On January 19, Lee Je‑hoon sat down for an interview at a café in Gangnam, Seoul, following the conclusion of SBS’s hit Friday‑Saturday drama Taxi Driver Season 3 (Taxi Driver 3). He acknowledged that he understands the hearts of viewers eagerly awaiting what comes next. Known for meticulously reviewing not only his filming but also the editing process, Lee said, “It feels like it’s only now truly over,” as he takes time to part with the series that has become a defining project in his career.
The Taxi Driver franchise centers on the unique concept of Rainbow Taxi Company, a special taxi service that carries out revenge on behalf of victims, led by driver Kim Do‑gi. Inspired by real‑life events, the series delivers cathartic vigilante justice and has maintained strong popularity each season. Taxi Driver 3, which wrapped on January 10, recorded a peak viewership rating of 14.2%, securing its reputation as the top show in its timeslot.
Lee Je‑hoon has built a strong reputation for playing righteous detective and justice‑driven roles not only in Taxi Driver, but also in works like MBC’s Chief Detective 1958 and tvN’s Signal series. While such roles might naturally come with pressure, Lee shared that he has long internalized a sense of right and wrong. “From a young age, through upbringing and media exposure, I think I’ve consciously—and instinctively—acted on what I feel about good and evil,” he said, adding that he never imposes these beliefs on others.
When asked about the currently postponed series Signal 2: The Second Signal, which was set to reunite him with co‑star Cho Jin‑woong, Lee addressed the situation with careful candor. He said, “There’s a troubling concern that the interpretation of the work and the value of the efforts that went into it could be diminished because of that part of the situation,” referring to the controversy surrounding Cho Jin‑woong. “Many people invested hard work into that project, and each work carries sincerity. I hope that sincerity isn’t erased or blurred.” His words, while indirect, expressed genuine concern for the impact of external issues on artistic effort.
Lee also reflected on the overwhelming support from fans following Taxi Driver 3’s finale. He shared that he consistently watched each broadcast live and checked audience reactions online throughout the broadcast period. While he maintained that he doesn’t choose roles based on awards, he admitted to quietly hoping for recognition, especially as the cast was invited to awards celebrations together.
Talking about the story’s political themes—such as the martial law narrative toward the end of Taxi Driver 3—Lee emphasized that the show’s fictional storyline aimed to explore deeper ideas about power and civic choice. Though some viewers left negative comments on social media after the broadcast, Lee said he respects diverse interpretations of the work and believes evaluations may evolve over time.
As for his future, Lee said he’s in a thoughtful phase—imagining what kinds of roles he wants to take on next. While he’s been drawn to genre works like action and investigation dramas, Lee revealed a desire to try more romantic and melodramatic roles, hoping to reveal new facets of his craft.
Lee Je‑hoon also shared stories from filming, such as the unexpected challenge of learning choreography for an episode and embracing it wholeheartedly. He discussed the importance of health and conditioning given the physical demands of his roles, as well as the emotional and creative fulfillment he gains from acting.
With fans already expressing excitement for a possible Taxi Driver Season 4, Lee echoed those hopes, saying that both he and the cast feel the bond of Rainbow Taxi Company’s story and would gladly revisit it.
In closing, Lee spoke about his downtime—enjoying films and series he’s missed, walking and traveling, and imagining his future life and career. And when asked about romance, he laughed that life experience still can’t replace the feeling of real love, but that he hopes to nurture that part of his life as well.
Amid accolades and ongoing challenges, Lee Je‑hoon remains grounded and sincere about his craft, inviting audiences to look forward to what he might do next.
Sources: Daum