Taxi Driver 2 (2023)

A banger season 2!

For those of you who have not watched this drama is missing out big time!!!! A webtoon adaptation, this one's a brilliant sequel to the awesome Season 1. An amazing cast, great harmony amongst them with details pertaining to each character's individual growth as well as screen time, it gives justice not only to the perpetrators but also to each actor and a message to each one of us. With the highest ratings in this timeslot this year, surpassing their own rating history from S1, this one is a must watch. Great OST this time as well. Following up to the episodes, although the first few episodes kinda were slow-burn, the latter half initially picked up their own awesomeness and delivered promising end as well to all the sub plots cum individual cases. Loved it throughout.

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a mediocre watch at its best & painful at its worst

How this drama went from being a dark and violent action thriller with cases that would either make you furious or leave you heartbroken in season 1 to this lame attempt at the same plot is unfortunate!

Coming from someone who, when presented with anything that is centred around vigilante justice, will devour it up, this season was a huge miss and it physically hurts me to say this.
In season 1, you could connect to the deluxe taxi team members and understand where they were coming from- each one of them had been wronged and were carrying unresolved trauma from the past, they had stories to tell and justice to get.
Even the other cases depicted were often so raw and so brutal that it sometimes got overwhelming but then that was the essence of this drama. It made you question at times what exactly was the right thing to do.

This season however had none of that. It was considerably less violent and dark and the cases- that very much had the potential to be brutal and tug at your heart strings and make you feel something- were presented in a very lacklustre manner. And what were those punishments? did you see what that guy was doing to the kids? how does taking his wealth away do anything?

The major flaw was the weaker writing this time around. Our heroes for justice had it too easy throughout the show and the villain despite having a lot more power were always one step behind. It was caricature-ish at times which I think was intended with some over the top performances but yeah didn’t work for me.

More often than not I can take my brain out and set it aside for some mindless entertainment but for that I must love the main characters, unfortunately there was no chemistry among the team members - nothing,zilch- I felt nothing for them and couldn’t be more bothered about who got hurt or even which actor played whom except for maybe kim do gi (who doesn’t like a good looking man?) There was no character development whatsoever- could very well have had machines doing their jobs!At least one of them should have had an individual arc or maybe could have introduced a new character who they end up taking under their wing.

One of the bits that annoyed me was the comedy if you could call it that- the two car guys were essentially there for some slapstick comedy to lighten the mood but boy did it not work! I would often find myself cringe at their lame attempts.

They couldn’t even make me hate the bad guys. Embarrassed to say it out loud but I was so done with the good guys always getting their way that I found myself rooting for the villain- like please for once be smart and don’t do the dumbest and most predictable shit ever but I guess they didn’t think of me as someone powerful enough to listen to and well see whose loss it was!

Also, do these writers know that it is okay to maintain an aura of secrecy around a new character and not letting the audience know about their true intentions? Make us doubt if they actually are the bad guy for once! I am so done with those characters sticking out like a sore thumb while pretending to be normal and this is also both the actor’s and director’s fault. How about introducing a new character who doesn’t scream I am a foe for once?

The product placement was still very much in your face - someone please take notes from our one dollar lawyer- but the prosecutor not being a part of this show spared me from that stick balm thing to look refreshed.
Coming to that I missed her here, not that her character wasn’t pretty bland and annoying at times but her joining the deluxe taxi team was something to look forward to and I wish they had cast someone else for that role given the original actress had prior arrangements.

They left too much unresolved for the last 2 episodes. If you’re going for a redemption arch do it sooner and not squeeze it in the last episode.I really liked the cameo in the last episode, that woman has such great screen presence that she lit up the screen and I for once wasn’t tempted to shut down my laptop.

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Hardcore Rainbow Taxi member

S2 celebrates the kinship among the Rainbow taxi members. They are the core of the entire season. Its also where it shines brightest and helps you oversee the flaw and some holes in the story.

Where it pales to Season1:
Not as gritty. Season1 was drippling with suspense and often at the edge of your seat thriller. Season1 tiltering between black white and grey had this intensity that couldnt be reciprocated in Season2.

Where it's better in Season2:
Camaderie among the taxi driver members. Their rapport and always having each others back. Their loyalty and love is just really sweet.
The individual cases are much more fleshed out and the variety and scope of the cases were really good.

Highlights
The linking cases and big bad boss. The audacity of the moves Do Gi and the team makes. The subtle flirting between Do Gi and Go Eun. The cameo from Nam Goong Min and Kim So Yeon (very well used imo). The character of Oh Ha Jun who initially irked me and yet evoked sympathy later.

