Taxi Driver (South Korean TV series)

Taxi Driver (Korean: 모범택시; Hanja: 模範택시; RR: Mobeomtaeksi; lit. Model Taxi) is a South Korean television series starring Lee Je-hoon, Esom and Kim Eui-sung. Based on the webtoon The Deluxe Taxi by Carlos and Lee Jae-jin, it premiered on SBS TV on April 9, 2021, and aired every Friday and Saturday at 22:00 KST until May 29.[2][3]

Taxi Driver
Promotional poster
Hangul모범택시
Hanja模範택시
Genre
Created by
  • Cho Sung-hoon
  • StudioS (SBS)
Based onThe Deluxe Taxi
by Carlos and Lee Jae-jin
Developed byWavve (production investment)
Written by
  • Oh Sang-ho (ep. 1-10)
  • Lee Ji-hyun (ep.11-16)
Directed byPark Joon-woo
StarringLee Je-hoon
Esom
Kim Eui-sung
Pyo Ye-jin
Opening themeModel Taxi (모범택시) - Kim Sung Youl [1]
Ending themeVarious
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes16
Production
Executive producers
  • Hong Seung-chang
  • Kim Young-bae
Producers
  • Han Jung-Hwan
  • Song Byung-joon
  • Lee Ok-gyu
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time70 minutes
Production companies
  • Studio S (SBS)
  • Creative Leaders Group Eight
DistributorSBS
Release
Original networkSBS TV
Picture format1080i (HDTV)
Audio formatDolby Digital
Original releaseApril 9 (2021-04-09) –
May 29, 2021 (2021-05-29)

The series is inspired by actual real life heinous crimes committed in Korea.[4] The series received praise from viewers for its performances and storylines.[5][6] The finale achieved the fourth highest rating of any Friday-Saturday drama in SBS history.[7]

On July 6, SBS announced a second season is in the works; however, only the time slot is currently being discussed.[8]

Synopsis

Kim Do-gi (Lee Je-hoon) is a Korea Military Academy graduate whose mother was murdered when he was young. Since he could not take revenge on the man who murdered his mother, he now works as a taxi driver for a company which offers a "revenge-call" service to its clients who have been wronged and helps them take revenge.

Cast

Main
A former 707th Special Mission Group Captain who works for Rainbow Taxi Company after his mother was killed.
The CEO of Rainbow Taxi Company. He is also the Director of Blue Bird, a non-profit foundation created to help victims of crime. He is known to be ruthless to villains, and being very warm-hearted towards the victims of crime.
A skilled hacker who works for Rainbow Taxi Company after her elder sister dies from suicide.
  • Esom as Kang Ha-na (season 1)
An elite prosecutor from the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office. She fights for justice and later becomes interested in Do-gi's works.

Supporting
The lead mechanic of Rainbow Taxi Company. He was a development researcher for new automobiles in an automobile company.
  • Bae Yoo-ram as Park Jin-eon
The assistant mechanic of Rainbow Taxi Company. He was an aircraft maintenance mechanic in a well-known airline company.
  • Cha Ji-yeon as Baek Sung-mi
The chairman of Nakwon C&C. Nicknamed "The Godmother", she is a very notorious and influential figure in the underground economy.
  • Yoo Seung-mok as Cho Jin-woo
The deputy chief prosecutor of the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office.
  • Lee Yoo-joon as Wang Min-ho
A prosecutor from the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office, working in Ha-na's office. He assists Ha-na in her cases.
  • Yu Yeon-su as So-eun
A prosecutor from the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office, working in Ha-na's office.
  • Lee Ho-cheol as Goo Seok-tae
The secretary of Sung-mi.
  • Cho Hyun-woo as Cho Do-chul
A sexual offender who was released from prison early.
  • Heo Jung-do as Park Dong-pil
A police captain from Seoul Jongam Police Station.

Others

Special appearances
Jin-woo's replacement as deputy chief prosecutor of the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office.
Sung-mi's younger sister.
A real-life suspect of the Hwaseong serial murders who was wrongfully convicted of and sentenced to life imprisonment for one of the murders

Production

Development

On December 4, 2019, it was reported that SBS was considering adapting the webtoon The Deluxe Taxi by Carlos and Lee Jae-jin into a television series.[14] Korean streaming platform Wavve was also invested in the series, has also reported that it has previously invested in several other series such as Zombie Detective (2020), Bossam: Steal the Fate (2021), Alice (2020).[15]

Casting

On November 20, 2020, Lee Je-hoon, Esom, Kim Eui-sung and Lee Na-eun were confirmed to star in the series.[16] On March 8, 2021, Lee Na-eun officially left the cast following bullying accusations made against her.[17][18] Two days later, it was announced that Pyo Ye-jin would replace Lee Na-eun.[19]

