Lee Je-hoon had an interview commemorating the end of Season 3 of Model Taxi at a cafe in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the 19th.
Lee Je-hoon said, “It’s been less than 10 days since the show ended. “I think I relaxed after receiving the grand prize,” he said. “I’m not the type of person who usually gets sick, but I got a severe cold and body aches. Still, I was able to watch the live broadcast,” he said with a laugh. He continued, “I felt a great sense of emptiness as the work that was broadcast every Friday and Saturday disappeared. “I need to calm these feelings down, but I am even more thankful that the series has reached season 3 and ended with a remarkable result,” he said.
‘Model Taxi’ is a private revenge drama in which a mysterious taxi company, Rainbow Transportation, and taxi driver Kim Do-gi (Lee Je-hoon) complete revenge on behalf of wronged victims. From season 1, which aired in 2021, to season 3, which ended on the 10th, all seasons were very popular.
Regarding the driving force behind ‘Model Taxi”s rare success as a season-based drama, he said, “There were fans who supported and cheered from season 1, and the production team’s feelings did not change even after season after season.” In particular, he repeatedly emphasized his trust in writer Oh Sang-ho, who wrote the play. Lee Je-hoon said, “The biggest person for us is writer Oh Sang-ho. Only with writing can actors and staff perform their respective roles. Thank you for writing well until the end.”
Lee Je-hoon cited the drama’s clear proposition as the reason for the success of ‘Model Taxi’. He analyzed, “”The story, which started with the logline of a multiple agency service, did not change until the end,” and “despite its repetitive format, this drama served as a window to relieve the frustration and stress that comes from the world changing too quickly.”
Episodes based on real events also caused a great stir. He said, “I was surprised at how similar the first episode of Season 2 was to the actual Cambodian incident.” “Crimes should not be repeated, but they are becoming more sophisticated and there are more temptations that are difficult to escape. “In such a world, I think Rainbow Transportation has become an entity that represents hope,” he said.
My thoughts on Season 3 were honest. Lee Je-hoon said, “The fact that I became an actor who could make it to season 3 was very touching. But the moment I received the script, those feelings disappeared,” he said. “I had to carry out another operation, and Kim Do-gi’s abilities were very different from mine.”
It was a season that required everything from Japanese and English acting to high-intensity action. Lee Je-hoon said, “I hoped it wouldn’t be awkward for native speakers. It could never be done roughly. “There were many moments when I tormented myself,” he confessed.
In particular, the ‘Hogu Dogi’ character that appeared in the used car incident episode attracted a lot of attention. He said, “I had a lot of concerns about how to express the secondary character in a fun way. “I was worried that it would be excessive or put too much strain on the episode,” he said. “I gained courage because the staff smiled. “It was a bit of a surprise, but in the end, it was a cute and lovable character,” he said.
The girl group episode was chosen as the most difficult challenge in Season 3. Lee Je-hoon laughed and said, “”I wanted to blame the writer when I saw the setting that required me to stand on stage.” He added, “”The K-pop industry may seem glamorous, but it also has a dark side. “I thought we needed to highlight that in a compelling way,” he said.
Lee Je-hoon also practiced for over a month for the girl group dance that didn’t work out. Lee Je-hoon said, “I had to dance with a girl group dance, not with a male idol dance. “I was embarrassed and worried that it might be a nuisance,” he said. “I approached it with the thought that it was the last stage of my life.” He said, “I clearly felt that the idol stage is not a place for just anyone. “I indirectly experienced that you can only be loved if you put in a lot of effort,” he added.
Lee Je-hoon said, “I really poured everything into this season,” and “I’m worried that I might not have more character and acting spectrum to show.” Nevertheless, there was no hesitation when asked about Season 4. He smiled and replied, “I have to do it.”
Among the true story motif episodes, the match-fixing story was chosen as the most memorable incident. Lee Je-hoon said, “The narrative of the relationship between father and son over the course of four episodes resonated with many people,” and “Mr. Choi Baek-ho’s OST was also a great help.”
He also pointed out changes in his relationship with the Rainbow Transportation family. Lee Je-hoon said, “Rainbow Fortune in Season 1 was dark, and Kim Do-gi did not give people their hearts easily,” and “In Season 2, they became comfortable, and in Season 3, they became a complete family.” He then laughed, saying, “It also resembles the change in relationships between actors in real life.”