Is Taxi Driver Based on a True Story? Plot and Ending Explained
by Rajesh | Updated Apr 25, 2023
Taxi Driver
"A Taxi Driver" starring Song Kang-ho, Thomas Kretschmann, Yoo Hae-jin, Ryu Jun-yeol is a 2017 South Korean historical drama film. It was directed by Jang Hoon and written by Eom Yu-na. It was released on August 2, 2017. The movie is about a widowed father and taxi driver driving a German reporter from Seoul to Gwangju to uncover the 1980 Uprising and how he regrets the decision after being entangled in the violence around him. The film received a good review and was selected as the South Korean entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 90th Academy Awards. It was also a commercial success, ranking as the twelfth highest-grossing South Korean film and the second highest-grossing film of 2017 in South Korea.
Is Taxi Driver Based on a True Story?
Yes “A Taxi Driver” is based on a true story. It moves around Seoul taxi driver starring Song Kang-ho who becomes involved in the Gwangju Uprising in 1980. It is based on the real-life story of German journalist Jurgen Hinzpeter and his interactions with the driver, although most of the plot in the movie including the driver's life and events outside of Gwangju are purely fictional which do work out for the movie plot.
Taxi Driver Plot
Kim Man-Seob is a taxi driver from Seoul struggling to meet his needs fulfilled. He overhears a piece of news about a job of 100000 won from another taxi driver. The job is to take the German reporter Jurgen Hinzpeter from Seoul to Gwangju. Man-seob, seeing an opportunity to make a lot of money, decides to take the job unaware of the protest in Gwangju. On the way, they tricked and manages to barge into Gwangju with Peter posing as a businessman.
Upon reaching Gwangju, Man-seob and Peter witness the brutality of the military dictatorship on the student protesters and the resulting chaos. Man-seob turns back, unwilling to be involved in the civil unrest. On the way, he takes pity on an old woman and brings her to the local hospital to look for her son, who turns out to be one of the college students. Peter opposes Man-seob about leaving him halfway and offers to pay up part of the fare, but the locals refuse to let Peter pay until Man-seob finishes the agreed trip. Man-seob soon realizes and begins to develop a sense of responsibility towards the people of Gwangju. As the situation in the city worsens, Man-seob and Peter team up to document and report on the events they witness. That evening, Man-seob's taxi breaks down and one of the local taxi drivers helps him with an overnight repair and lets them stay at his place for the night.
Worried about his young daughter, Man-seob goes to Seoul the next morning with the fake Gwangju license plates. On the way, he overhears reports of the events in Gwangju, and he drives back to the hospital to find Peter in shock and Jae-sik's corpse. Peter urges Man-seob to return to Seoul and his daughter, but Man-seob insists on staying by his side and becomes more involved in the uprising, he risks his own life to help the protesters and ferry injured people to hospitals. When the military launches a massive assault on the city, hundreds of civilians die and Man-seob risks everything to save a group of protesters from certain death.
At the airport, Peter and Man-Seob bid farewell to each other. Before moving, Peter asks Man-seob for his name and contact number, but Man-seob gives him a name of a cigarette company and a false number in Peter's notebook. Peter broadcasts his footage about the Gwangju Uprising Man-seob reunites with his daughter. In the end, Peter attempts to search for "Kim Sa-bok", only to know that he doesn't exist.
What is the Story behind Taxi Driver?
The story behind “A Taxi Driver” was the events of the Gwangju Uprising happened between May 18, 1980 to May 27, 1980 and was estimated to have killed around 2000 people. The uprising was a result of the gathering of college students and citizens to protest against the government for democracy and human rights. The protest soon turned violent as the military cracked down on the demonstrators, resulting in a five-day conflict that left hundreds dead and thousands injured. The Gwangju Uprising is a major turning point to be noted in South Korean history, as it set the stage for the country's transition to democracy in the following decade.
Taxi Driver Ending Explained
At the end of the movie it was shown, the military launched a massive assault on the city, killing hundreds of civilians and Man-Seob risks his own life to save a group of protestors from death. Man-Seob and Peter try to escape but the army open fires on their taxi. Local taxi drivers intervene allowing Man-Seob and Peter to escape. Before departing, at the airport, they bid farewell to each other and Peter asks Man-Seob for his name and number. Man-Seob gives him a false name and a number. Peter broadcasts the footage recorded in the uprising and Man-seob reunites with his daughter. On further trips to Seoul, Peter attempts to search for "Kim Sa-bok", only to be told that he doesn't exist.
Taxi Driver Trailer
Is Taxi Driver based on a true story - FAQs
The movie “A Taxi Driver” was released in August 2, 2017.
Jurgen Hinzpeter is the reporter in the movie.
Gwangju uprising happened between May 18, 1980 to May 27, 1980.
The movie was directed by Jang Hoon.
It is the second highest-grossing film of 2017 in South Korea.