---
title: "Taxi Driver"
year: 2021
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/taxi-driver-2021"
media_type: "tv"
tmdb_id: 119769
imdb_id: "tt13759970"
status: "Ended"
seasons_count: 3
episodes_count: 48
runtime_minutes: 64
community_rating: 8.2
vote_count: 203
content_rating: "TV-MA"
---

# Taxi Driver (2021) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/taxi-driver-2021

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

Taxi Driver is a South Korean television series that premiered in 2021. The show features a cast including Lee Je-hoon, Pyo Ye-jin, Kim Eui-sung, Jang Hyuk-jin, Bae Yoo-ram, Esom, and Shin Jae-ha. The narrative is based on the webtoon titled The Deluxe Taxi, also known as Deluxe Taxi, written by Carlos and Lee Jae-jin. The story is inspired by actual heinous crimes committed in Korea. The plot follows a former special forces soldier who is recruited to work for the Rainbow Taxi company. This business serves as a front for a secret organization that delivers revenge on behalf of victims who were not protected by the law. As the protagonist carries out these acts of retribution for his passengers, he is forced to question the true meaning of justice. The series is categorized as a drama featuring suspenseful and intense themes. It explores the experiences of a deluxe taxi driver operating within this clandestine group to address various instances of injustice.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "A former special forces soldier seeks justice for victims through a secret taxi service."

### Why Watch
- engaging premise based on real crimes
- strong ensemble cast

### Caveats & Content Note
- contains depictions of heinous crimes
- Tone & Suitability: The series features themes of injustice and violence based on actual crimes.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: revenge, action, thriller, dramatic

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | Rakuten Viki, OnDemandKorea, Kocowa Amazon Channel, Kocowa | Rakuten Viki | None |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads, Kocowa | Amazon Prime Video | None |
| **Canada (CA)** | Rakuten Viki, Kocowa | Rakuten Viki | None |
| **Australia (AU)** | Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads, Kocowa | None | None |

## Season Architecture & Lore Primers

### Season 1 (16 Episodes)
Taxi Driver is a South Korean action‑drama television series that premiered in 2021. The first season consists of sixteen episodes that aired on SBS from 9 April 2021 to 29 May 2021, each running approximately one hour and five minutes. The narrative follows a former special‑forces soldier who, after leaving the military, joins a covert organization that operates under the guise of a taxi company. Through this front, he and his team deliver retribution for victims who have suffered injustice and lack protection. The series is adapted from the webtoon The Deluxe Taxi (Red Cage) and is inspired by real‑life crimes in Korea. It stars Lee Je‑hoon as the lead, with supporting performances by Pyo Ye‑jin, Kim Eui‑sung, Jang Hyuk‑jin, Bae Yoo‑ram, Esom and Shin

## Filler vs. Essential Episode Classifier

- **Total Tracked Episodes**: 48
- **Crucial Mytharc Episodes**: 9 (19%)
- **Character Core Episodes**: 39 (81%)
- **Side Quest / Filler Episodes**: 0 (0%)

## Creative Credits

- **Created by**: Lee Ok-gyu
- **Networks / Studios**: SBS

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Lee Je-hoon** as *Kim Do-ki*
- **Kim Eui-sung** as *Jang Sung-cheol*
- **Pyo Ye-jin** as *Ahn Go-eun*
- **Jang Hyuk-jin** as *Choi Kyung-goo*
- **Bae Yu-ram** as *Park Jin-eon*
- **Yoo Seung-mok** as *Jo Jin-woo*
- **Jo In** as *Gang Maria*
- **Esom** as *Kang Ha-na*
- **Shin Jae-ha** as *On Ha-joon*
- **Lee Min-jae** as *Oh Hak-soo*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: What is the premise of the show?
A former special forces soldier works for a secret organization disguised as a taxi company to deliver revenge for victims.

### Q: Is the series based on a book?
It is based on the webtoon The Deluxe Taxi by Carlos and Lee Jae-jin.

### Q: Who stars in the series?
The cast includes Lee Je-hoon, Pyo Ye-jin, Kim Eui-sung, Jang Hyuk-jin, Bae Yoo-ram, Esom, and Shin Jae-ha.

### Q: What is the inspiration for the plot?
The story is inspired by actual real-life heinous crimes committed in Korea.

### Q: When was the series released?
The series began airing in 2021.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [Taxi Fare - TLC - NYC.gov](https://www.nyc.gov/site/tlc/passengers/taxi-fare.page)
- [Taxi Driver (South Korean TV series) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxi_Driver_(South_Korean_TV_series))
- [How to Get a Taxi in NYC 2026 | Tips & Fun Facts - Loving New York](https://loving-newyork.com/taxi-in-new-york-city-yellow-cabs/)
- [Taxi Driver (TV Series 2021- ) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13759970)
- [THE BEST 10 Taxis in MANHATTAN, NY - Verified Listings Only - Yelp](https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=taxis&find_loc=Manhattan%2C+NY&msockid=1a691247d1b962cc0fd105c3d0486323)
- [Prime Video: Taxi Driver - Season 1](https://www.primevideo.com/detail/0FZ0FJ1AV3703V8P18F0YX8PRH)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*