Olive Young, Kimchi, Oppa Gangnam Style and K-pop Demon Hunters, (in which Kim lends a voice for their characters) these are just a few words to sum up the newest documentary, K‑Everything.

The CNN Original Series, hosted and executive-produced by actor Daniel Dae Kim, sounds self-explanatory, as it explores South Korea’s cultural exports to the world and the country’s emergence as a cultural powerhouse. Growing up in the States to parents born in South Korea, Kim leads a guided exploration of Korea’s cultural rise across four compelling episodes as he traces the roots of Korean culture. The four areas covered are music, film, food, and beauty.

Kim meets with some of the biggest stars in Korean pop, including Psy who brought the world “Gangnam Style”.

This show covers the strict censorship of Korean cinema in the past to Oscar triumphs, and the record-shattering streaming platforms such as Netflix’s success for K-dramas. 

Kim discovers the delicious cuisine of Korea, from street food to three Michelin-starred restaurants. 

Kim unpacks the innovation behind K-beauty, and how South Korea became the cosmetics capital of the world. 

If you love unwinding with a great story, I recommend not skipping Episode 2. It is a must-watch for film enthusiasts. This episode dives into the massive joint efforts from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the Korean Film Council (KOFIC), alongside CJ Group, the local conglomerate that serves as the ultimate backbone for Korean filmmaking. For anyone captivated by the global phenomenon of Parasite, this is one episode you absolutely cannot miss.

Hearing about the Busan International Film Festival brought back some great memories. It is amazing how it connects Korean cinema to the world, and I would love nothing more than to attend the screenings in October 2026!

In Singapore, you can catch K‑Everything with Daniel Dae Kim on HBO Max!