A new romantic drama is arriving to charm global audiences. The series is called Gimbap and Onigiri, a story about two people from different countries who find a connection. The show will be available on Netflix starting January 12, 2026.
The story centers on a Korean student living in Japan and a Japanese part-time worker. They meet by chance at a small restaurant. The series explores their growing relationship, showing how they handle cultural differences and support each other’s dreams.
This is not just another love story. It is a project bringing together Japanese and Korean actors and creators. They aim to share a gentle, relatable story about understanding and connection with viewers around the world.
What is Gimbap and Onigiri About?
The drama follows two main characters who are at a crossroads in their lives. Hase Taiga, played by Japanese actor Akaso Eiji, was once a promising university athlete. After a setback, he now works part-time at a small restaurant called “Tanomi.” He feels unsure about his future but starts to find small joys in his work, like creating new menu items.
The other lead is Park Rin, played by former IZ*ONE member and actress Kang Hye Won. Rin is a graduate student from South Korea studying animation in Japan. She is busy with her studies and faces a big problem when she is suddenly told to leave her student dormitory. Finding a new home in a foreign country is difficult, leaving her tired and stressed.
Their paths cross at the restaurant where Taiga works. Rin tries the onigiri (rice balls) he makes and finds comfort in the simple food. Taiga is touched by her smile as she eats. From this small moment, a special feeling begins to grow between them.
โWhen I first read the script, I realized that the main characters are about the same age as me, and we have a common thread of โpursuing our dreams,โ so I empathized with that feeling and was drawn into the world of the story,โ said Kang Hye Won about her role as Park Rin.
The title Gimbap and Onigiri refers to popular food items from Korea and Japan that look similar but taste different. This idea mirrors the story of two people who may seem similar on the surface but come from different cultural backgrounds.
Full Cast and Character Guide
The series features a mix of talented Japanese and Korean actors, creating a rich world around the two main characters.
The male lead, Hase Taiga, is played by Akaso Eiji. Akaso is known for roles in shows like Cherry Magic! This is his first leading role in a TV drama in five years. He describes his character as someone stuck in the past who begins to change after meeting Rin.
Playing the female lead, Park Rin, is Kang Hye Won. Kang is a former member of the K-pop group IZ*ONE and has acted in Korean dramas such as *Boyhood*. This marks her first appearance in a Japanese television drama. She practiced her Japanese lines for the role and connected with the character’s journey.
They are joined by a strong supporting cast:
- Moon Ji Hoo plays Kang Jun Ho, a kind friend and fellow Korean student who secretly has feelings for Rin. This is Moon Ji Hoo’s first role in a Japanese broadcast drama.
- Mai Fukagawa plays Miyauchi Masumi, Taiga’s former girlfriend who re-enters his life.
- Rin Kataoka is Somejima Noa, a regular customer at the restaurant who works at a bar while caring for her mother.
- Shodai Fukuyama plays Oba Akinori, Noa’s boyfriend, who is trying to figure out his path in life.
- Mitsuru Fukikoshi plays Taguchi Shigeo, the warm and supportive owner of the “Tanomi” restaurant.
The cast also includes Seo Hye-won, Bang Eun-hee, and Makiko Watanabe, who play friends and family members that add depth to the story of Taiga and Rin.
Global Release Date and Streaming Information
Gimbap and Onigiri has a clear release plan for viewers in Japan and around the world.
The drama will first air on Japanese television. It starts on Monday, January 12, 2026, on the TV Tokyo network. New episodes will air every Monday at 11:06 PM JST.
For international audiences, the show will be available on Netflix. In an important move, each new episode will be released on Netflix at the exact same time it airs on TV in Japan. This means viewers from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, and other countries can watch the show as it happens, without waiting.
The series is scheduled to have ten episodes. Following the weekly schedule, the final episode is expected to be released on March 16, 2026. In Japan, viewers can also watch episodes after they air using the free service TVer.
Behind the Scenes and Cultural Connection
The making of Gimbap and Onigiri was a true cross-cultural collaboration. The production involved writers, directors, and producers from both Japan and Korea. A producer from BABEL LABEL shared that the project took nearly two years to develop from an original script. The team worked carefully to build a story about two people from different nationalities growing together while respecting each other.
Music also plays a key role in setting the series’ tone. The ending theme song is “Shiawase no Iro” (The Color of Happiness) by Otoda Masanori. A special insert song, “Same Sky” by the group NCT WISH, will also be featured.
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The actors spoke about the experience of working together. Akaso Eiji mentioned that he found the script endearing, with characters who help each other overcome cultural barriers. Kang Hye Won noted that although the drama is set in winter, it was filmed during a hot Japanese summer, and she hopes the warmth of the characters’ stories comes through to the audience.
โAll the characters, including Taiga and Rin, are extremely adorable, so I hope you will watch over them with kindness,โ said lead actor Akaso Eiji.
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