Actor Jeon Sonee instantly captivated home viewers in Taxi Driver 3 with explosive charisma hidden behind an unadorned appearance.
On the 9th and 10th, episodes 15-16 of the SBS Friday-Saturday drama Taxi Driver 3 (written by Oh Sang-ho / directed by Kang Bo-seung) featured Jeon Sonee in a special appearance as Yoo Seon-a, a corporal in counterterrorism team 1 and a direct subordinate of Kim Do-gi (Lee Je-hoon), delivering a powerful performance that pierced the drama's core narrative.
In the drama, Yoo Seon-a appeared unusually striking even in flashback scenes. During training she stuck a paint dagger into Kim Do-gi's flank and retorted, "This is a dying message," showing a bold, spirited demeanor that was fully in keeping with a soldier's resolve. Jeon Sonee embodied "soldier Yoo Seon-a" with a makeup-free face, disciplined posture and precise action. Her steady gaze that did not yield even before veteran Lee Je-hoon left a strong impression on viewers and elevated immersion in the drama to its peak.
Yoo Seon-a was a junior whom Kim Do-gi cherished so much he praised, "I have nothing more to teach you." Kim Do-gi showed unusual affection, saying, "If your safety can't be secured, give up the important information," but Yoo Seon-a's fate turned tragic. She became embroiled in a suicide vest incident because of the corruption and deceit of superiors. Jeon Sonee sensitively portrayed the complex emotional line of the despair of being betrayed by the organization she trusted and yet trying to fulfill her duty as a soldier, moving viewers to tears.
The highlight of this episode was Yoo Seon-a's final battle. While moving to the assigned position, Yoo Seon-a forced her subordinates riding in a truck to disembark to secure safety, then took the wheel alone and drove toward certain death. As she gathered the problematic suicide vests and classified documents to deliver them to the military prosecutor, her venomous outburst to the corrupt forces blocking her — "You are no longer soldiers. Prepare to take off your uniforms" — is counted among the standout moments that plainly showed Jeon Sonee's spirit. Jeon Sonee left a body camera with Kim Do-gi to secure evidence until the last moment and died gloriously on the battlefield, preserving her pride as a soldier and leaving a deep aftertaste.
After the broadcast, viewers poured out heated reactions on communities and social media such as, "This is a rediscovery of Jeon Sonee," "Now I understand why Kim Do-gi was so sad," and "The uniform suits her so well and the action is refreshing."
Jeon Sonee infused a potentially flat soldier character with her own color, expressing both warm affection for comrades and a toughness that would not compromise with injustice. Her fearless action and the disciplined bearing unique to special forces members drew praise such as, "I would believe she was an actual soldier," reaffirming her position as an actor audiences can trust to watch.
Beyond a simple special appearance, Jeon Sonee demonstrated a presence that pierced the overall flow of the drama, and attention is focused on what new facets she will surprise the public with in her future endeavors.
[Photo] SBS
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