[SINGAPORE] Lee Je Hoon Explains His Driving Style and More at Exclusive Press Conference

Shyly poking his head around the corner, Lee Je Hoon sported bright smiles as he warmly addressed the Singaporean press. The Korean actor, of Taxi Driver fame, sat down for an exclusive press conference at the Resorts World Convention Centre ahead of his Fan Meet ‘VACATION’ on 25 March. The fanmeeting in Singapore was the third and final stop of his Fan Meet tour, which also visited Manila and Jakarta earlier in March.

The ‘VACATION’ series was perfectly timed to coincide with the airing of Taxi Driver 2, a return of the smash-hit drama which was first broadcasted in 2021. Besides Taxi Driver, the actor is also known for his slew of lead roles in popular dramas, including Signal (2016), Tomorrow, with You (2017), and Move to Heaven (2021). 

Lee Je Hoon looked ecstatic to be here—the actor’s last official visit to Singapore was in 2017 to promote Tomorrow, with You, but he has made several visits to Singapore on his personal schedule upon the easing of pandemic restrictions. Visiting Sentosa, where the press conference was held, was especially exciting as it was a first for him. “I usually go around the city by foot, but it’s tough to walk all the way to Sentosa.” His favourite Singaporean dish? Hainanese chicken rice, chilli crab, bak kut teh…“I’d just go for a buffet,” the actor quipped. 

Out of all the personas Lee Je Hoon has pulled off for Taxi Driver, the character of Wang Tao Zi was a fan favourite. “I don’t have any of his flamboyant fashion in my personal closet though,” he clarified. In contrast to his sleek, all-black ensemble for the press conference, the actor revealed that he dons the local uniform of T-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops when going around Singapore. Addressing the popularity of Wang Tao Zi, the actor shared that he would love a spinoff featuring the romance between Wang Tao Zi and Madam Lim. 

As an action-heavy series, filming for Taxi Driver was certainly no easy task, but he found strength in the companionship of his fellow cast members. “I was lonely during Season 1 as I was filming alone most of the time. There were more scenes with the Rainbow team in Season 2, especially in the basement where we held meetings, so filming for Season 2 was more exciting for me,” explained the actor. “Time passed very quickly when I was having fun chatting and bantering with my cast members. I had to force myself to calm down when the cameras started rolling.” Upon request, the actor graciously showed everyone present how quickly he gets into character, seamlessly switching between the stoic Kim Do Ki and his own bubbly self.

The risky driving he portrayed in Taxi Driver is certainly not recommended for the roads. While he was a by-the-book driver before, he has learnt some unsafe driving techniques while filming for the show. This includes accelerating to dangerous speeds, cutting off other vehicles, and even drifting. “I never go over the speed limit and I always stop at the right time,” assured the actor. “That bold Taxi Driver does come to mind sometimes when I’m on the road on my own, but I keep myself in check.”

It is without a doubt that the drama’s global success has made the actor a familiar face, including with Singaporeans. “When I hail a ride in Singapore, the drivers would be surprised to see me from their rear mirrors,” he shared. As Singapore is one of his favourite countries to visit, the actor hopes to be back in the country soon.

We would like to thank Viu Singapore for having us at the press conference.

Written by: Gloria
Photos by: Agnes

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