Actor Kim Ui-sung has shared his thoughts on the possibility of a fourth season of the hit drama Taxi Driver, offering a measured and realistic outlook despite the franchise’s continued success.
The comments came during a recent interview held at a café in Gangnam, Seoul, following the conclusion of Taxi Driver 3, in which Kim Ui-sung plays Jang Seong-cheol, the head of the Blue Bird Foundation and the figure overseeing the secret revenge operations of Rainbow Transportation.
“Taxi Driver” follows a group of so-called “dark heroes” who seek justice on behalf of victims failed by the legal system. Led by former special forces officer Kim Do-gi, portrayed by Lee Je-hoon, the team includes hacker Ahn Go-eun (Pyo Ye-jin), engineer Choi Kyung-gu (Jang Hyuk-jin), and researcher Park Jin-eon (Bae Yoo-ram).
Drawing inspiration from real-life cases, the series has resonated strongly with viewers by combining social commentary with cathartic storytelling.
Reflecting on the end of the latest season, Kim Ui-sung expressed deep gratitude toward audiences. He said viewers consistently supported the characters with unwavering trust rather than simple like-or-dislike reactions, calling that support a meaningful emotional experience for the cast.
He added that the affection shown toward him sometimes feels greater than what he personally contributes, likening the end of the season to parting with a long-term companion and hoping it is not a final goodbye.
The franchise has enjoyed remarkable ratings success since its debut. The original season ranked fourth overall—and first among dramas—in viewer preference rankings in May 2021. Season 2 reached the top spot in April 2023, and Season 3 continued the trend by again ranking first, solidifying “Taxi Driver” as a rare example of a consistently successful season-based Korean drama.
Asked about the pressure of returning for a third season after such achievements, Kim Ui-sung admitted the burden was significant. He explained that the cast and production team worked to strike a balance between the tone of the first two seasons, engaging in extensive discussions from the planning stage through script development.
According to him, the entire team pushed themselves to the point of exhaustion in hopes of delivering a season they could stand behind without regret.
On the prospect of a fourth season, however, Kim Ui-sung remained cautious. He emphasized that popularity alone is not enough to sustain a long-running series, noting that many factors must align for production to continue.
He also pointed out the financial and structural challenges of producing terrestrial television dramas, describing content creation as far more complex than it may appear. Still, he suggested that if circumstances allow, the cast and crew would likely want to continue the story a bit longer.
When asked whether the actors have openly discussed another season, Kim Ui-sung said such conversations have not taken place directly. He explained that raising the topic too explicitly could create unnecessary pressure. Instead, he described an unspoken understanding among the cast—an exchange of glances that quietly conveys the hope of meeting again on the same project in the future.
While no official decision has been made, Kim Ui-sung’s remarks reflect both appreciation for the series’ journey so far and a grounded awareness of the realities behind extending a successful franchise.
