kiDnap GAME (2026) Japanese-Korean Drama: Cast, Story, Episodes, Release Date, Trailer & Where to Watch
 |
| kiDnap GAME 2026 Japanese Korean drama official poster |
kiDnap GAME (2026) is a Japanese-led international thriller drama starring Kentaro Sakaguchi and Lee Joon-gi.
The story begins with simultaneous kidnappings taking place across seven Asian cities — Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok, Naha and Manila. The families of the victims then receive a mysterious message informing them that they have been entered into a deadly game.
Each participant is given a different mission. To save the person they love, they must complete their assigned mission before the other participants.
With seven people from different backgrounds and countries pulled into the same survival game, the drama raises a series of questions: Who is behind the kidnappings? Why were these particular people chosen? And what is the real purpose of the game?
The series premiered in Japan on October 6, 2026, and has a planned 11-episode first season. Fuji TV describes it as a large-scale international production created with partners from Hong Kong and South Korea.
kiDnap GAME (2026) Drama Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Drama Title | kiDnap GAME |
| Year | 2026 |
| Genre | Thriller, Survival |
| Episodes | 11 |
| Premiere Date | October 6, 2026 |
| Director | Yusuke Kato |
| Screenwriter | Not confirmed in the sources checked |
| Network | Fuji TV, Channel A |
| Streaming Platform | Viu |
| Main Cast | Kentaro Sakaguchi, Lee Joon-gi |
| Production Countries | Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong |
| Original Language | Japanese |
| Format | International drama series |
Current listings identify the series as an 11-episode production directed by Yusuke Kato, while Fuji TV confirms the October 6 premiere and its international production background.
What Is kiDnap GAME About?
The story starts with an unprecedented series of kidnappings occurring simultaneously in seven Asian cities:
- Tokyo
- Seoul
- Taipei
- Singapore
- Bangkok
- Naha
- Manila
As news of the kidnappings spreads, the families of the victims receive a mysterious message.
They are told that they have been entered into the “kiDnap GAME” and are challenged to decide how far they are willing to go to save their loved ones.
The participants are each given a different mission. Their objective is to complete their assigned mission before the others in order to rescue the person who has been taken from them.
The seven participants come from different nationalities, backgrounds and circumstances, bringing them together in a dangerous survival competition.
The mystery extends beyond the missions themselves. The participants must also discover why they were selected, who is controlling the game and what the mastermind ultimately wants.
The Seven-City Kidnapping Mystery
One of the defining elements of kiDnap GAME is its international setting.
The kidnapping incidents occur simultaneously across seven Asian cities:
Tokyo → Seoul → Taipei → Singapore → Bangkok → Naha → Manila
Fuji TV's official synopsis specifically identifies these seven locations.
The series was also filmed across multiple Asian locations. Fuji TV says the production involved Japan and overseas locations and was developed with partners from Hong Kong and South Korea.
This gives kiDnap GAME a multinational setting rather than restricting the story to a single country.
Kentaro Sakaguchi as Toshiro Niide
Kentaro Sakaguchi plays Toshiro Niide, a detective from Japan and one of the seven participants in the game.
Niide is described as a straightforward man with a strong sense of justice. He is willing to take risks when pursuing criminals and sometimes acts recklessly in his determination to make arrests.
His personal life changes when his wife, Saori, is kidnapped.
After receiving the mysterious message announcing that he has been entered into the kiDnap GAME, Niide must participate in the deadly competition if he wants to rescue her.
Fuji TV's official material identifies Sakaguchi as the lead actor and Niide as a detective whose wife becomes one of the kidnapping victims.
Lee Joon-gi as Han Ki-joo
Lee Joon-gi plays Han Ki-joo, another participant in the survival game.
Ki-joo is a highly skilled surgeon from South Korea. Fuji TV describes him as an excellent doctor who has stepped away from the operating room.
His life takes a devastating turn when his daughter is kidnapped.
Like Niide, Ki-joo receives a message informing him that he has become a participant in the kiDnap GAME.
His challenge is particularly difficult because the game forces each participant to complete a mission in order to save the person they love.
Kentaro Sakaguchi and Lee Joon-gi in kiDnap GAME
The pairing of Kentaro Sakaguchi and Lee Joon-gi is one of the central attractions of the series.
