Daniel Dae Kim wants to show you what’s really behind the Korean wave. His new CNN travel series, K-Everything, takes viewers across South Korea to dig into the music, food, beauty and film industries that have taken over global entertainment. The four-part show debuted on May 9, 2026, on CNN International and is available for streaming on HBO Max.
The K-Everything series follows the Lost and Hawaii Five-O star as he travels from Seoul to Busan, meeting the biggest names driving Korean culture. The show covers K-pop with Psy, K-film with Lee Byung-hun, K-food with Michelin-starred chefs and K-beauty with experts who reveal the secrets behind Korea’s famous skincare routines.
Kim Goes All In, Trying Salmon Sperm Facial For The Show
The 57-year-old actor did not just talk about Korean beauty trends. He tested them personally. In one scene, Kim lies down in a Seoul doctor’s office to receive microinjections of DNA extracted from salmon sperm directly into his face. The procedure aims to reduce inflammation and boost skin elasticity.
“I look like I got a little sunburn and a little redder than usual, but it’s not bad,” Kim told the camera crew after the treatment. “OK, I’m camera-ready.”
The moment shows how far Kim was willing to go to understand Korean culture from the inside. Rather than simply narrating from a studio, he participated in the same experiences everyday Koreans and beauty lovers seek out.
Hyundai Motor Sponsors The Four-Part Documentary Series
Hyundai Motor Company signed on as the exclusive sponsor for K-Everything. The automaker, which grew alongside South Korea’s economic rise, saw the series as a natural fit for its brand story.
“At the heart of every innovation is people and culture. As a company that grew alongside Korean culture, we are proud to support this project, which aligns with our vision of progress for humanity,” a Hyundai official said.
The partnership marks the first collaboration between CNN Originals and the network’s APAC-based Global Productions teams. Executive producers include Amy Entelis, Ellana Lee, Katie Hinman, Jon Jensen and Ryan Smith.
Psy Opens Up About ‘Gangnam Style’ Success And Pressure
The first episode focuses on K-pop and features Psy in a candid conversation with Kim. The singer, whose 2012 hit Gangnam Style became the first YouTube video to pass one billion views in just six months, talked about what the song meant for Korean artists worldwide.
Psy shared a powerful story about Tiger JK stopping his car on a highway shoulder, calling him in tears and saying, “Don’t you know what it means to Korean-Americans to hear a song with all Korean lyrics playing on American radio?” Kim responded, “Just thinking about it makes me emotional.”
But massive success brought its own struggles. When Kim asked how long Psy enjoyed his Gangnam Style fame, the singer gave an honest answer.
“As a singer, I’ve enjoyed it my whole life, but as a composer, it’s both a dream and a nightmare,” Psy said. “How can I create something better than this song?”
Psy also discussed his annual Hymok Show concerts, which account for more than 10% of all concert ticket sales in South Korea each year. He performs for about four hours each show.
“When others are happy, I’m happy too. My concerts are the peak of happiness,” Psy told Kim. “If I perform in front of 25,000 audiences, I see the faces of 25,000 people who are happy because of me right in front of me. At that moment, I feel like I could die without regrets.”
Each Episode Covers A Different Side Of Korean Culture
The four episodes break down Korean culture by category. Episode one covers K-pop. Episode two looks at Korean film and television. Episode three explores Korean food. Episode four examines K-beauty.
Episode two features actor Lee Byung-hun and director Yeon Sang-ho, along with Mickey Lee, vice chairperson of CJ Group. They discuss how Korean storytelling broke free from past limits to find both critical praise and commercial success around the world.
The food episode includes Michelin-starred chefs Corey Lee and Kang Min-goo. They explain how Korean cuisine moved from street food stalls to high-end restaurants on the international stage.
The beauty episode looks at how changing social views in Korea have shaped the industry, which now influences beauty standards worldwide.
Kim Explains Why Korea Rose So Quickly On World Stage
Kim, who was born in Busan and moved to the United States at age one, brings a personal perspective to the series. He left Korea as an infant but has spent recent years returning to his birth country. In 2024, he shot the Prime Video spy thriller Butterfly across more than 20 South Korean cities and was named an honorary citizen by the city of Seoul.
“It’s an examination of how Korea has risen in the course of three short generations from a war-torn third-world country to one of the most modern places in the world,” Kim said about the show. “We’ll take a look at how that’s happened through food, through cinema, through beauty products and through music.”
The actor serves as both host and executive producer through his company 3AD. His producing credits include The Good Doctor, which ran for seven seasons on ABC. He also received a Tony Award nomination for Best Lead Actor in a Play for Yellow Face on Broadway in 2025, becoming the first Asian American Pacific Islander actor nominated in that category.
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Where To Watch K-Everything Around The World
K-Everything premiered on CNN International on May 9, 2026. Viewers in the United States can stream all episodes on HBO Max. South Korean audiences can watch the series on Coupang Play. The show is also available in other regions through CNN International broadcasts and local streaming platforms that carry CNN Originals content.
The series runs for four episodes, with each installment focusing on one aspect of Korean culture. CNN has not announced plans for a second season at this time.
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