kim Do-gi #SBS drama