Taxi Driver

Decent show. Great action. Hilariously blatant advertising

The show itself was pretty enjoyable. The acting and action is the stand out by far.

The story was more compelling at the beginning, particularly when the focus was on individual cases. The main plot was wrapped up with a couple episodes of the season left so the extra plot felt like it came out of nowhere, was rushed and didn't have the same impact as the main plots or even some of the one-off plots earlier on in the series.

I appreciate the attempt to shine a light on where the system fails in supporting victims and protecting those who are guilty, including excessive force used by authorities to force confession or statutes of limitations. I don't think I've seen that tackled in a show before - especially with the post-credit real life stories of those affected.

Also I've never seen such blatant advertising in a show - I genuinely burst out laughing in the final episode with how many ads were back to back.

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A Great Premise Sacrificed on the Altar of Narrative Inconsistency

[Italian Version Below / Versione Italiana in Basso]

ENG

Taxi Driver starts with immense potential: dynamic direction, high-level action sequences, and a cathartic premise that instantly hooks the viewer. However, the series suffers from a noticeable drop in quality in its second half, where shaky writing ultimately compromises the integrity of the entire show.

~ Script and Conceptual Flaws ~

The Oxymoron of "Moral Revenge": The show's biggest conceptual flaw lies in its attempt to justify the protagonists' actions under a veneer of ethical superiority. The series tries to sell the idea of a "clean" or "moral" revenge, but falls into blatant hypocrisy: locking people in illegal underground dungeons and delegating their custody to the underworld isn't a moral choice—it's just another form of unregulated violence. Demanding that characters keep their hands ethically clean while acting outside the law creates a constant ideological short-circuit.

Forced Plot Devices and Last-Minute Shortcuts: In the final episodes, the plot gets tangled in an accumulation of unrealistic coincidences. The handling of the serial killer’s crimes, the introduction of a copycat/fake culprit to cover up previous plot holes, and placing all key characters in the exact same location reveal lazy writing that relies on cheap shortcuts to force the pieces together.

Editing and Clunky Flashbacks: The pacing suffers heavily from a messy management of timelines. Flashbacks are shoved into the middle of scenes without clear visual or narrative cues, creating confusion between events from twenty years ago, recent developments, and shifting character perspectives.

Inconsistent Character Arcs: The prosecutor’s journey symbolizes the script's compromises. After 15 episodes spent defending the rule of law and formal justice, her sudden endorsement of the vigilantes—while retaining her official position—invalidates the core ideological clash the show tried to build on.

~ The Final Verdict ~

Taxi Driver remains an enjoyable piece of entertainment on a purely visual and action level, but it fails when it tries to lecture the audience on morality. Had it coherently embraced the dark, morally gray nature of a true revenge drama—without searching for ethical excuses for its leads—it would have left a much stronger impact. A decent watch for the action, but a disappointment for anyone looking for solid, consistent writing.

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ITA

Una grande premessa sacrificata sull'altare dell'incoerenza narrativa

Taxi Driver parte con un potenziale immenso: una regia dinamica, sequenze d'azione di alto livello e una premessa catartica che cattura immediatamente lo spettatore. Tuttavia, la serie soffre di un notevole calo di qualità nella seconda metà, dove una scrittura traballante finisce per compromettere l'integrità dell'intero show.

~ Difetti di Sceneggiatura e Concettuali ~

L'Ossimoro della "Vendetta Morale": Il più grande difetto concettuale dello show risiede nel tentativo di giustificare le azioni dei protagonisti sotto una patina di superiorità etica. La serie cerca di vendere l'idea di una vendetta "pulita" o "morale", ma cade in una palese ipocrisia: rinchiudere le persone in prigioni sotterranee illegali e delegarne la custodia alla malavita non è una scelta morale—è solo un'altra forma di violenza non regolamentata. Pretendere che i personaggi mantengano le mani eticamente pulite mentre agiscono al di fuori della legge crea un costante corto circuito ideologico.

