"Kimbap and Onigiri" premieres on Jan 12, 2026, showcasing a love story between a Japanese and Korean couple, with global Netflix release.
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On TV Tokyo, starting January 12, 2026 (Monday, holiday), the drama premiere 23 "Kimbap and Onigiri - The two in love are similar yet different -" will be broadcast (every Monday at 11:06 PM). Like "kimbap" and "onigiri", which look similar and have similar ingredients but taste different, this work depicts a pure love story between two people of different nationalities, Japan and Korea. It has also been decided that it will be exclusively available on Netflix worldwide, starting at the same timing as the terrestrial broadcast of each episode. This love drama is set to reach not only Japan but the world. Akaso Eiji plays the protagonist, Hase Taiga, and Kang Hae-won, from IZ*ONE, plays the heroine, Park Rin, as previously reported. Recently, five additional cast members have been announced. The characters surrounding Taiga and Rin will be played by a cast from Japan and Korea. Kang Jun-ho, who secretly has feelings for Rin while warmly supporting her during her study abroad in Japan, will be played by Moon Ji-hoo, who has appeared in many works, including the drama "Jugglers - Love Magic for the Ice Boss -" and "The Third Marriage", and won the Male Excellent Acting Award at the "MBC Acting Awards" last year. This will be Moon Ji-hoo's first appearance in a Japanese terrestrial drama. He came to Japan from Korea and challenged filming while fluently speaking Japanese that he is studying. Masumi Miyauchi, Taiga's high school girlfriend who rekindles feelings for him after a long reunion, will be played by Mai Fukagawa, who has been active in a wide range of works, including the NHK morning drama "Manpuku" and the starring film "Bubuzuke Doudosu". Noa Somejima, a regular customer at the small restaurant "Tano Mi" where Taiga works part-time, who works at a snack bar while taking care of her mother, will be played by young actor Rin Kataoka, whose performance in the NHK morning drama "Tora ni Tsubasa" has been a hot topic. Akinori Oba, Noa's boyfriend who continues to play pachinko every day, will be played by Shodai Fukuyama, who is in high demand for dramas across various networks, including the NHK Taiga drama "Berabou". Furthermore, Shigeo Taguchi, the owner of "Tano Mi", who gently watches over the young people who gather at the store, will be played by Mitsuru Fukikoshi, an actor who skillfully portrays a wide range of roles from light-hearted characters to cold-hearted villains in works like "Yami Baito Kazoku" (TV Tokyo) and "Tokusou 9" (TV Asahi). Despite being confused by cultural and value differences, the love story between Taiga and Rin, who are drawn to each other, and the ensemble drama of the young people surrounding them, is something to look forward to. Comments from the cast, including Moon Ji-hoo, have arrived. ◆ Moon Ji-hoo (Kang Jun-ho role) I was very excited when I received the offer for a drama in Japan this time. The character I play, Kang Jun-ho, is a truly straightforward character full of compassion for Rin. I hope you enjoy his gentlemanly and passionate way of loving. "Kimbap and Onigiri" can be enjoyed as a pure youth drama, but it is also a work that many people can relate to regarding the feelings of struggling between work and love. I hope those who are a bit tired of daily life or want to feel the excitement of their forgotten youth again will watch it. Please look forward to it! ◆ Mai Fukagawa (Masumi Miyauchi role) It is a very cute and warm love story, and above all, all the characters were depicted attractively, so I wanted to support everyone while reading the script. The character I play, Masumi, is Taiga's ex-girlfriend, and at one point, we have a chance reunion. As I get involved with Taiga again after a long time, Masumi's feelings also change, so I would be happy if you could watch until the end. I think it’s a drama that makes you feel excited and hungry with all the delicious food. Please watch it! ◆ Rin Kataoka (Noa Somejima role) When I read the script, I felt again that the feelings of struggling to love someone are the same, even if the countries and cultures are different. While playing Noa, I realized that it is wonderful to dedicate oneself to others, but if that direction is wrong, it can make others unhappy. Sometimes, love that watches over or abandons is important. I hope you pay attention to Noa's story. "Kimbap and Onigiri" features Taiga, played by Akaso, who is a bit unreliable but charming. Please look forward to this work, colored by its uniquely individual characters! ◆ Shodai Fukuyama (Akinori Oba role) Personally, I have always wanted to act with overseas actors. When I heard the story, I was very happy that one of my goals was achieved and that I could participate in a project involving members from Japan and Korea. Akinori Oba is, from an outsider's perspective, "THE loser." However, I wondered if he might have his own straightforwardness? I acted while thinking about whether I could live as a charming presence. Differences in nationality, language, and values create various walls in love and human relationships. But perhaps because we don’t know or understand, we want to accept, respect, and connect with each other. I really like the "shakiness," "warmth," and "connections" depicted in this work. Please, please watch it! ◆ Mitsuru Fukikoshi (Shigeo Taguchi role) The shop that appears in the drama, "Tano Mi," run by the character I play, Uncle Taguchi, is a fictional shop remodeled from a closed soba restaurant in the shopping district of Oji for the drama, but the building actually exists. The kitchen is usable, and there is a toilet. I thought it would be nice if someone actually ran it after the drama ended because it is so comfortable. If it were nearby, I would think, "I want to go there, having lunch with set meals and having drinks with nice snacks at night." That’s how I acted. • Kang Hae-won from IZ*ONE & Akaso Eiji confirmed to co-star in TV Tokyo's new drama "Kimbap and Onigiri" starting January 2026 • Moon Ji-hoo, the Japanese official fan club opens today! Limited benefits and original content available. ■ Work Overview Drama Premiere 23 "Kimbap and Onigiri - The two in love are similar yet different -" Broadcast date: Starts January 12, 2026 (every Monday from 11:06 PM to 11:55 PM) Broadcasting stations: TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TV Setouchi, TV Hokkaido, TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting Distribution: Each episode will be exclusively available on Netflix worldwide at the same timing as the broadcast! Missed episodes will be available on ad-supported free distribution services like "TVer"! Real-time distribution is on TVer. 【Starring】 Akaso Eiji 【Cast】 Kang Hae-won, Moon Ji-hoo, Mai Fukagawa, Rin Kataoka, Shodai Fukuyama, Mitsuru Fukikoshi 【Series Composition】 Yuki Sode, Noryu Yamada 【Script】 Na-won Lee, Noryu Yamada, Chitose Yokoo, Miyuki Hatanaka 【Directors】 Hirokawa Hayashida, Miyuki Hatanaka, Ryota Koyama 【Producers】 Kan Nakajima (TV Tokyo), Shiwa Kojima (TV Tokyo), Koki Gokaku (BABEL LABEL), Tatsuya Mukai (Lineback) 【Production】 TV Tokyo, BABEL LABEL 【Production Copyright】 "Kimbap and Onigiri" Production Committee ■ Related Links "Kimbap and Onigiri" Official Site "Kimbap and Onigiri" Official X
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