Issues
Some of the infiltration was orchestrated alittle too easily. It feels like you have to defy belief to just roll with it. And Do Gi's been protrayed like superhuman and Go eun a superhacker. There are also glaring plotholes here and there. Theres also alot of product placements that you and I may not care for.

Why I rate it higher than S1
The same reason why I tune in to watch. Ive formed an attachment to Taxi driver the series and its characters. Its almost like watching your child graduate from highschool and enter university. A new chapter, stronger kinship but different experience. S1 was alittle too gory and often I debated in dropping it as I couldnt agree with the punishment Do Gi belted out against the wrong doers. He almost seem like a grim reaper. Here S2 is a fairer vigilante. Most of their methods of punishment is less cruel, not as violent and non fatal.

S3 I pray they dont harm this series and the love I have for each of the cast. Plus it wouldnt feel the same if we are missing any of the core members.

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Getting lost in the success of the series.

To be honest, I'm a little disappointed with this second season. What made the first season a different series from the typical corny action dramas was the emotion.

In season one, we discovered characters that were brought together by tragedy, they were all emotionally damaged, with trauma, it was raw.

Here we can't say that there were a lot of emotional elements on the side of the characters. They were just going through the motions from case to case, it's a very listless pace. Their characters didn't deepen but on the contrary became much more caricatural and superficial like in these series — which as I said are very corny.

I don't know, I was expecting something more gritty and dark, something that would held my breath but it fell flat.

The antagonist doesn't have much screentime, barely one or two scenes per episode sometimes not even at all, even after his reveal. Also, I wanted more intensity but our protagonists foil their plan easily, there was nothing much to expect as the script seemed predictable.

The comic element was much more present — also the product placements.

This season felt easy and predictable, just ... there. I don't think it was a good follow-up from the first season. When the first episode ended with a mysterious sniper, I was super pumped but in the end it didn't lead to much, the characters didn't evolve. I had renewed hope with the club storyline but it was very boring there too, the antagonists really didn't pick up that they had even enemies. It was so uneventful and lackluster.

Overall a disappointment. I don't know if it's due to the popularity of the series who didn't bother to try harder, but I expected better. I'm not saying it's all bad, the scenes are well done, the production, especially the stunts.

If there is season 3, I expect more but given the success of the series I think they will double down again on the cheesy and comedy aspect.

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Here's my take on what I've seen so far. I watched season one in 2021 but went back to rewatch this a few weeks ago after finding out there was going to be a season 2. I wanted to vividly remember why I loved the first season and I'm being truthfully honest. I'm glad I rewatched the first season because to me it seemed like it picked up right where it left off once they were able to get rid of the second main antagonistic group.
The plots are the same. The revenge factor is the same except that some scenes are a bit more grittier than the first. Some of the cast that made it seem like they were going to be in season 2 is not in season 2 so far.

I love the cast but it seems like the two guys are dumber than dirt this time around. For one to be good with cars and the other a rocket scientist their skills are truly dismal in the second season. I love their chemistry but I really don't like side kicks who act like Jim Carey.

Unfortunately I knew who the antagonist was before the sixth episode. Makes me wonder how that scenario is going to play out.

I'm hoping against all possible hope that there's no romance in this. It never bodes well and it would be a waste. I got a funny feeling that it will go in that direction. I'm hoping it won't.

Alas as for me, I'm loving the second season. After coming from watching The Glory and it's dismal watered down revenge drama, this one is exceeding my expectations so far.

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Shin Jae-ha (On Ha-joon) kind of outshined Lee Je Hoon

Plot wise I feel it’s kind of similar to season one. I mean this is an awesome series just that I actually thought season 2 will be more enticing. Lee Je Hoon is an amazing actor but there was no breakthrough with his role in season 2. Not his fault but probably the screenwriter should have work on his character development. I feel that Kim Do Gi has no growth in season 2.

Everything was too smooth. Kim do gi can solve everything. Kim do gi does not have any conflict. The cases does not impact him personally. He’s just cleaning up the trash.

Is this another case of production team riding on the popularity of season 1 and then not putting in the effort for season 2.

What was truly outstanding in season 2 was Shin Jae-ha portrayal of On Ha-joon. He started off as a innocent character with his hair combed down like a high school kid and as a villain with his hair combed up and all dressed in a suit. I initially thought these are 2 different actors. That was how deceptive his character was.

He was funny, cute and innocent in 1 scene and a crazy psychopath in the next scene. What a promising actor. I hope drama awards will recognise his potential and hope he can choose great scripts in future.

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Other ways to help people

Again i will try not to make too much spoilers and also not to talk that much but really i got exited with things i love :).

Plot: This season is not really the same, revenge got them in big problems and it wasn't really working so this time they just help people without it. The stickers change their message but our team keeps being a strong one (Even when Sung Chul tried to make them go away).

