Kan Hyewon from IZ*ONE stars alongside Akaso Eiji in the new drama 'Kimbap and Onigiri,' exploring cultural differences in love.
September/30/2025 12:15Related Groups & Members
Kan Hyewon, from IZ*ONE, will co-star with actor Akaso Eiji. Today (30th), details of the drama 'Kimbap and Onigiri - The Two Who Fall in Love Are Similar Yet Different' were announced through official X and other channels. The lead is Akaso Eiji, with Kan Hyewon cast as the heroine. The show will start airing on TV Tokyo's 'Drama Premier 23' slot from January 12, 2026. Like 'kimbap' and 'onigiri,' which look similar but taste different, it is a pure love story between two people who are drawn to each other while being confused by the cultural and value differences between Japan and Korea. Akaso Eiji plays the protagonist, Taiga Hase, who was once expected to be a star in university ekiden but faced setbacks due to poor performance. Now, he works part-time at a small restaurant without any special dreams, living a dull life. Meeting the Korean heroine leads him to confront his life and take a step towards the future. Kan Hyewon plays Park Rin, a graduate student who came from Korea to study animation and struggles daily between her dreams and reality in unfamiliar Japan. This will be her first appearance in a Japanese terrestrial drama, and she is already attracting attention. The series will also be exclusively available on Netflix for worldwide streaming at the same time as each episode airs, with catch-up broadcasts planned on TVer and Lemino. Kan Hyewon, who was active in the girl group IZ*ONE formed through Mnet's 'PRODUCE48,' has since appeared in various works as an actress, captivating fans. In April of this year, she was selected as a model for the Japanese women's fashion brand 'SNIDEL,' actively engaging in activities in Japan. Akaso Eiji held his first Korean fan meeting in October 2023 and appeared on KangNam's YouTube channel 'Town Friend KangNami' in July, gaining popularity in Korea.
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Choo Young-woo recently shared vacation photos from Japan on Instagram, displaying his model-like visuals and a humorous self-shot. He is set to make his film debut in 'Even If This Love Disappears from the World' on December 24, alongside Shin Si-a and Choi Ye-na, with a notable kiss scene that has garnered attention.
On the afternoon of the 8th, Yena, formerly of IZ*ONE, returned to Korea via Incheon International Airport after attending the 10th Anniversary Asia Artist Awards 2025 in Taiwan. This award ceremony, the first of its kind for K-POP and dramas, will celebrate its 10th anniversary with events on December 6 and 7 at the National Stadium in Kaohsiung.
The Asia Artist Awards 2025, marking its 10th anniversary, took place in Kaohsiung with 55,000 fans. The event featured unique performances from K-pop stars and awarded various artists, including LE SSERAFIM and Park Bo-gum, with multiple honors. The night was filled with excitement and memorable moments.
Choo Youngwoo and Choi Yena shared delightful photos on Instagram after their collaboration at the Asia Artist Awards 2025. They showcased their chemistry during a performance, with Choo impressing fans with his charisma and visuals. Both born in 1999, they captured a lovely moment together backstage, further enchanting their fans.
The 10th Asia Artist Awards (AAA 2025) will take place in Taiwan with 55,000 attendees. Special performances by MCs Junho and Wonyoung, along with 24 artists, will feature unique collaborations. The event promises a grand scale with live broadcasts on MTN and Weverse.
On the afternoon of the 4th, Yena from IZ*ONE departed through Incheon International Airport for Taiwan to attend the 10th Anniversary Asia Artist Awards. This event, the first comprehensive award for K-POP and dramas, will take place on December 6 at the National Stadium in Kaohsiung, followed by the '10th Anniversary AAA FESTA' on December 7. Yena's collaboration with Hatsune Miku, titled 'STAR!', has also released its music video featuring choreography that draws stars.
IZ*ONE出身のチェ・イェナが「BEAUTY+」で新しいグラビアを公開し、インタビューでファンとの関係や音楽への情熱を語った。彼女は休息期を楽しみながら、アニメや趣味を大切にし、今後の活動に期待を寄せている。
On the afternoon of the 28th, a SHURINK HOME event took place in Songdong, Seoul, attended by celebrities like Jung Il, Kwon Eunbi from IZ*ONE, Dara from 2NE1, BewhY, and others. The event coincided with the funeral of Lee Seung-jae, attended by many actors, including Ha Ji-won. Fans of IZ*ONE celebrated Kwon Eunbi and Kim Minju being chosen as models for 'PARIS BAGUETTE.'
Yena, a former member of IZ*ONE, has launched her new original song 'STAR!' featuring virtual singer Hatsune Miku. The hybrid song showcases their charm and has already created a buzz on social media. The music video, released simultaneously, features Yena and Miku in a captivating world where they dance together, highlighting a cute choreography that fans will love.
