[26.01.11] Taxi Driver 3 Parodies Martial Law and ‘Burger Meeting’

Taxi Driver 3’s Boldest Parody Yet…From ‘Burger Meeting’ to Martial Law

📍Drama Mirrors the Dec. 3 Martial Law Controversy, Blurring the Line Between Fiction and Reality

SBS’s Friday-Saturday drama Taxi Driver 3 has sparked widespread attention with a daring parody that recalls martial law and the so-called “burger joint meeting.” Episodes 15 and the finale incorporated striking similarities to the Dec. 3 martial law controversy, delivering a sharp satire closely aligned with real-life events.

SBS's Friday-Saturday drama ‘Taxi Driver 3’ is drawing attention with its bold parody reminiscent of martial law.

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🔹 Final Showdown Against a Military Conspiracy
Episodes 15 and 16 aired on March 9–10 depict the final operation led by taxi driver Kim Do-gi (Lee Je-hoon) and the Rainbow Taxi team to stop a large-scale conspiracy within the military.

Throughout the series, Taxi Driver has drawn inspiration from real-world crimes and scandals, reinforcing its theme of justice served. From overseas job scam schemes in Season 2 to secondhand market fraud and celebrity exploitation cases in Season 3, the show has consistently offered cathartic resolutions rooted in social issues.

🔹 Martial Law and Burger Meetings Brought to Screen
This season went further, dramatizing elements reminiscent of martial law planning, retired generals, draft proclamations, burger shop meetings, and protest light sticks symbolizing impeachment rallies—key images associated with the Dec. 3 incident.

In the finale, conspirators plan to send soldiers to the northernmost border and kill them with explosives, framing the incident as a North Korean attack. The plot is orchestrated by Oh Won-sang (Kim Jong-soo), who seeks to use the incident to declare martial law.

🔹 “A Civilian Controlling the Military?”
The Rainbow Taxi team is stunned upon uncovering Oh’s background. Ahn Go-eun (Pyo Ye-jin) explains that he was dishonorably discharged for sexual misconduct and now raises livestock in the countryside as a civilian. Park’s reaction—“A civilian controlling the military?”—underscores the shock.

Oh drafts the martial law declaration at his home, beginning with “Dear citizens,” citing constitutional provisions to justify nationwide emergency rule. He later meets loyal officers at a burger restaurant.

🔹 Echoes of Former Intelligence Chief
The storyline closely mirrors allegations against former Defense Intelligence Commander Roh Sang-won, who was dishonorably discharged in 2018 and later accused of plotting insurrection after convening senior officers at a burger shop days before the Dec. 3 declaration.

The character’s name, attire, and actions strongly resemble Roh’s public appearance when he was transferred to prosecutors in December 2024.

🔹 Citizens’ Light Sticks Overturn the Plot
Ultimately, the conspiracy collapses due to the Rainbow Taxi team’s intervention. Fireworks replace explosives at the border, while citizens’ light sticks shimmer below.

Kim remarks that the conspirators have realized their vision was a delusion, and Jang Sung-chul (Kim Eui-sung) emphasizes that ordinary citizens saved the nation.

🔹 Ratings Success Amid Political Reality
Earlier episodes also referenced remarks associated with former President Yoon Suk-yeol, reinforcing the show’s satirical edge.

According to Nielsen Korea, the finale recorded a nationwide rating of 13.3%, peaking at 16.6%. Meanwhile, final arguments in the real-life trials of Yoon, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, and Roh have been postponed to March 13.

'Taxi Driver 3' concluded with high viewership ratings.

One-line summary : Taxi Driver 3 concluded with a powerful parody of martial law and political intrigue, blurring the boundary between drama and reality.