Actress Kang Hye-won Cast in Japanese Drama 'Falling in Love at First Bite,' Set to Collaborate with Eiji Akaso

Actress Kang Hye-won is embarking on her global acting journey with a role in the Japanese drama ‘Falling in Love at First Bite.’

‘Falling in Love at First Bite’ tells the heartwarming romantic story of two individuals drawn to each other despite navigating the confusion arising from cultural and value differences between Japan and Korea.

Kang Hye-won will portray Park Rin, a graduate student studying abroad in Japan. Her character is expected to embody the struggles of pursuing dreams amidst the hardships of reality, showcasing a nuanced performance.

Park Rin is an aspiring animation student whose daily life is a constant negotiation between her current reality and future aspirations. Expectations are high that Kang Hye-won’s inherent charm and unique aura will bring this multifaceted character to life in diverse ways.

In this project, Kang Hye-won will share the screen with Eiji Akaso, a prominent Japanese actor who has captivated global audiences in various genres, including films like ‘A Certain Kind of Place in Kinki Region’ and ‘366 Days.’

Akaso plays a character who, once a promising marathon runner, falls into lethargy after a significant setback. His life begins to take a serious turn as he falls in love with Park Rin, prompting him to re-evaluate his own life. Attention is keenly focused on the special chemistry Kang Hye-won and Eiji Akaso will create together.

The production team for ‘Falling in Love at First Bite’ praised Kang Hye-won, stating, “She has already made a significant presence in numerous Korean dramas.” They added, “Although this is her first appearance in a terrestrial Japanese drama, she is actively communicating with staff from both Korea and Japan and has been diligently handling many Japanese lines,” expressing high anticipation.

Kang Hye-won shared her excitement, saying, “All the main characters share the common goal of ‘moving towards their dreams,’ which I found very relatable.” She further encouraged viewers to anticipate the drama, noting, “There are many attractive characters and relatable points in the story.”

Previously, Kang Hye-won has captivated viewers with her convincing portrayals in dramas such as ‘Best Mistake,’ ‘Player 2: Master of Swindlers,’ ‘Boyhood,’ and ‘Seasons of Blossom,’ and she is poised to showcase a new transformation in this Japanese drama.

Meanwhile, ‘Falling in Love at First Bite,’ featuring Kang Hye-won, is set to premiere on January 12th, airing every Monday at 11:06 PM JST. The series will also be simultaneously available on the streaming platform Netflix.

Netizens are buzzing about Kang Hye-won's international debut, with comments like 'So excited for her first Japanese drama!' and 'Can't wait to see her chemistry with Eiji Akaso!' Many are expressing pride and anticipation for her global career.