On March 8, 2022, it was confirmed that actress Esom will be withdrawing from season 2 due to scheduling inconsistencies.[20]

Filming

As of March 8, 2021, about 60% of filming was complete, though scenes featuring Lee Na-eun were scheduled to be re-shot following her removal from the cast.[17][18]

Release

The first teaser video and teaser poster were released on December 31, 2020.[21]

Original soundtrack
Taxi Driver OST
Soundtrack album by
Various artists
Released
  • 2021
GenreSoundtrack
Language
Label

Part 1
Released on April 16, 2021 (2021-04-16)[22]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Silence"Yoon Do-hyunYoon Do-hyunYB3:25
2."Silence" (inst.) Yoon Do-hyun 3:25
Total length:6:50

Part 2
Released on April 23, 2021 (2021-04-23)[23]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."A Gloomy Letter" (우울한 편지)Yoo Jae-haYoo Jae-haKwak Jin-eon3:40
2."A Gloomy Letter" ((Classical Ver.))Yoo Jae-haYoo Jae-haKwak Jin-eon3:40
3."A Gloomy Letter" (inst.) Yoo Jae-ha 3:40
Total length:11:00

Part 3
Released on April 30, 2021 (2021-04-30)[24]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."A Walk" (산책)SorriLee Han-chulPyo Ye-jin3:48
2."A Walk" (inst.) Lee Han-chul 3:48
Total length:7:36

Part 4
Released on May 4, 2021 (2021-05-04)[25]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."All Day"Jeon Chang-yeob
  • Advanced
  • RYS
Cha Ji-yeon3:38
2."All Day" (inst.) 
  • Advanced
  • RYS
 3:38
Total length:7:16

Part 5
Released on May 15, 2021 (2021-05-15)[26]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Run Away"Simon Dominic
  • noisemasterminsu
  • Hyeon
  • Sean
  • Tez_Toy
  • Simon Dominic
Simon Dominic3:16
2."Run Away" (inst.) 
  • noisemasterminsu
  • Hyeon
  • Sean
  • Tez_Toy
  • Simon Dominic
 3:16
Total length:6:32

Part 6
Released on May 22, 2021 (2021-05-22)[27]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Moon Light" (달빛)Choi Han-sol
  • Choi Han-sol
  • Choi Young-hoon
Sanha3:30
2."Moon Light" (inst.) 
  • Choi Han-sol
  • Choi Young-hoon
 3:30
Total length:7:00

Part 7
Released on May 29, 2021 (2021-05-29)[28]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Way Home" (귀로)Lee Joo-yeobSon Sung-jaeYoon Do-hyun4:25
2."Way Home" (inst.) Son Sung-jae 4:25
Total length:8:50

Viewership
Taxi Driver : South Korea viewers per episode (millions)
SeasonEpisode numberAverage
12345678910111213141516
11.9262.6072.4523.1172.6363.0652.8472.8242.6353.0722.7423.0172.7622.9232.7462.8712.765
Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea.[29]
Average TV viewership ratings
Ep. Part Original broadcast date Average audience share
(Nielsen Korea)[29]
NationwideSeoul
1 1 April 9, 2021 8.7% (7th) 9.4% (5th)
2 10.7% (3rd) 11.2% (3rd)
2 1 April 10, 2021 7.3% (9th) 8.5% (5th)
2 13.5% (3rd) 15.0% (3rd)
3 1 April 16, 2021 9.8% (5th) 10.3% (4th)
2 13.6% (3rd) 14.5% (2nd)
4 1 April 17, 2021 11.5% (4th) 11.8% (4th)
2 15.6% (1st) 16.3% (1st)
5 1 April 23, 2021 12.3% (4th) 13.3% (4th)
2 14.2% (3rd) 15.6% (1st)
6 1 April 24, 2021 8.7% (5th) 9.2% (5th)
2 16.0% (3rd) 16.8% (3rd)
7 1 April 30, 2021 12.9% (4th) 14.3% (2nd)
2 15.1% (2nd) 16.3% (1st)
8 1 May 1, 2021 8.3% (5th) 9.0% (5th)
2 15.2% (3rd) 15.9% (3rd)
9 1 May 7, 2021 12.0% (4th) 12.9% (4th)
2 14.7% (3rd) 16.0% (1st)
10 1 May 8, 2021 10.1% (4th) 11.2% (5th)
2 15.4% (3rd) 17.0% (3rd)
11 1 May 14, 2021 12.4% (4th) 13.9% (4th)
2 14.6% (3rd) 16.3% (1st)
12 1 May 15, 2021 10.7% (5th) 11.6% (5th)
2 15.3% (3rd) 16.1% (3rd)
13 1 May 21, 2021 12.2% (4th) 12.9% (4th)
2 14.4% (3rd) 15.6% (1st)
14 1 May 22, 2021 10.2% (4th) 10.7% (5th)
2 15.5% (3rd) 16.1% (3rd)
15 1 May 28, 2021 13.2% (4th) 13.8% (3rd)
2 14.4% (3rd) 15.2% (1st)
16 1 May 29, 2021 10.9% (5th) 11.9% (4th)
2 15.3% (3rd) 16.6% (3rd)
Average 12.6% 13.6%
  • The blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.

