Jane Han is the North America editor for The Korea Times. Based in Seattle, she has covered business, culture and social issues across the United States for over 15 years. She previously worked at The Boston Globe.
Lee Je-hoon chokes up after second SBS top award win for 'Taxi Driver'
Actor Lee Je-hoon attends the red carpet event for the 2025 SBS Drama Awards at SBS Prism Tower in Mapo District, Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap
By Jane Han
Actor Lee Je-hoon won the top award at the 2025 SBS Drama Awards, marking his second grand prize in two years, for his performance in the ongoing series “Taxi Driver.”
Lee received the honor during the awards ceremony held Wednesday evening through the early hours of the new year at SBS Prism Tower in Sangam-dong, Mapo District, Seoul. He was recognized for his portrayal of Kim Do-gi, a vigilante taxi driver who carries out revenge on behalf of victims wronged by criminals.
It was Lee’s second time taking home the top prize at the SBS Drama Awards. He previously shared the grand prize with Kim Tae-ri in 2023 for “Taxi Driver 2.”
Accepting the award, Lee said acting has only grown more difficult the longer he has pursued it.
“There are many moments when I wonder if this is all I’m capable of,” he said, adding that the unwavering support of fans has helped him endure those doubts. Fighting back tears, he credited viewers for sustaining the “Taxi Driver” series for more than five years, saying their anger, empathy and sincere hope that such crimes would disappear have kept the series alive.
Based on a webtoon of the same name, “Taxi Driver” debuted in 2021 and quickly became one of the network's signature franchises, expanding to three seasons. “Taxi Driver 3” was also selected as this year’s Drama of the Year, an award recognizing artistic excellence.
The ceremony also paid tribute to veteran actor Lee Soon-jae, who was posthumously honored with the Achievement Award following his death last month at the age of 91.
A video highlighting Lee’s life and career was shown during the ceremony, accompanied by a recording of his words reflecting his philosophy on acting: “An actor must do everything. One must continue to reflect and question endlessly.”
While the overall tone of the ceremony remained subdued, celebratory moments helped usher in the new year. The cast of the drama “Try,” winners of the Best Teamwork Award, took the stage together to deliver New Year’s greetings and perform a traditional deep bow, drawing cheers from the audience. A countdown followed, with attendees exchanging New Year wishes as the clock struck midnight.
Other major honors were spread across a wide range of genres. Yoon Kye-sang received the Director’s Award, while the Top Excellence Award for miniseries performances went to Park Hyung-sik and Go Hyun-jung in the genre and action category, Lee Jun-hyuk and Han Ji-min in melodrama, Choi Woo-shik and Jung So-min in romantic comedy and Yook Sung-jae and Kim Ji-yeon in the human and fantasy category. The Excellence Award for mini-series romantic comedy performances was awarded to Jang Ki-yong and Ahn Eun-jin.