CNN Original Series K-Everything, presented and executive produced by Tony Award-nominated actor, director and social champion Daniel Dae Kim, premieres Saturday, May 9 at 8 PM ET on CNN International. The four-part documentary series comes at a time when Korean culture has never had a bigger worldwide presence and is sure to be one of the year’s most ambitious cultural investigations.
A Personal and Professional Journey
Kim was born in South Korea, but relocated to the United States as a 1-year-old and has returned often throughout the years. That personal past makes K-Everything more than just a trip documentary; it is a highly personal adventure, even involving his parents. Seoul had transformed so much, economically and culturally, that all the landmarks his parents had known in their teens were gone, and they literally depended on him to get around the city.
Kim himself praised the enterprise with excitement and love. The series, he added, is a look at how Korea, in three short generations, went from a war-torn nation to one of the most contemporary countries on Earth. “For people who have never been to Korea, the series is an introduction that will be unlike anything that’s taught in a classroom or textbook,” he continued.
What the Series Covers: Four Episodes, Four Pillars
Over the course of four engrossing episodes, Kim analyses the reasons driving Korea’s cultural development and how the country’s distinctive customs become a worldwide phenomenon.
- K-Pop: In the first episode, Kim visits Seoul, the world’s capital of the K-pop business, to meet some of Korea’s top musicians and find out what the superfan phenomenon is that is fuelling the industry. But behind the catchy melodies and choreography is a well-oiled formula for making hits and capturing the love of fans throughout the globe.
- K-Film & K-Drama: How South Korea’s film and TV business transformed from working under stringent control to winning Oscars and shattering streaming records in one generation. Kim speaks to some of the country’s most acclaimed innovators, including actor Lee Byung-hun, director Yeon Sang-ho, screenwriter Kim Eun-sook, and entertainment business pioneer Miky Lee, on why Korean storytelling appeals to viewers globally.
- K-Food: Korean BBQ has placed K-food on the map, but it’s just one piece of a rich, diversified cuisine. In talks with great chefs like Corey Lee, Mingoo Kang, and Cho Hee-sook, Kim explores a tale of nostalgia, pride, invention, and resolve – not only about what to eat, but why it matters. In addition to the cooking class, Kim visits a lively kimchi festival in PyeongChang.
- K-Beauty: South Korea is sometimes called the capital of the world when it comes to cosmetics, with legions of admirers wanting to mimic K-celebrity looks. With top model Irene Kim and prominent beauty influencer LeoJ. In the last episode, Kim learns why the emphasis on appearance is so firmly rooted in Korean society, spurred by fast modernisation and political changes. Kim had microinjections of salmon DNA pumped into his face in a Seoul clinic in a memorable moment, seeking to decrease inflammation and enhance skin suppleness — all in the pursuit of experiencing K-beauty firsthand.
Fight Anti-Asian Hate Through Culture
But Kim has proposed a more serious aim for the project than just amusement. He said the show is also a way to assist non-Koreans in better understanding Korean culture and combat anti-Asian bigotry that intensified during the COVID-19 outbreak. “If people can start to understand each other through culture, it’s one step into a more connected global community,” he said.
Where and When to Watch CNN’s K-Everything Series
K-Everything is the first cooperation between CNN Originals and CNN’s APAC-based Global Productions teams. Sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company, a worldwide brand with strong roots in Korean tradition whose own rise has paralleled South Korea’s journey of innovation and success.
CNN streaming subscribers in the US may watch the series on demand at CNN.com and on the CNN-linked TV and mobile applications. Episodes run weekly on Saturdays at 8 PM ET on CNN International.
