Breaking the rating record of Season 1, “Taxi Driver 2” sets a good example for crime/thriller series
With its impressive success, “Taxi Driver 2” has become a representative seasonal crime drama.
SBS’s Fri-Sat drama “Taxi Driver 2” (written by Oh Sang Ho/ directed by Lee Dan, Jang Young Seok) aired its first episode on February 17th. This 16-episode private revenge drama tells about taxi driver Kim Do Ki (Lee Je Hoon) and Rainbow Taxi Company seeking revenge on behalf of unfair victims. Kim Do Ki and his team listen to the victims’ stories, directly punish criminals that make viewers enrage, and provide satisfying revenge scenes.
“Taxi Driver 2” is the Season 2 of the popular drama series “Taxi Driver”. The first season, starring Lee Je Hoon, Esom, Kim Eui Sung, Pyo Ye Jin, Jang Hyuk Jin, Bae Yoo Ram, and Cha Ji Yeon, was broadcasted from April 9th to May 29th, 2021. Receiving high expectations as the follow-up drama to “Penthouse 2”, “Taxi Driver” successfully captivated viewers and recorded the highest rating of 16% even in a fierce competition.
“Taxi Driver” is receiving more enthusiastic responses in Season 2. It already broke’s Season 1’s rating peak by recording 18.3% in episode 12. According to Good Data Corporation, “Taxi Driver 2” topped the TV-OTT drama category in 7 weeks of broadcasting. Lee Je Hoon also ranked No.1 on the popularity chart for drama cast for two consecutive weeks, while Shin Jae Ha, who plays the mysterious villain, came in 4th place.
In fact, “Taxi Driver 2” is receiving favorable reviews for presenting more developed revenge stories than Season 1. In Season 1, each episode focused on one incident. However, each case in Season 2 is divided into two episodes with more detailed developments.
It is also analyzed that more intense revenge in Season 2 has had a positive impact on ratings. Directed by Park Jun Woo, who previously directed SBS current affairs and cultural programs such as “Unanswered Questions”, “Taxi Driver Season 1” was marked suitable for viewers aged 19 or older. At the time of its broadcast, some people commented that the crime scenes were provocative. However, “Taxi Driver 2” directed by Lee Dan of “Our Beloved Summer” received a lower rating, expanding its audience range with more appropriate scenes that allow viewers aged 15 or older to enjoy.
Apart from keeping the same cast lineup and settings, “Taxi Driver 2”, which continues the story led by the character Kim Do Ki and Rainbow Taxi Company in Season 1, attracted fans with more exciting crime incidents. Therefore, anticipation for the next season is already high.
Studio S’s production director Hong Sung Chang said, “After Season 1 of ‘Taxi Driver’ ended, I discussed Season 2 with writer Oh Sang Ho. With the help of actor Lee Je Hoon, we began to write the script for Season 2”, adding “We talked about how there were so many things to implement justice in Korea, which allows us to make dramas with the crime thriller season format.”
Revealing that they put more effort into producing Season 2, director Hong continued, “We need to show more upgraded stories through every season”, adding “It is even more difficult to combine and add a different worldview to the already set worldview of our series.”
Another broadcasting official shared, “Since there is continuity in the story and the development of characters, viewers can continue to expect great things in the new season. From the perspective of a producer, I think this content has a high possibility of success”.
Source: Wikitree
