[INTERVIEW] Lee Je-hoon feels 'Taxi Driver' helped him become versatile

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Entertainment & Arts

Tue, September 26, 2023 | 03:52

Shows & Dramas

INTERVIEWLee Je-hoon feels 'Taxi Driver' helped him become versatile

Posted : 2023-04-18 17:12

Updated : 2023-04-19 16:21

Lee Je-hoon plays the character of Kim Do-ki in SBS comedy action series "Taxi Driver 2." Courtesy of SBS

By Lee Gyu-lee

The second season of SBS' comedy action series "Taxi Driver" ended the 16-part run on Saturday with its highest viewership rating of 21 percent, topping the first season's success, which hit a 16 percent rating.

Actor Lee Je-hoon / Courtesy of Company On

The action series, based on the popular webcomic "The Deluxe Taxi," revolves around Rainbow Taxi Company, a cab company that runs a service to take revenge on behalf of its clients. Along with the people at the company, a taxi driver and a former Special Forces officer, Kim Do-ki (Lee Je-hoon), takes matters into his own hands and helps seek justice for the victims of violence and injustice.

The series garnered huge popularity with its cathartic plot of avenging evil, touching on crimes and social issues based on real-life cases, as well as comedy with taxi company characters going undercover to infiltrate crime rings for revenge.

Lee, who played the main figure of the group, carrying out revenge and covert plans, said that this character has helped him become a more versatile actor.

"Because Do-ki is originally a quiet person, I felt these sub-characters he disguises himself as could seem extreme. But the viewers seem to enjoy it rather than seeing it as awkward or off, for which I feel grateful," the actor said during an interview with The Korea Times, held at a cafe in Gangnam District, Seoul, Monday. "For me personally, it's great that I've been able to expand the scope of my acting."

The actor went through quite a number of identities in both seasons, from an irresistible gambler to a charismatic Buddhist shaman, bringing out the comedy in between the serious crime plots.

"(Playing this character,) it surprised me like 'oh I didn't realize that I had this side in me.' This series is meaningful as it gave me the courage to show a different, wide range of characters," he said, adding he also felt his shortcomings as well.

"Creating a lot of sub-characters throughout two seasons, I've come to realize my flaws and limits … I feel like I've used up all my resources with season two, and I'm starting to think about how I could fill up again."

A scene from the series "Taxi Driver 2" / Courtesy of SBS

The series brought a spotlight on victims suffering due to blind spots in the legal system and unfolding crimes that happen all too frequently in Korea, such as sexual exploitation.

"When we look at whether these wrongdoings, which often happen in real life, get the appropriate legal consequences, I feel many think 'no.' So I think that's why so many people responded to it, even though the series' story is fictional and made up," he said.

"I hope this series' story continues to be brought up so we can keep our interest in the bad events that happened in our society. And as we discuss it, we can explore what we can do to stop such things from happening again."

The series has been picked up for the third season, according to its production team, although the details are yet to be determined.

"I feel honored (for the season renewal). Watching the American series, I wish Korean series can also have multiple seasons like them," he said. "I hope many Korean dramas could run for multiple seasons so they could be remembered longer by the audiences rather than being a one-season series."

gyulee@koreatimes.co.kr