Awards and nominations
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
Korea PD Awards 2022 Best TV Drama Taxi Driver Nominated [30]
SBS Drama Awards 2021 Grand Prize (Daesang) Lee Je-hoon Nominated [31]
Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Genre/Fantasy Drama Won [32]
Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Genre/Fantasy Drama Esom Won [33]
Pyo Ye-jin Nominated
Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries Genre/Fantasy Drama Kim Eui-sung Won [34]
Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries Genre/Fantasy Drama Cha Ji-yeon Won
Scene Stealer Award Shim So-young Won
Best New Actor Choi Hyun-wook Won [35]
Best Supporting Team Taxi Driver Nominated
Seoul International Drama Awards 2021 Outstanding Hallyu Drama Award Taxi Driver Won [36]
Outstanding Korean Actor Lee Je-hoon Nominated

Notelist
  1. Lee Ho-cheol is playing two roles in the drama.

References
  1. "[모범택시] 오프닝 시퀀스 '웹툰 찢고 나온 모범택시 오프닝' / 'Taxi Driver' Preview｜SBSNOW". YouTube. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  2. Lee, Jae-lim (February 3, 2021). "From the web to your TV screen — a look at adaptations to come". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on March 9, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  3. "From Lee Je-hoon to Esom, Charisma Explodes at Script Reading for "Taxi Driver"". HanCinema. February 18, 2021. Archived from the original on February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  4. "'모범택시', 10.3% 순조로운 출발..."본적없는 다크 히어로"". 디스패치 | 뉴스는 팩트다! (in Korean). April 10, 2021. Archived from the original on April 27, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  5. 이다겸 기자 (April 14, 2021). "'모범택시', 시청률 쾌속 상승...시청자 사로잡은 비결3". 스타투데이 (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  6. "K-drama Taxi Driver: styled like Ryan Gosling in Drive, Lee Je-hoon plays a vengeful cabbie". South China Morning Post. April 21, 2021. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  7. Choi Hee-jae (May 30, 2021). "'모범택시' 이제훈은 달랐다…SBS 금토드라마 역대 4위 '최고 18%' [종합]" ['Exemplary taxi' Lee Je-hoon was different... SBS Fri and Saturday Drama All-Time 4th'Highest 18%' [Total]]. X-Sports News (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on June 1, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  8. "SBS 측 "'모범택시' 시즌2 제작? 시기·일정 논의중"(공식입장)". entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  9. "Jang Hyuk-jin to Star in "Taxi Driver"". HanCinema. February 16, 2021. Archived from the original on February 17, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  10. Jang Su-jung (April 9, 2021). "'모범택시' 윤도현, 이영애 이어 1회 특별출연 [공식입장]". imbc (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  11. Jang Woo-young (April 8, 2021). "이영애, '모범택시' 목소리 특별 출연…복수대행 시발점". Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  12. Seo Ji-hyun (May 18, 2021). "모범택시' 측 "박근형·류현경·박진희 카메오 출연" 박준우PD 인연(공식)". Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  13. Kim Na-kyung (May 26, 2021). "'모범택시' 박진희X류현경, '마지막 카메오' 출격…카리스마 폭발 스틸컷 공개". hankyung (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on May 26, 2021. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  14. "Webtoon "Taxi Driver" to Get Drama Adaptation on SBS". HanCinema. December 4, 2019. Archived from the original on March 15, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  15. ""오리지널 콘텐츠 맛집" 웨이브, 콘텐츠에 1조원 투자한다". SKT Insight (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  16. Lee, Mi-ji (November 20, 2020). 이제훈X이솜X김의성X이나은, '모범택시' 출연확정…내년 방송(공식) [Lee Je-hoon X Esom X Kim Eui-sung X Lee Na-eun Confirmed to Appear in 'The Deluxe Taxi'... Broadcast Next Year (Official)]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on December 6, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  17. "Lee Naeun Quits "Taxi Driver" Over Bullying Controversy". HanCinema. March 8, 2021. Archived from the original on March 15, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  18. Lee, Sun-min (March 8, 2021). "April's Lee Na-eun dropped from drama 'Taxi Driver' after bullying claims". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on March 29, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  19. "표예진, '하차' 이나은 대신 '모범택시' 합류 (공식)". YTN (in Korean). March 10, 2021. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  20. Lee Min-ji (March 8, 2022). "이솜 측 "일정 문제로 '모범택시2' 출연하지 않기로"[공식]" [Esom's side "Due to scheduling problems, I decided not to appear in 'Model Taxi 2'" [Official]] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved March 8, 2022 – via Naver.