Their characters come from different countries and have completely different professional backgrounds.
Toshiro Niide is a Japanese detective.
Han Ki-joo is a Korean surgeon.
Both, however, are placed in the same impossible situation after someone they love is kidnapped.
Fuji TV's promotional material shows the two characters confronting the mystery behind the game, while also leaving open an important question: will they become allies or enemies?
kiDnap GAME Cast
The drama features actors from several Asian entertainment industries.
Main Cast
Kentaro Sakaguchi as Toshiro Niide
A Japanese detective and one of the seven participants whose wife is kidnapped.
Lee Joon-gi as Han Ki-joo
A Korean surgeon whose daughter is kidnapped, forcing him into the survival game.
Other Cast Members
Fuji TV's official cast announcements also list:
- Alice Ko
- Stanley Yau
- Carrie Wong
- Joel Torre
- Praew Narupornkamol Chaisang
- Shinnosuke Mitsushima
- Yuki Sakurai
- Sae Okazaki
- Show Kasamatsu
- Machiko Ono
- Lee Seo-hwan
- Kim Jae-kyung
- Choi So-yul
The series therefore brings together performers from Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand.
Other Confirmed Characters
Some of the other principal characters have also been identified in current cast listings.
- Alice Ko as Christina
- Carrie Wong as Janice
- Joel Torre as Miguel
- Narupornkamol Chaisang as Ayun
- Show Kasamatsu as Haruki Urushibara
- Shinnosuke Mitsushima as Higa Kuranosuke
- Stanley Yau as Andy
- Yuki Sakurai as Niide Saori
- Sae Okazaki as Akina Isobe
These characters form part of the wider ensemble surrounding the seven-city kidnapping game.
kiDnap GAME Episode Count
The first season of kiDnap GAME has 11 episodes.
Current episode listings show the first episode premiering on October 6, 2026, followed by weekly episodes. The currently listed schedule runs through Episode 11 on December 15, 2026.
Episode Schedule
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
| Episode 1 | October 6, 2026 |
| Episode 2 | October 13, 2026 |
| Episode 3 | October 20, 2026 |
| Episode 4 | October 27, 2026 |
| Episode 5 | November 3, 2026 |
| Episode 6 | November 10, 2026 |
| Episode 7 | November 17, 2026 |
| Episode 8 | November 24, 2026 |
| Episode 9 | December 1, 2026 |
| Episode 10 | December 8, 2026 |
| Episode 11 | December 15, 2026 |
The listed schedule is subject to change by the broadcaster or streaming services.
kiDnap GAME Release Date
kiDnap GAME premiered on October 6, 2026.
Fuji TV broadcasts the series in the Tuesday 9 p.m. time slot in Japan. The official Fuji TV website confirms the October 6 start date and weekly Tuesday broadcast schedule.
Release Information
- Premiere: October 6, 2026
- Episodes: 11
- Japanese Broadcaster: Fuji TV
- Network Listing: Fuji TV, Channel A
- Streaming: Viu
- Genre: Thriller / Survival
- Director: Yusuke Kato
Current streaming listings also identify Viu as a platform carrying the series in available markets.
Where to Watch kiDnap GAME?
Viu
kiDnap GAME is available through Viu in supported markets.
Current streaming information lists the series on Viu, including availability in some Asian markets. Availability and episode access can vary depending on location.
Fuji TV
In Japan, the drama airs on Fuji TV every Tuesday at 9 p.m. The official broadcaster confirms the series' October 6, 2026 premiere.
Is kiDnap GAME a Korean-Japanese Drama?
kiDnap GAME can be described as a Japanese-led international or pan-Asian drama rather than simply a conventional Japanese-Korean co-production.
Fuji TV identifies the project as a collaboration involving Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea, with filming taking place in Japan and multiple overseas locations.
The main leads also come from Japan and South Korea, with Kentaro Sakaguchi representing Japan and Lee Joon-gi representing South Korea.
Who Is the Director of kiDnap GAME?
Yusuke Kato is the director of kiDnap GAME.
Fuji TV also highlighted Kato at the October 2026 world premiere, where he discussed the scale of the production and filming across seven cities.
Is the Screenwriter Confirmed?
