As Korea and Korean culture become more prevalent and mainstream than ever in popular culture, more and more people are investing in learning about the wonders South Korea has to offer. Fortunately, Korean-American actor, director, producer, and social advocate Daniel Dae Kim has partnered with CNN to produce K-Everything, an original series that not only showcases K-culture but also celebrates it as a worldwide phenomenon.

Set to premiere on May 9 at 8 PM EST, K-Everything will consist of four distinct and immersive episodes, each exploring a different corner of Korean culture and hosted by Daniel Dae Kim himself. “It’s both a personal and professional thrill to be able to showcase Korea through our series,” Kim said in a press release. “There’s never been more interest in its people and culture, so it feels like the perfect time to explore the dynamics of its success. Whether you’re already a K-expert or a newbie, we hope you’ll be able to gain a unique and fresh perspective on a place that means so much to me.”

The rise of South Korea as a global power has been rapid and far-reaching – in the past decade alone, K-pop has moved from a niche overseas interest to a genuine global force. Through groups like BTS, BLACKPINK, and TWICE, Korean music now holds its own against dominant genres like hip-hop and Latin pop. In the series’s first episode, Kim sits down with some of today’s biggest K-pop groups, including THEBLACKLABEL girl group, MEOVV, to unravel how Korean pop music became the machine it is today.

The series also covers K-dramas, food, and skincare – each unpacked across the four episodes alongside a broader examination of how Korean culture has reshaped its image globally. For Kim, it's also a personal journey – the Tony Award-nominated actor has long been vocal about his Korean heritage, from its history and landscape to the experience of immigrating to the United States with his parents.

This is one of many ways Kim has sought to bring Korean culture to the forefront – in 2025, he starred in the Amazon Prime Video crime-thriller series, Butterfly, which was filmed on location in South Korea and portrayed the culture through the lens of authenticity and incredible endearment.

“K-Everything is exactly the globally minded and culturally curious storytelling that CNN Original Series is known for,” said Amy Entelis, Executive Vice President for Talent & Content Development, CNN Worldwide. “Daniel takes viewers on a dynamic, character-driven journey to explore how Korea’s creative industries have dramatically reshaped music, film, food, and beauty around the world.”

K-Everything premieres May 9 at 8pm EST on CNN.