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'Gimbap and Onigiri' turns shared meal into cross-border romance
Actors Eiji Akaso, left, and Kang Hye-won pose at a press conference for "Gimbap and Onigiri" at a wedding hall in Seoul's Guro District, Wednesday. Yonhap
By Pyo Kyung-min
Food is the starting point for romance in "Gimbap and Onigiri," a new Japanese drama pairing Japanese actor Eiji Akaso and Korea's idol-turned-actor Kang Hye-won.
Set to premiere Jan. 12 on TV TOKYO, the upcoming series follows two young adults as they navigate uncertainty in their lives and experience romance despite their different cultures. Rather than centering on cultural clashes, the story unfolds through quiet encounters, creating a story of intimacy that is gradual and relatable.
Akaso stars as Hase Taiga, a former college track athlete who loses direction after a major setback. With his confidence shaken, Taiga drifts through daily life without a clear vision for the future, working part time at a small restaurant in Japan.
"Taiga meets Park Rin through his part-time job and the show centers on how he grows after that," Akaso said at a press conference in Seoul, Wednesday afternoon.
"When I first saw the title, I was curious about what kind of story it would be. The characters are as warm and approachable, as the title suggests. It is a story about people who live sincerely and love sincerely."
Scenes from TV TOKYO's upcoming drama "Gimbap and Onigiri" featuring actors Eiji Akaso and Kang Hye-won / Courtesy of TV TOKYO
Kang plays Park Rin, a Korean graduate student adjusting to life abroad. Living alone in a foreign environment, she reaches an emotional turning point after she eats a meal prepared by Taiga, a small encounter that brings great comfort to her.
"I tend to appreciate happiness that comes from small things," Kang said. "That was the feeling I had when I first read the script. It is a story where those modest joys and moments of warmth really come through."
The drama places emphasis not on cultural differences as a form of conflict, but on the process of learning another person's way of life. Its title, "Gimbap and Onigiri," reflects that approach, featuring distinct foods rooted in cultures that are different yet similar enough to feel familiar.
Despite filming across languages and cultures, both actors said their collaboration unfolded smoothly.
"It was the best," Akaso said, describing his behind-the-scenes chemistry with Kang.
"Personally, I did not find it difficult. If anything, Kang had a harder time because she was filming in Japan. During public events like this, I have interpreters, but during filming she had to work alone through a language barrier. I really respect how she handled that."
Kang admitted that initially she was worried, despite studying Japanese for two months before filming.
"I was concerned because my language skills were not perfect," she said. "Akaso made a real effort to look out for me, even though we spoke different languages. He helped me settle into the environment, and the staff also guided me carefully so I could understand. I felt supported throughout."
Kang Hye-won speaks during a press conference for the upcoming drama "Gimbap and Onigiri" at a wedding hall in Seoul's Guro District, Wednesday. Yonhap
She added that her previous experience promoting in Japan as a member of K-pop girl group IZ*ONE proved helpful.
"Because I had already worked in Japan, the environment did not feel completely unfamiliar," Kang said. "I also think that if I had not gone to Japan back then, I would not have been able to pick up the language to this level in such a short time."
The drama arrives as Korean-Japanese co-productions continue to gain visibility through global streaming platforms. Recent examples include Japan's "Eye Love You," released internationally via Netflix, and Coupang Play's "What Comes After Love."
Akaso credited streaming services with helping sustain such collaborations.
"Platforms like Netflix have become an important bridge," he said. "They allow people in different countries to watch each other's work. Collaborating beyond borders through storytelling is meaningful and I hope to continue participating in projects that connect with global production teams."
"Gimbap and Onigiri" will air every Monday on TV Tokyo starting Jan. 12, with simultaneous worldwide streaming available on Netflix.