Espedienti di Trama Forzati e Scorciatoie dell'Ultimo Minuto: Negli episodi finali, la trama si aggroviglia in un accumulo di coincidenze irrealistiche. La gestione dei crimini del serial killer, l'introduzione di un emulatore/falso colpevole per coprire i precedenti buchi di trama e il posizionamento di tutti i personaggi chiave nello stesso identico luogo rivelano una scrittura pigra, che ricorre a scorciatoie di poco conto pur di far combaciare i pezzi.

Montaggio e Flashback Pasticciati: Il ritmo soffre enormemente per via di una gestione confusa delle linee temporali. I flashback vengono infilati a forza in mezzo alle scene senza chiari segnali visivi o narrativi, creando confusione tra eventi di vent'anni prima, sviluppi recenti e continui cambi di prospettiva dei personaggi.

Archi dei Personaggi Incoerenti: Il percorso della PM simboleggia i compromessi della sceneggiatura. Dopo 15 episodi passati a difendere lo stato di diritto e la giustizia formale, il suo improvviso sostegno ai vigilanti—pur mantenendo la sua carica ufficiale—invalida lo scontro ideologico centrale su cui lo show aveva cercato di costruirsi.

~ Il Giudizio Finale ~

Taxi Driver resta un prodotto piacevole sul piano puramente visivo e dell'azione, ma fallisce quando cerca di fare la morale al pubblico. Se avesse abbracciato con coerenza la natura marea e oscura di un vero revenge drama—senza cercare scuse etiche per i suoi protagonisti—avrebbe lasciato un segno molto più profondo. Una visione discreta per l'azione, ma una delusione per chiunque cerchi una scrittura solida e coerente.

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A Great Crime Thriller Drama for Matured Audiences

Taxi Driver did a great job executing a solid story concept seriously and maturely.
Most K-drama series tend to include unnecessary romantic subplots that add nothing to the overall story.
I'm glad Taxi Driver avoided that. As a man, I don't enjoy seeing a "knight in shining armor saving a damsel in distress" in the middle of an otherwise serious and compelling narrative.

The acting from the cast is fairly average, especially the main character and the hacker girl. It's hard to empathize with their emotional breakdowns due to how mediocre their performances are.
The only truly great actor in this show is the villain, Baek Sung-Mi. Her acting is impressive and really stands out compared to the rest of the cast.
However, my favorite characters are the mechanic/engineer duo—you’ll know exactly who I’m talking about if you’ve watched the series.
Those two have the best chemistry in the entire show.

The music is also pretty average, nothing outstanding or memorable, but not bad either.

Overall, even though the acting and music are just okay, what matters most to me is the storytelling, and on that front the show truly delivers.

I’ll probably watch the second season of this show.

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If the law won't help, do it yourself.

A story about people helping other people take revenge. An action packed show with stories that tugs your heartstrings combined with laughter and funny moment and a soundtrack with 80's vibes is how I would describe this show.

It starts of strong, dark cases with lots of violence but with some funny scenes to cut the heaviness. It does go downhill for me in the middle but goes back up towards the end, even if the heaviness from the beginning that I really liked never truly came back. It went from individual cases from different characters to cases involving the team, which isn't a bad thing per say, but I really liked learning the different stories and then see the team help them take revenge. That and seeing the gratitude after the case is done. That being said, the cases involving the team aren't less dark and gruesome, but you can feel the shift in the show.

The acting was superb the whole way through. Lee Je Hoon is great as the main lead and Esom did a really good job as Kang Ha Na (a character that for some reason got a lot of hate, which I do not get). Though all the actors did a great job Cha Ji Yeon really stood out. What a great performance.

I really liked the soundtrack on this one. When the synth part comes on, you know you are in for a ride. A taxi ride. (I'll show myself out)

Though the show had its up and downs I think it ended on a really good note which is why I still rated it quite high. And since it ended with an open ending, here's hoping for a second season!!

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Do-gi is goated

Be prepared for an extremely intense 16 episodes which has several sub-plots interconnected. I felt that this series did a really good job illustrating ‘morally grey’ characters (which definitely fits in with the entire plot itself) that the audience would feel extreme sympathy for yet be not able to justify their actions completely.