A screenwriter is not listed in the official Fuji TV material reviewed for this article.
Therefore, rather than adding an unverified name, the writing credit is left as “Not confirmed” in this article.
What Makes kiDnap GAME Different?
The drama's central concept combines several elements:
A Large-Scale Kidnapping
The story begins with simultaneous kidnappings in seven Asian cities.
A Survival Game
The victims' loved ones are forced to participate in a dangerous competition.
Individual Missions
Each participant receives a different instruction that must be completed.
International Characters
The participants come from different countries, backgrounds and circumstances.
A Central Mystery
The characters must determine who created the game and why they were selected.
Personal Stakes
The participants are not competing for an abstract prize. Each one is trying to save someone they love.
These elements form the central premise of the thriller.
Official Poster
Image Credit: Fuji TV, Channel A
Official Trailer
Fuji TV has released official promotional videos and a main trailer for the drama through its official channels.
Final Thoughts
kiDnap GAME (2026) is an international survival thriller built around a simple but dangerous question: how far would you go to save someone you love?
When kidnappings occur simultaneously in seven Asian cities, seven people discover that their loved ones have been taken. Each is given a different mission, and they must compete against the others to complete their objective.
At the center are Kentaro Sakaguchi as Japanese detective Toshiro Niide and Lee Joon-gi as Korean surgeon Han Ki-joo.
With an 11-episode season, an international ensemble and a story spanning Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok, Naha and Manila, the series combines a cross-border setting with a survival-game mystery.
For viewers looking for a 2026 Asian thriller, Japanese drama, Korean-Japanese collaboration, survival drama or Lee Joon-gi and Kentaro Sakaguchi series, kiDnap GAME offers a distinctive premise built around kidnapping, competition and family.
Frequently Asked Questions About kiDnap GAME
What is kiDnap GAME about?
kiDnap GAME is a thriller about simultaneous kidnappings in seven Asian cities. The loved ones of the victims are forced into a survival game where each participant receives a different mission and must complete it before the others to save their loved one.
Who stars in kiDnap GAME?
The two leading stars are Kentaro Sakaguchi as Toshiro Niide and Lee Joon-gi as Han Ki-joo.
How many episodes does kiDnap GAME have?
The first season has 11 episodes.
When did kiDnap GAME premiere?
The drama premiered on October 6, 2026, on Fuji TV in Japan.
Where can I watch kiDnap GAME?
The series is available through Viu in supported markets and airs on Fuji TV in Japan.
Who plays Toshiro Niide?
Kentaro Sakaguchi plays Toshiro Niide, a Japanese detective whose wife is kidnapped.
Who plays Han Ki-joo?
Lee Joon-gi plays Han Ki-joo, a Korean surgeon whose daughter is kidnapped.
Which cities are featured in kiDnap GAME?
The official story identifies Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok, Naha and Manila as the seven cities involved in the simultaneous kidnappings.
Is Naga one of the cities in kiDnap GAME?
No. The official Fuji TV material identifies Naha, Okinawa, as one of the seven cities. If you have seen “Naga” listed elsewhere, it appears to be an incorrect listing.
Copyright & Content Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This article is independently written for informational and entertainment purposes. The descriptions and information have been rewritten in original wording and are not intended to reproduce copyrighted promotional text.
All rights relating to kiDnap GAME, including the drama title, characters, character names, trademarks, logos, promotional photographs, official poster, trailer, video footage and other promotional materials, belong to their respective copyright and trademark owners, including Fuji Television, Channel A, the production companies, broadcasters, studios and other applicable rights holders.
Any official promotional images or videos referenced on this page are used for identification, news, commentary and informational purposes. This website does not claim ownership of those materials.
If you are the copyright owner or authorized representative of any image, video, text or other material appearing on this website and believe that your copyrighted material has been used improperly or without appropriate attribution, please contact the website owner through the site's Contact page or official email address. Please include the relevant URL, details of the copyrighted work and reasonable proof of ownership or authorization.
Upon receiving a legitimate copyright or attribution concern, the website owner will review the material and, where appropriate, correct the attribution, provide additional credit, replace the material or remove the affected content.
For copyright concerns, corrections, attribution requests or other content-related issues, please contact the website owner first so the matter can be reviewed and resolved promptly.