'Taxi Driver 3' Begins: Pyo Ye-jin Plays Bait, Luring Loan Sharks with Daring Undercover Operation

The highly anticipated third season of SBS's hit drama 'Taxi Driver' kicked off with a bang on March 21st, immediately gripping viewers with its signature blend of thrilling action and social commentary.

In the premiere episode, the Rainbow Taxi Company team is called to action when a distressed student named Yoon Yi-seo contacts them for help from Japan. Team leader Kim Do-gi (Lee Je-hoon) infiltrates her school as a teacher to uncover the truth behind her predicament.

It's revealed that Yoon Yi-seo fell victim to mobile gambling, encouraged by a friend, which led her into crippling debt. Desperate, she was lured to Japan by loan sharks promising to clear her debts. Go Eun (Pyo Ye-jin) exposes the predatory lending scheme, highlighting an astronomical annual interest rate of 5000% by cleverly splitting small loans into even smaller, illegal contracts.

Stunned by the audacity of the scheme, Go Eun volunteers for a dangerous undercover mission, proposing, "If it's okay, can you leave this to me this time? I have a way." She bravely assumes the role of a gambler, feigning losses to draw out the loan sharks.

Confronting the loan sharks, Go Eun plays the part of a naive gambler who lost everything. They attempt to ensnare her further by offering interest benefits for referrals, but she skillfully dodges their traps by revealing she lives alone and has no friends, implying she has no means to repay them.

After successfully gathering intelligence, Go Eun reveals that the operation is linked to a company called 'Neko Money,' funded by Japanese capital, and the mobile gambling game itself originated in Japan. With this crucial information, the Rainbow Taxi team boards a ferry to Japan, determined to rescue Yoon Yi-seo and dismantle the criminal organization.

Korean netizens lauded the premiere, with comments like "Pyo Ye-jin's acting is insane," and "This season is also worthy of the 'Taxi Driver' title," praising the cast's performance. Many were particularly impressed by Go Eun's daring undercover infiltration, with fans exclaiming, "I was on the edge of my seat," and "Detective Ahn Go-eun is the best!"