Personally, a factor that definitely made me root for the crew more despite the illegality of their actions was the fact that they have all experienced deep trauma themselves as well, which makes them all the more driven to help others heal.

On a side note, Do-Gi must possess superpowers for being able to take on a group of 20 men (mind you, they are meant to be bodyguards) at once, and effortlessly so.

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Such a great work!

one of my favorite shows!! such an impressive work.

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Revenge

Vigilantes! A team of victims who search to make justice.
Scary cases that make your skin crawl. I watched only to see the revenge.
Be prepared to see everything and more: beatings, bullying, violence against vulnerable people, exploitation, prostitution, the distribution of pornographic films, illegal organ harvesting, injustice, corruption... They didn't leave anything out.
Creepy, you're heart-heavy in the end. The only glimmer of light, this guy.
From 8th episodes I wanted a mythics revenge for this psyco and there wasn't.
In 9th, Swat and prosecutor are "chicken".
In 14th, I would have something to say! He want to fight towards a team of killers all alone? What a shitty idea!
He take the driver who get an accident where his friend were seriously injured and stay to watch him and let the villain escape and then chase him in a taxi? In the "prison" he beats everyone, there is no one left when he goes out into the square, then all at once they all arrive together nice perky and surround him? He follows the villain to the pier with the prosecutor on his heels but strangely he has time to drift with the car, beat, chase the bad one and only then help arrives. Timing that doesn't add up.

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How awesome when the hero says : "This is where the law stops... And I start... Sucker."
Or maybe it was just some cheesy American guy wearing sunglasses in the middle of the night, I can't remember.

The premise of the series is good, but there are a lot of slow bits, far too many ! and a lot of repetition. I skipped loads of pointless scenes. As for the first two seasons, I don't think they're very well made or well-paced overall. And to be perfectly honest, Lee Je Hoon really isn't a very good actor. He has a likeable quality about him, yes, and I enjoy seeing him on screen, of course, but he acts poorly ; always overdoing it or not doing enough at all. And that's the case in his other roles that I've seen him in before.

The thing about this series and its seasons is that you can pause it at the end of each segment. Watch something else, then come back to it. That’s what it's designed for. So that's what I did. The overarching storylines add absolutely nothing. And it's a pleasure to catch up with this fine team of avengers. Always ready to take down the scum.

But at times, I could no longer indulge my lowest instincts for revenge. You have to know when to take a break. Especially since we always assume that criminals are driven by pure malice. They choose these cases for that reason, of course, but what about all those who are criminalised simply because they're trying to survive ? We don't see them and no one takes revenge on them ; that wouldn't fit with the spirit of the series.
We remain on the side of the victims, whose tormentors are set to get a taste of their own medicine.
The team is always one step ahead. Just when you think the protagonists are cornered, it turns out everything was planned from the start. At times, this is reassuring and comforting. Given my anxiety, I'll take it.

I get the feeling that every case is based on real events... People settle their scores here.

S01
_The part about videos uploaded to an adult website (filmed without the victim's knowledge) is discussed by Stephanie Soo in her podcast. The series even includes the boss who wants to kill chickens with a sword. (Yes, really) A boss who, in real life, apologised on camera by reciting a text he'd learnt by heart. Why ? Who helped catch him ? We'll never know. (Probably an employee...)
_Maria, the first victim the heroes come to the rescue of (and who returns in season 3), has her employers using her identity to take out insurance policies and launder money. It reminded me of that Chinese talent agency that used to do that. Their clients obviously have no idea. It happened to the sadly departed Yu Menglong (may he rest in peace); he was starving to death whilst his identity was being used to move colossal sums of money. (When Chinese celebrities are convicted of tax fraud, one can't help but wonder whether they themselves knew about it before the police arrested them and the courts convicted them...)
_The episodes about bullying at school, the same thing happened to me. Two bullies were waiting in my living room ; they were chatting to my mum as if they were my friends. Seeing them when I got home was really hard. You don't feel safe anywhere. I still tremble when I think back on it. I can easily imagine that these episodes are based on a real-life incident.

