How Netflix Japanese drama Gimbap and Onigiri bridges cultures with food and romance
Starring Eiji Akaso and Kang Hye-won, Netflix’s Gimbap and Onigiri explores romance and cultural connection through food
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-actress Kang Hye-won.
Set to premiere on January 12 on Japanese television station TV Tokyo, the series follows two young adults as they navigate uncertainty in their lives and experience romance despite their different cultures.
Rather than centring 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 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 centres on how he grows after that,” Akaso said at a press conference in Seoul.
“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.”