This makes all the diference. It is not as dark as the first season, we get much more humor but still see how people can be the worst. Special mention gets the case with the kids, wich is heartbreaking even thinking about people actually doing that just for money.

We also get a villain arc during all the season something i really like and think was well developed since the villain have his own sad backstory. It makes you question destiny, how different life will be if things happen any other way (In this case, we see On Ha Joon asking if things will be different if he meet the crew before).

Kudos to Shin Jae Ha who was great in his performance.

Characters: This season Kim Do Gi is clearly their leader. Felt like Sung Chul got to touched by his mistake in thinking he got Baek controlled so he is listening to Do Gi more.

Mr. Park and Mr. Choi are in a quest to protect Do Gi at all cost (As if he needs it lol) so we get to see them around more than the first season. I love them because they're hilarous. That first episode when they travel all the way to Vietnam to help him, got lost, Do Gi end up finding them on the road (Mr. park thinking he is a delusion because he is that hungry lol) and getting them food while they keep saying how they're there to help him is peak comedy. Do Gi soft looks is also love, how he really see them as family (He is even happy when both of them get in prision in the last eps to help him too)

Do Gi and Ahn Go Eun also have more screen time toguether and is pretty obvious she have feelings for him. If this is going to go somewhere i don't know but i wouldn't mind. Is not a romance show but they're good together. Also i like to see her beat some ass thanks to her police training.

Hightlights: The biggest hightlight for me this season is Lee Je Hoon brilliant performance. How he change characters in a manner of seconds is fascinating to watch. also, as i already said, i loved On Ha Joon arc even when is was pretty obvious he was fishy since the start.

Negatives: Mostly there is this one thing from the final ep that irks me a lot and is how the priest knows about Do Gi trigger with the whistle? He just saw them in a drawer and got his own conclusions? That was weird.

Also the advertising was a little cringe at times but nothing awful.

All in all i love it so bring it season 3!!!!

Again shout out to Wang Tao Chi and Madam Li we need them in season 3 too ;).

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Different than S1, but still good!

I think most people find S1 better is because it related to the personal stories of the characters so there was more aggressiveness and anger in there.
Their approach to S2 wasn't bad. Most of their stories got resolved in S1, and in S2 they do show that Do Gi still has his trauma & how Go Eun is also trying to move on (with that episode of that religious cult and how two sisters were separated ). They didn't show much, and wanted to tie majority of the cases to the Bishop's organization which is fine.
The unrealistic elements in this drama has always been there since S1, it's just for entertainment and no need to throw logic into each situation. I like how they tried to make this more comedic and lighter whereas in S1 it was slightly more dark. I also think the Prosecutor Kang Hana role in S1 was slightly annoying. The revenge never disappoints though. In each case, the villains get what they deserved.
I felt they tried to make the Black sun similar to burning sun which I'm glad they covered that.
The cameo role for KSY was interesting. But it also feels random that they threw in first taxi driver in there. It just makes me wonder how long this deluxe taxi has been going on for.
As for the cliffhangers, I really wish they wouldn't leave off a cliffhanger unless they planned for S3. They just left a case hanging in the end. I think it was a nice case too since it does happen in the military.

There was obvious product placement in this season. I didn't mind it, but wish they would cut it down a little. I think showing the coffee candy once was enough, same with the tonic.

Acting- They all act so well. LJH acting as a country bumpkin or something else. We saw so many different sides. I was skeptical about SJH's character, but he did good too. I felt some pity for him in the end with that plot twist.

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Phenomenal at its best, cringeworthy at its worst

Like the first season, we see an assortment of crimes that the Rainbow Taxi crew goes about resolving. The quality of the show varies from case to case - though most if not all are drawn from real life crimes, some are much more compelling than others.
It's always entertaining to see the group play different roles as they hoodwink criminals while getting their revenge. At its best, it draws a light on justice not being fully carried out, and hints at some of the corruption within the legal system. There's a pointed difference between the rulings you see when all the evidence is given to the courts in this show, versus the lighter sentences in real life.

What I didn't quite like was the interactions between members of the Rainbow Taxi group. Too much of the dialogues between each other was excessively cheesy and cliched. At its worst, it feels like you're watching a bad action movie, with a level of corniness that just makes you want to skip to the next episode. I think this season could have done a better job showing the camaraderie between the group without just repeating lines that we've all heard a million times.

The BGM continues to give this show a unique style, but I wish there was a little more variety. A couple of the heroic songs are played way, way too often, especially when nothing important's happening. If you have a BGM as good as this show does, there's no reason to waste it by overplaying songs.

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