INI's Kimura Masaya has landed a supporting role in the upcoming drama "Stove League," where he'll play the younger brother of KAT-TUN's Kamenashi Kazuya.

The baseball-themed drama focuses on the rebuilding of a struggling professional team, with Kamenashi taking the lead role. The series will premiere on March 28 on both Lemino and WOWOW platforms, with all episodes available for streaming and broadcast.

For international fans, INI is an 11-member boy group formed through the survival show "Produce 101 Japan Season 2" in 2021. Kimura Masaya, one of the group's vocalists, has been expanding his activities beyond music into acting. This drama role represents a significant opportunity for the 22-year-old performer to work alongside established actor Kamenashi, who has extensive experience in both music and television.

"Stove League" is adapted from a popular Korean drama of the same name, which dealt with the behind-the-scenes management and rebuilding of a last-place baseball team. The Japanese version promises to bring its own take on the sports management genre, which has proven popular with audiences.

The casting announcement adds to the growing trend of K-Pop and J-Pop idols transitioning into acting roles, giving fans a chance to see their favorite performers in different contexts. For INI fans, this marks another step in the group's expanding presence in Japanese entertainment beyond their musical activities.