  21. Park, Jung-sun (January 1, 2021). 이제훈X이솜 '모범택시', 첫 티저 공개…통쾌한 복수극 예고 [Lee Je-hoon X Esom in 'The Deluxe Taxi', First Teaser Released...Exciting Revenge Drama]. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 1, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  22. "모범택시 OST Part.1" [Taxi Driver OST Part.1]. Melon. Archived from the original on April 16, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  23. "모범택시 OST Part.2" [Taxi Driver OST Part.2]. Melon. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  24. "모범택시 OST Part.3" [Taxi Driver OST Part.3]. Melon. Archived from the original on April 30, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  25. "모범택시 OST Part.4" [Taxi Driver OST Part.4]. Melon. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  26. "모범택시 OST Part.5" [Taxi Driver OST Part.5]. Melon. Archived from the original on May 16, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  27. "모범택시 OST Part.6" [Taxi Driver OST Part.6]. Melon. Archived from the original on May 22, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  28. "모범택시 OST Part.7" [Taxi Driver OST Part.7]. Melon. Archived from the original on June 1, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  29. Nielsen Korea ratings:
    • "Ep. 1". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). April 9, 2021. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
    • "Ep. 2". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). April 10, 2021. Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
    • "Ep. 3". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). April 16, 2021. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
    • "Ep. 4". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). April 17, 2021. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
    • "Ep. 5". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). April 23, 2021. Archived from the original on June 1, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
    • "Ep. 6". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). April 24, 2021. Archived from the original on June 1, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
    • "Ep. 7". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). April 30, 2021. Archived from the original on June 1, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
    • "Ep. 8". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). May 1, 2021. Archived from the original on June 1, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
    • "Ep. 9". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). May 7, 2021. Archived from the original on June 1, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
    • "Ep. 10". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). May 8, 2021. Archived from the original on June 1, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
    • "Ep. 11". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). May 14, 2021. Archived from the original on June 1, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
    • "Ep. 12". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). May 15, 2021. Archived from the original on May 16, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
    • "Ep. 13". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). May 21, 2021. Archived from the original on June 1, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
    • "Ep. 14". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). May 22, 2021. Archived from the original on May 23, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
    • "Ep. 15". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). May 28, 2021. Archived from the original on June 1, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
    • "Ep. 16". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). May 29, 2021. Archived from the original on June 1, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  30. Son Ji-in (March 14, 2022). "옷소매 붉은 끝동'·'골 때리는 그녀들' 등 39편 한국PD대상 본심 진출" [39 Korean PD Awards, including 'Red Sleeves' and 'Those Who Hit the Goal'] (in Korean). Retrieved March 15, 2022 – via Journal.
  31. "김소연 송혜교 이제훈 이하늬 4人 'SBS 연기대상' 대상 후보 확정(공식)". entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  32. "이제훈-김유정 장르/판타지 최우수상 [SBS 연기대상]". entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  33. Jeong Hee-yeon (December 31, 2021). "안효섭-이솜 장르/판타지 우수상 [SBS 연기대상]" [Ahn Hyo-seop - Esom Genre/Fantasy Excellence Award [SBS Acting Awards]] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Retrieved January 2, 2022 – via Naver.
  34. Jeong Hee-yeon (December 31, 2021). "모범택시' 김의성-차지연 장르/판타지 조연상 [SBS 연기대상]" ['Exemplary Taxi' Kim Eui-seong - Cha Ji-yeon Genre/Fantasy Supporting Actor [SBS Acting Awards]] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Retrieved January 2, 2022 – via Naver.
  35. Ha, Ji-won (December 31, 2021). "김영대·손상연·최연욱, 신인상 공동 수상 [SBS 연기대상]" [Kim Young-dae, Son Sang-yeon, and Choi Hyeon-wook, jointly awarded the Rookie of the Year Award. [SBS Acting Awards]]. Xports News (in Korean). Retrieved March 15, 2022 – via Naver.
  36. "'서울드라마어워즈', 박혁권 남자연기자상...'빈센조' 한류드라마 최우수상". 싱글리스트 (in Korean). October 21, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
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