Taxi Driver 3 has pushed its tension to an explosive peak as it heads toward its finale. Lee Je-hoon confronts the hidden darkness inside a military base while tracking down the truth behind Jeon So-ni’s death.
In episode 15, which aired on January 9, Kim Do-gi (played by Lee Je-hoon) and the Rainbow Dark Heroes infiltrate a military unit to investigate the suspicious death of Yoo Seon-a (played by Jeon So-ni), Do-gi’s former junior from his special forces days. The episode delivered a true climax with its suffocating pace and large-scale narrative.
Ratings reflected the heated response. According to Nielsen Korea, episode 15 recorded a peak viewership of 12.9 percent and 11.4 percent nationwide and in the metropolitan area. The 20–49 demographic rating also climbed to a peak of 3.6 percent, ranking first among all programs aired on Friday. As the series approaches its conclusion, Taxi Driver 3 once again proved its strong cultural impact and popularity.
Do-gi is devastated after learning of Yoo Seon-a’s death through Park Jae-won (played by Kim Seo-ha), who once served under him in the special forces. Official records state that Yoo died in an explosion after attempting to defect to North Korea and steal weapons. However, suspicions deepen when she is posthumously demoted by three ranks, an unusual and alarming decision. Leaving everything behind, Do-gi declares, “I’m requesting reinstatement,” and heads back to the military.
Following Do-gi’s trail, the Rainbow members also infiltrate the base. Starting with Park Joo-im (played by Bae Yoo-ram) reenlisting, followed by Jang Sung-chul (played by Kim Eui-sung), Go Eun (played by Pyo Ye-jin), and Choi Joo-im (played by Jang Hyuk-jin), each member adopts a different disguise to complete the Rainbow-style team play. Their absurd roles as generals, intelligence officers, and even mobile PX staff added humor while sustaining tension.
Suspecting their movements, Commander Kim Tae-hyun (played by Kim Jin-wook) and First Lieutenant Lee Hyung-in (played by Park Do-wook) arrest the Rainbow members. At that critical moment, Do-gi appears in military uniform and instantly overturns the situation. His sudden appearance reveals what he had been doing during the hidden two-week period, adding greater density to the narrative.
With help from a high-ranking military official, Do-gi infiltrates Unit 2802 under the pretext of an “Emergency Black Eagle Nest Investigation,” secretly tracking Yoo Seon-a’s death together with Park Jae-won. Along the way, evidence gradually emerges that Commander Kim and Lieutenant Lee systematically covered up the incident.
The decisive turning point comes at the end of the episode. Recalling what he once taught Yoo Seon-a, Do-gi realizes she may have hidden crucial evidence in the “bird’s nest.” There, he discovers her body camera. The footage shows Yoo sacrificing herself to save her comrades. Overwhelmed with grief and rage, Do-gi breaks down in tears.
What will be the final outcome of the massive truth disguised as a soldier’s mysterious death, and how will the Rainbow Dark Heroes deliver their last act of justice? The final episode of SBS Taxi Driver 3 airs on January 10 at 9:50 p.m.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
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