Actor Lee Je-hoon shared his thoughts on playing various alternate personas through "Taxi Driver 3."
On the morning of the 19th at a café in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, an interview with Lee Je-hoon marking the conclusion of SBS's Friday-Saturday drama "Taxi Driver 3" (director Kang Bo-seung | writer Oh Sang-ho | produced by Studio S, Group Eight, B.A. Entertainment) was held.
Lee Je-hoon played Kim Do-gi in "Taxi Driver 3," delivering a story with a scale upgraded beyond seasons 1 and 2 and a more spectacular narrative, serving as the central axis of Rainbow Transportation. In particular, he returned this season with even more realistic alternate personas, which increased immersion.
In the final episode of "Taxi Driver 3," the truth hidden behind the death of Yoo Sun-ah (played by Jeon Sonee), the superior, was revealed, and it was discovered that after Yoo Sun-ah learned the secret of the operation she sacrificed herself to save her colleagues. Using her final message and video as clues, they began to trace the truth of an operation secretly devised within the military, and at the end of that trail was the "martial law villain" Oh Won-sang (played by Kim Jong-soo).
Asked whether he felt burdened by the martial law subject matter, he said, "Because the story's beginning itself is a work of fiction created on a dramatic story, I think I was mainly concerned with how I could portray the character Kim Do-gi in that situation."
He added, "I can't say much about the message of that episode, but I think the episode talked about what dangers might occur when power is unchecked and how important citizens' choices and solidarity are in that situation."
He went on to say, "A big event happened in Korea, and people in 2025 may interpret that situation from their own perspectives, but because that part came across to many as a sense of crisis, I think the writer's feelings and thoughts were woven into the Taxi Driver story. Because the writer honestly included opinions about what they monitor and feel happening not only in Korea but around the world, I was also able to consciously feel that aspect."
Because the series included scenes dealing with martial law, some criticism emerged. In response, he said, "I think every work is open to different interpretations by each person. There may be majority opinions and there may be minority opinions. There are parts that are interpreted from the current standpoint, but as time passes interpretations may change, so if this series continues effectively, season 3 might receive a different evaluation."
Having portrayed several alternate personas through season 3, he said, "I think I no longer have characters left to pull out. I have to start over from the beginning. I also felt I need to relearn acting. After filming ended I spent more time emptying myself. I have been thinking about how I can capture a new side of myself, and it felt like a time to seriously contemplate acting."
When asked "How did you empty yourself?" he said, "Last year I was so busy I watched series and movies I hadn't been able to see. I walked a lot, watched people while walking around, imagined what kinds of lives people lead and what characters I could play, and sketched those ideas."
[Photo] Provided by Companion
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