Taxi Driver 3: Episodes 11 and 12 Recap
Taxi Driver 3 returns with episodes 11 and 12 on December 26 and 27, 2025, continuing the SBS crime thriller’s intense narrative. The series stars Lee Je-hoon in the lead role, supported by a talented cast including Pyo Ye-jin, Kim Eui-sung, Jang Hyuk-jin, Bae Yoo-ram, Esom, and Shin Jae-ha. Adapted from the webtoon The Deluxe Taxi Red Cage by Carlos and Lee Jae-jin, Taxi Driver 3 draws inspiration from real-life crimes, weaving a gripping tale of justice delivered outside the law.
The Premise
The story revolves around Rainbow Taxi, a seemingly premium cab service that serves a dual purpose. When the legal system fails to protect victims, the team takes matters into their own hands, delivering justice on their own terms. This unique premise sets the stage for a series filled with suspense, moral dilemmas, and the quest for retribution.
Episodes 11 and 12: A Darker Turn
In these episodes, the focus shifts to a large-scale second-hand marketplace scam that reveals a more sinister criminal network operating behind the scenes. The narrative kicks off when Chief Choi encounters Maria, who shares a heartbreaking story about her adopted daughter. The eight-year-old girl, wanting to buy her sick adoptive father a pair of leather gloves, ends up receiving only a brick in the mail instead.
Initially, Chief Choi believes this to be a simple online fraud case and attempts to resolve it alone. However, after losing his own money and finding no leads, he realizes the gravity of the situation and enlists the help of the Rainbow Taxi team.
Unraveling the Scam
As the investigation unfolds, Kim Do-gi and Go-eun encounter a woman who attempted to take her own life due to the torment inflicted by the scammers. She shares her harrowing experience of being scammed while trying to buy baby products, only to receive a photo of two fish and a brick. When she reported the incident to the police, they dismissed it, leading her to take drastic measures.
Determined to expose the scammers, she had posted the seller’s information online, which only led to further harassment from the scam ring. The Rainbow Taxi team, moved by her story, devises a plan to bait the scammers by pretending to look for tickets to a popular girl group concert.
Infiltrating the Scam Ring
The bait works, and Do-gi receives a response from a seller claiming to have the tickets. However, when they trace the scammer, they discover he is merely a low-level worker. Under pressure, he reveals that he has never met the real mastermind, known only as the “general manager.” The team then forces him to resign, leading to a new recruitment notice that allows Go-eun to infiltrate the scam ring.
Go-eun pretends to sell concert tickets to Do-gi, but instead of using the scam ring’s account, she uses her own bank account. This move enrages the general manager, who begins to harass her, mirroring the torment inflicted on the previous victim. Anticipating his reaction, Go-eun remains unfazed, and the confrontation escalates when Do-gi tracks down the general manager.
A Deadly Revelation
Inside the general manager’s house, Do-gi discovers a trove of undelivered products, revealing the scale of the scam. However, the situation takes a darker turn when the general manager receives a package that he believes will help him counter the ransomware Go-eun has planted. Ignoring Do-gi’s warning, he opens the package, which contains a hidden bomb that explodes, killing him instantly.
In the aftermath, Do-gi suffers temporary tinnitus from the blast but quickly spots a seafood truck leaving the scene. Tracing the vehicle leads them to a seafood restaurant in the far north, which has connections to a temple on an island even farther north.
The Island Mystery
Do-gi and Seung-cheol travel to the island, where they check into an inn and visit the temple. Inside, Do-gi notices that the lanterns resemble ledgers with names written on them. Their investigation is interrupted by a police officer accusing them of trespassing, forcing them to leave.
Later, they encounter suspicious individuals, including a photographer and a man with a bloodied fish bucket. The next day, they spot the photographer leaving the island with police officers, prompting Do-gi to return to the temple. Inside a hidden room, he uncovers a massive criminal operation, complete with passports and CCTV footage from various locations.
Emotional Closure
As the episode concludes, Chief Choi returns the leather gloves to the young girl, who joyfully gifts them to her sick adoptive father. This poignant moment serves as a reminder of the personal stakes involved in the team’s quest for justice.
Taxi Driver 3 continues to air twice a week, with episodes 13 and 14 set to premiere on January 2 and 3. The series is available for streaming on Viki, captivating audiences with its blend of suspense, drama, and moral complexity.