S02
_The bit about phone scams and people being held captive abroad: there’s also a Korean film on that subject. Citizen of a Kind (2024). A decent little film.
_The section on the cult, how can you not think of the JMS Church ? Not treated at all here as it has in Save Me. An extraordinarily intelligent series that perfectly captures the grip of religion. Watch Save Me !
_BlackSun, I don't think I need to go into detail. When the team started taking an interest in the club, I was pleased, even though they were throwing humour at such a serious matter. But actually, it's a good thing the sense of comedy is there, as it makes it bearable. With the courts unwilling to do anything, and the police equally unwilling as they're completely involved, the K-dramas are taking it upon themselves to punish them… a very small consolation for the many victims whose lives have been destroyed.

S03
_The Japan storyline isn't exactly gripping. I'd already watched season 1 of Tokyo Vice, and it wasn't great, so I'm not particularly excited about this "crossover".
_Ep.04, music from Paprika, correct ? That bit about the submerged cars wasn't very interesting.
_The section on the idol agency is by far the best. Sadly, all too many real-life stories fit the bill. They recruit very young women (or men), control every aspect of their lives, separates them from the world outside, shape their minds and bodies ; how on earth could that possibly go well ? Exploitation in its most basic form : making people believe that working hard to line the pockets of the rich is a privilege. "She's an idol, she can't say anything to anyone"
(Kang Na Eon is excellent as the tyrannical, manipulative manager. She reminds me of the one in the documentary about Katseye)
Go, Elements ! or not. Whatever.
_The episodes about fake adverts that turn into harassment, there's a Korean film on the same theme : Don't Buy the Seller. What a living hell. Absolute nightmare.
_On the island, I thought it was going to be about AHAE, but actually it wasn't. The whole phase of exploring the place works well ; you wonder what mystery awaits them. And the Rainbow taxis that waste the scammers' time were both funny and satisfying.
_The latest investigation involving the army… I hate the army. A profoundly disgusting institution that destroys even its most ardent defenders. Here's the proof. What's more, South Korea has a very dark history of people being killed on charges of communism, whether true or false. To justify its existence, the authorities see threats everywhere, and if they can't find any, they make them up.
"Unity !" behind the guys with guns, I guess.

_No ! I'll NEVER buy your "Kopiko" ! If I want coffee, I'll make it my-self.
_Why is the OST synthpop ?

Ready for a season 4, comrades.

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The cast will definitely woo you to watch this! ?

For those of you who have not watched this drama is missing out big time!!!! A webtoon adaptation, this one's a brilliant series. Each 2 episodes follows up with a case of justice and not a repeated storyline. The initial Opening OST is so mesmerising that gives you an adrenaline rush. An amazing cast, great harmony amongst them with details pertaining to each character's individual growth as well as screen time, it gives justice not only to the perpetrators but also to each actor and a message to each one of us. The cameos are to watch out for as they are brilliant too. I had a great time watching this drama and would definitely recommend it to all. Loved it throughout.

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A THRILLING RIDE OF JUSTICE, ACTION, AND HEART

It is a thrilling mix of action, emotion, and social commentary that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The revenge driven story is both entertaining and meaningful, blending suspense, humor and heartfelt moments. Lee Je Hoon delivers a standout performance, especially in his intense action scenes, while the Rainbow taxi team adds depth and warmth with compelling characters like Go Eun.

Though the antagonists are often forgettable and some cases resolved feel a bit unrealistic, the gripping episodic stories, many inspired by real life crimes, carry strong emotional weight.

The pacing is steady and engaging, the writing is impactful, and the soundtrack heightens the tension even if it's not individually memorable. Despite average cinematography, the drama leaves a lasting impact and stands out as one of the most engaging show in its genre.

Plot 8.5/10
Acting and Characters 9/10
Cinematography 8/10
Writing 9/10
Pacing 8/10
OST/Score 8/10

Overall 8.5/10

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