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| ▲ This profile photo of actor Lee Je-hoon is provided by Company On. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Jan. 19 (Yonhap) -- “I wanted to talk about the dangers that can arise when power goes unchecked, and how important citizens’ choices and solidarity become in such moments.”
Actor Lee Je-hoon, who once again led SBS’ Friday-Saturday drama "Taxi Driver 3" to strong ratings, spoke about the burden and intent behind the politically charged martial law episode during an interview held Monday at a cafe in Seoul’s Gangnam district.
In "Taxi Driver 3," a series known for delivering cathartic justice through a range of disguises and characters, Lee plays the protagonist who, in the final episode, joins ordinary citizens to stop the declaration of emergency martial law.
The finale episode featuring the storyline recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 13.3 percent, according to Nielsen Korea. Lee won the SBS Drama Awards’ grand prize last year for the series, following his previous win in 2023 for "Taxi Driver 2."
“Although it’s a story based on dramatic fiction, it’s not completely detached from the society we live in,” Lee said. “There were major social incidents in 2024 before the drama was produced, and viewers would have reflected on those events from their own perspectives. I think the concerns of the times naturally seeped into the work.”
Throughout the "Taxi Driver" series, Lee has taken on multiple alter egos in each episode, showcasing a wide acting range. This season, he even appeared as a girl group manager and performed dance routines, drawing attention.
Lee said he practiced for a month “almost in tears” for the scene, adding, “I started to feel like I’d used up every character I could pull out. I even thought that to play something new, I’d have to start completely over and relearn acting.”
As much as Lee’s performances, the series has been known for its memorable villains. In the latest season, actors Jang Nara and Yoon Shi-yoon drew interest by taking on antagonist roles that contrasted sharply with their usual images.
“In ‘Taxi Driver,’ the villains carry enormous weight in each episode, and depending on who plays them, the power of the story changes completely,” Lee said. “Since Jang Nara and Yoon Shi-yoon have little experience playing villains, it couldn’t have been easy, but I was grateful that they took on the challenge so courageously.”
Lee singled out the rooftop standoff scene in episode 10 between his character Kim Do-gi and Kang Joo-ri, played by Jang Nara, as the most memorable moment of the season.
“It made me think that I really want to try playing a villain like that someday,” he said. “I’m waiting for that moment.”
Asked whether he feels pressure portraying a character seen as a symbol of justice, Lee said, “I think I act instinctively based on what I’ve been taught since childhood about right and wrong. Rather than trying to change something, it feels natural for someone working in the entertainment industry to be mindful of how they’re perceived.”
Meanwhile, Lee’s highly anticipated next project, tvN’s "Second Signal" ("Signal 2"), has become uncertain following past controversies involving lead actor Cho Jin-woong.
Regarding the impact of issues unrelated to himself on a project, Lee expressed regret, saying, “I hope that the efforts and value created by so many people don’t fade away or disappear because of one individual’s problem.”
He also shared his hopes for a fourth season of "Taxi Driver." While noting that he has not heard any concrete plans yet, Lee said he is waiting as a viewer.
“Seeing how many viewers are hoping for season four makes me happy,” he said. “The Rainbow Taxi family wouldn’t want to part ways either.”
“If I had to explain actor Lee Je-hoon right now, I think the ‘Taxi Driver’ series is my defining work,” he added. “At the same time, I’m looking for another project that can represent a different side of me, and if I find one, I want to give it everything I have.”
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