When K-pop Meets J-drama
Kang Hyewon, former IZ*ONE member turned rising actress, is set to make her big debut in Japanese primetime drama. She’ll star alongside Japanese heartthrob Eiji Akaso in “Kimbap and Onigiri ~ Two Who Love, Alike Yet Different”, premiering on TV Tokyo’s Drama Premier 23 slot on January 12, 2026.
A Love Story as Tasty as It Sounds
The title may sound like a late-night snack order, but “Kimbap and Onigiri” dives into something deeper: a heartfelt romance between two people from different cultures trying to find common ground. Like kimbap (Korean seaweed rice rolls) and onigiri (Japanese rice balls), they may look similar but taste completely unique — sound familiar?
Kang Hyewon’s Acting Leap
Hyewon plays Park Rin, a Korean grad student studying animation in Tokyo. Navigating a foreign land, language barriers, and her own career dreams, she meets Daigo Hase (played by Akaso)—a former college track star now working aimlessly at a small izakaya. Their story unfolds as they slowly fall for each other, learning that love might be the greatest cultural bridge.
From Stage to Screen (and Now to Japan)
This marks Hyewon’s first time starring in a Japanese broadcast drama — and expectations are sky-high. Since her years in the project group IZ*ONE (born from PRODUCE48), she’s transitioned steadily into acting and modeling. Earlier this year, she was named a muse for Japanese fashion brand SNIDEL, further cementing her popularity in Japan.
Co-star Eiji Akaso is no stranger to Korean fans either. He held his first fan meet in Korea in October 2023 and even appeared on singer KangNam’s YouTube channel. So yes, this isn’t your average bilingual casting—it’s a fan service masterclass.
Global Release Incoming
And in case you’re wondering how to watch it—Netflix will stream the series worldwide simultaneously with its Japanese broadcast. Missed an episode? Not to worry: catch-ups will be available via TVer and Lemino.
Final Thoughts
“Kimbap and Onigiri” isn’t just a drama; it’s a cultural experiment wrapped in rice and sealed with love. Think Terrace House meets Your Name, with a K-drama heart. If you’re into slow burns, aesthetic romance, or anything cross-border cute, consider your January binge list officially started.
