A new romance drama starring Kang Hye‑won, former member of IZ*ONE, is generating buzz even before its first episode airs on January 12. Titled Gimbap and Onigiri, the series stars Kang alongside Japanese actor Akaso Eiji and will premiere simultaneously on TV Tokyo in Japan and Netflix worldwide.
Gimbap and Onigiri tells the story of Park Rin, a Korean graduate student studying animation in Japan (played by Kang Hye‑won), and Taiga Hase, a former track athlete now working part‑time at a Japanese restaurant (played by Akaso Eiji). Though their lives seem different on the surface, like gimbap and onigiri—similar yet distinct—they are drawn to one another as they clash, connect, and eventually fall in love.
Kang Hye‑won first rose to fame in 2018 as a contestant on Produce 48, debuting with IZ*ONE and remaining with the group until its disbandment in April 2021. She debuted as an actress later that year in the web series Best Mistake Season 3. Since then, she has appeared in various dramas including Seasons of Blossom, Boyhood, Friendly Rivalry, and Spirit Fingers. Gimbap and Onigiri marks her first Japanese drama role and her return to romance projects nearly four years after Seasons of Blossom.
A lifelong fan of Japanese animation, Kang has often cited shows like One Piece, Bleach, Attack on Titan, and Your Name as favorites—an interest she says helped her connect with the Japanese cast and crew. Interestingly, Bleach is also a TV Tokyo broadcast, tying her personal interests to the network airing her drama.
The project was co‑produced by TV Tokyo and Japanese studio Babel Label, with both Korean and Japanese titles announced simultaneously—a rare move that highlights its dual‑market intent. The team spent nearly two years in planning and completed filming in the summer of last year.
A noteworthy addition to the creative team is Korean screenwriter Lee Na-won, who has written Japanese films and series such as Hell for You. On her participation, Lee said, “This project means a lot to me, especially being able to write in both Korean and Japanese.”
Supporting roles include Moon Ji‑hoo as Kang’s senior in university, Seo Hye‑won as her friend cheering her on from Korea, and Bang Eun‑hee as her on‑screen mother. All are making their Japanese drama debuts, and funnily, Seo Hye‑won shares the same name as Kang Hye‑won—a small coincidence that delighted fans.
The series’ emotional tone is enhanced by music from Korean singer‑songwriter and pianist Jeon Jin‑hee, who composed the theme song. The soundtrack also features NCT WISH’s Same Sky and Japanese artist Masanori Otoda’s Colors of Happiness as the ending track.
In press interviews, Akaso Eiji shared his impression of Kang: “I expected her to seem quiet at first, but she was nothing like that. She was warm and easy to talk to.” Kang, in turn, praised Akaso’s support on set, especially when facing language challenges, saying, “Even unfamiliar Japanese dialogue became manageable because he helped me understand and adapt.” She added that her love of anime sometimes helped her recognize words or expressions on set.
Asked about the differences in filming cultures, Kang said, “Though the language was different, everyone shared the same goal of making a good show. The working style wasn’t as different as I expected.”
Akaso highlighted the drama’s emotional core: “I hope audiences focus on how Taiga and Rin grow and fall for each other beyond cultural boundaries.” Kang echoed this sentiment: “I want this work to not just evoke nostalgia for some, but inspire growth and connection for others.”
TV Tokyo described Gimbap and Onigiri as a “pure love story” capturing the unique dynamic between two people shaped by different cultures and values. Producer Koga Kimitaka—who spent about two years developing the series—previously worked on the TV Tokyo drama Sa Do, which popularized sauna culture among young Japanese audiences.
Though specific budget figures haven’t been released, industry insiders believe the production cost far exceeds average Japanese late‑night dramas, thanks to extensive location shoots in both Seoul and Japan and involvement from the respected Babel Label. This scale supports expectations that the series will be a high‑quality tentpole drama tailored for global Netflix audiences.
Early reactions to trailers and posters have been overwhelmingly positive, with comments like “The title already feels romantic,” “Kang Hye‑won looks stunning,” “Her Japanese is impressive,” and “I’m really excited for this!” appearing across social platforms.
Gimbap and Onigiri will air every Monday from 11:06 PM to 11:55 PM on TV Tokyo and simultaneously drop on Netflix worldwide. The series is pre‑produced and is expected to span at least eight episodes.
Kang Hye‑won, once known as part of IZ*ONE’s visual line and beloved for her friendly and warm personality, continues focusing on her acting career under her current agency, PEACE—while delighting fans with this exciting step into international drama.
Sources: Wikitree
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