The heartwarming cross-cultural romance Gimbap and Onigiri is capturing viewers’ hearts on TV Tokyo and Netflix. Starring Eiji Akaso and former IZ*ONE member Kang Hye-won, this Japanese drama delivers a touching story about love, food, and connection across cultures. Here’s everything you need to know about when new episodes drop.
Gimbap and Onigiri Release Schedule
| Episode | Release Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | January 12, 2026 | Monday |
| Episode 2 | January 19, 2026 | Monday |
| Episode 3 | January 26, 2026 | Monday |
| Episode 4 | February 2, 2026 | Monday |
| Episode 5 | February 9, 2026 | Monday |
| Episode 6 | February 16, 2026 | Monday |
| Episode 7 | February 23, 2026 | Monday |
| Episode 8 | March 2, 2026 | Monday |
| Episode 9 | March 9, 2026 | Monday |
| Episode 10 | March 16, 2026 | Monday |
Time Slot: Drama Premiere 23 on TV Tokyo
Episode Length: Approximately 49 minutes
Streaming: Netflix (simultaneous release)
What Makes Gimbap and Onigiri Special?
This 10-episode series tells the story of Hase Taiga, a former track-and-field athlete now working at a modest Japanese restaurant, and Park Rin, a Korean graduate student studying animation in Japan. Their chance encounter over a simple onigiri meal becomes the catalyst for a beautiful cross-cultural romance.
The drama explores themes of identity, dreams, and emotional connection through the universal language of food. When Rin faces housing challenges and exhaustion, a meal prepared by Taiga provides comfort that transcends cultural barriers.
For more heartwarming K-drama romance stories, explore our dedicated entertainment section.
Cast and Production
Main Cast:
- Eiji Akaso as Hase Taiga (former athlete turned chef)
- Kang Hye-won (former IZ*ONE) as Park Rin (Korean animation student)
Supporting Cast:
- Moon Ji-hoo as Junho Kang (Rin’s considerate college senior)
- Mai Fukagawa as Masumi Miyauchi (Taiga’s former girlfriend)
- Seo Hye-won as Lee Yung-yeol (Rin’s supportive friend)
The series is produced by BABEL LABEL with screenplay by Nawonmada, Chisato Yokoo, and Miyuki Hatanaka.
Discover more about Japanese drama series and cross-cultural romance stories on our platform.
Where to Watch
Catch new episodes every Monday on TV Tokyo or stream them simultaneously on Netflix. The drama runs through mid-March 2026, giving viewers plenty of time to fall in love with Taiga and Rin’s journey.
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