Search “Taxi Driver Korean drama Netflix” and you get a confusing mess: some regions have it, some don’t, and the newest season isn’t on Netflix at all. Here is exactly where each season streams, and what you’re signing up for — because this is not a show about driving a taxi.
- Seasons 1–2 stream on Netflix in selected regions (plus Viki, KOCOWA and Viu)
- Season 3 is not a Netflix release — it runs as a Viu original internationally
- It is a vigilante revenge thriller based on the webtoon The Deluxe Taxi
What Taxi Driver actually is
Kim Do-gi (Lee Je-hoon) is a former special forces officer who works for Rainbow Taxi — a company that looks like an ordinary cab service but secretly takes revenge jobs for crime victims the legal system failed. Clients call the “deluxe taxi”, tell their story, and the team delivers justice the courts couldn’t.
The premise comes from the webtoon The Deluxe Taxi by Carlos and Lee Jae-jin. Many of the cases are loosely modelled on real Korean crimes, which is a big part of why the show hits harder than a standard action series — the anger driving each episode is recognisable from actual headlines.
Seasons and where they stream
| Season | Aired | Episodes | Where to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | Apr–May 2021 (SBS) | 16 | Netflix (select regions), Viki, KOCOWA, Viu |
| Season 2 | Feb–Apr 2023 (SBS) | 16 | Netflix (select regions), Viki, KOCOWA, Viu |
| Season 3 | From Nov 21, 2025 (SBS) | Weekly, Fri–Sat | Viu original internationally — not Netflix |
That last row is the one that trips people up. If you finished seasons 1–2 on Netflix and waited for season 3 to appear, it won’t in most regions: the international rights went to Viu (excluding South Korea and mainland China). In Korea the show airs on SBS and streams on Wavve.
Netflix availability for seasons 1–2 also varies by country, so check the title page in your region before recommending it to a friend abroad.
Why it works
- Case-based structure — each arc runs two to four episodes, so it never drags. You can feel the webtoon pacing
- Lee Je-hoon does his own heavy lifting — the action is grounded, not superhero-flavoured
- Real-crime echoes — school violence, voice phishing, workplace abuse. The villains feel familiar, which makes the payback satisfying
- No romance detour — rare for a K-drama. The show stays on mission
Before you start
- Content warning — the crimes depicted (assault, fraud, abuse) are shown with enough weight to be uncomfortable. It earns its revenge, which means the setup can be rough viewing
- Seasons are watchable independently — season 2 softens some of season 1’s darkness and works fine as an entry point, though season 1’s Esom storyline is worth not skipping
- Spoiler-safe zone ends here — we have kept plot details out of this guide beyond the premise
Bottom line
Taxi Driver is the K-drama to pick when you want catharsis over romance — a revenge procedural with real-crime weight and some of the cleanest action on Korean TV. Start with seasons 1–2 on Netflix if your region has them; just know that the season 3 chase moves to Viu.
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FAQ
Is Taxi Driver on Netflix?
Seasons 1 and 2 stream on Netflix in selected regions, alongside Viki, KOCOWA and Viu. Season 3 is a Viu original internationally and does not stream on Netflix in most countries.
Is Taxi Driver based on a true story?
It is based on the webtoon The Deluxe Taxi by Carlos and Lee Jae-jin. Individual cases are fictional but many are loosely inspired by real Korean crimes, which is part of the show’s impact.
Do I need to watch season 1 before season 2?
Not strictly. The case-based format means season 2 stands on its own, and some viewers find it an easier entry point. Season 1 provides the backstory for Kim Do-gi and the Rainbow Taxi team.
How many episodes are there?
Seasons 1 and 2 have 16 episodes each. Season 3 began airing on SBS on November 21, 2025, with new episodes weekly on Fridays and Saturdays.
Is it very violent?
It is a revenge thriller, so expect fights and depictions of the crimes being avenged — fraud, assault, abuse. It is heavier than a rom-com but not gratuitous by thriller standards.
