Korean American actor Daniel Dae Kim is taking viewers on a cross-country journey back to his roots. CNN has greenlit K-Everything, a new four-part travel series that Kim will both produce and star in, spotlighting Korea’s cultural evolution and global influence.
Announced on Tuesday, the series marks a collaboration between CNN Originals and its Global Production teams. According to CNN, K-Everything follows Kim as he traces how Korea transformed into the cultural force the world knows today.
“I’ve been lucky enough to watch Korea over the years take center stage as a cultural and economic powerhouse,” Kim said in a statement. “It’s a genuine joy teaming up with CNN to explore the many qualities that make the country and its culture so special.”
The show sends Kim from Busan up to Seoul, weaving through the roots of Korean culture—music, food, television, film—and featuring appearances from influential figures shaping the Korean cultural renaissance.
Read more: Daniel Dae Kim’s ‘Butterfly’ Canceled By Prime Video After One Season
Kim is no stranger to breaking ground in Hollywood. After rising to fame through ABC’s Lost (2004–2010) and CBS’s Hawaii Five-0 (2010–2020), he has become one of the most prominent Korean American actors in the industry.
Recent credits include voice work in Netflix’s animated KPop Demon Hunters and a Tony-nominated turn in the Broadway revival of David Henry Hwang’s Yellow Face.
Beyond acting, Kim is an active producer through his banner 3AD Productions, the company behind The Good Doctor (2017–2024) and Butterfly, the latter starring Kim and Korean actor Kim Tae-hee.
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“[Kim] brings an exceptional blend of curiosity and thoughtfulness to everything he does, making him the ideal guide for our audiences, who are eager to explore how Korean culture has become a global cultural phenomenon,” said Amy Entelis, executive vice president of talent at CNN Originals and Creative Development for CNN Worldwide.
“K-Everything celebrates the remarkable global influence of Korean culture through a lens that is both personal and expansive,” added Ellana Lee, group senior vice president and global head of productions for CNN International.
“[Kim’s] curiosity, integrity and understanding of Korean culture make him the perfect storyteller to guide audiences on this journey. This series underscores CNN’s commitment to delivering compelling, globally resonant storytelling to audiences around the world.”
The series is sponsored by Hyundai Motor and marks the first collaboration between CNN Originals and Global Production—signaling a growing appetite for Korean narratives told on an international stage.
