Within a single generation, South Korea’s film and television industry moved from operating under censorship to winning Academy Awards and breaking streaming records — a transformation CNN is examining in a new Original Series, “K-Everything,” hosted and executive produced by Tony Award-nominated actor, director, producer, and social advocate Daniel Dae Kim.
The four-part series, which premiered May 9 on CNN International and HBO Max, covers four pillars of Korean culture — music, film, food, and beauty. Hyundai Motor Company is the exclusive sponsor.
Kim speaks with some of South Korea’s most celebrated creators to explore why the themes driving Korean storytelling have found such broad international appeal.
The film episode features Kim exploring the rise of Korean cinema alongside film critic Darcy Paquet, an American who has lived in Korea for nearly three decades and translated English subtitles for more than a hundred Korean films, including Parasite, the first non-English language film to win best picture at the Academy Awards, in 2020.
Kim sits down with actor Lee Byung-hun in Seoul to discuss his career, which has spanned thirty years and multiple genres across Korean and Hollywood cinema and drama, including the role of the Front Man in Squid Game. Lee appears at the Busan International Film Festival in support of his latest film, No Other Choice, directed by Park Chan Wook.
Kim also visits Technical Art Studio CELL, founded by Hwang Hyo-kyun, and meets director Yeon Sang-ho — whose credits include the zombie film Train to Busan — to discuss why dark motifs feature prominently in Korean filmmaking and why they resonate with global audiences.
Screenwriter Kim Eun-sook meets Kim in Seoul’s Ikseon-dong hanok village to discuss the craft of K-drama and the universal appeal of love stories. Her work includes character-driven dramas exploring emotional themes.
The episode also features a visit to a 4DX cinema and a conversation with Miky Lee, Vice Chairwoman of CJ Group, who helped build cinema infrastructure and nurture Korean film talent.
Series Highlights
Music:
A look into the global success of K-pop, featuring artists Psy, Taeyang, Jeon Somi, Allday Project, and Meovv, and the fan culture powering the industry.
Film:
An exploration of Korea’s cinematic transformation, with voices such as actor Lee Byung Hun, director Yeon Sang ho, screenwriter Kim Eun Sook, and entertainment industry pioneer Miky Lee.
Food:
A journey through Korean cuisine’s global rise, from street food to Michelin-starred dining, featuring legendary chefs and restaurateurs Corey Lee, Mingoo Kang, and Cho Hee Sook.
Beauty:
An examination of K beauty’s cultural roots and global influence, joined by top model Irene Kim and beauty influencer Leo J.
You can learn more here: edition.cnn.com/world/k-everything
