CNN’s new travel show K-Everything, hosted by Daniel Dae Kim, is being positioned as a broad look at the global rise of Korean culture, from K-pop and film to food and beauty. In interviews tied to the show, Kim said it is meant for both newcomers and seasoned fans of K-culture, while also reflecting on identity, representation and the continuing momentum of Korea’s cultural wave.
“I think a show like K-Everything is important because to people who don’t know anything about Korean culture, they get their first introduction to all the things that make it special,” Kim said during an interview with the Korea JoongAng Daily last month, offering a sneak peek into the show and sharing his experience filming it.
“And even for those who do know Korean culture, I think there’s something in there that will be entertaining and maybe something that even … the K-experts will learn,” he said.
“There’s not a day that goes by that I’m not aware of who I am and what I look like,” Kim said when discussing his identity. “There are times where it’s an obstacle, but there are also many times where it’s a blessing, and that’s why I think it’s important to keep in mind both perspectives,” he said.
“K-Everything” follows Kim as he travels across Korea in search of answers to how the country has sparked a global pop culture movement that spans entertainment, beauty and food. Viewers will see him meet major names including singer PSY and visit locations across the country, while the show also features appearances from figures across the K-culture spectrum, including Squid Game actor Lee Byung-hun, Michelin three-star chef Kang Min-goo, K-pop acts such as Meovv and the producers behind ‘Golden,’ the hit song from KPop Demon Hunters.
Kim said one of the most memorable parts of filming was seeing how ‘Golden’ came together in the studio. “I’ve known the music industry, and I’ve known musicians and music executives, but I’ve never actually been in a recording studio the way I was for this show,” he said. “The producers walked me through the process of writing Golden and how they chose the beat, and you know how they patch things together, they worked with the singer EJAE, and so it was just fun to watch how it got created.”
The show also brought a personal moment for Kim, whose parents appeared on camera while visiting Korea during the shoot. The three of them sat down over jjajangmyeon, or black bean noodles, and discussed their immigrant experience as well as how careers have changed across generations. Kim also said he was struck by the broader reach of KPop Demon Hunters in Seoul, where he heard ‘Golden’ playing in Myeongdong and saw posters for the film everywhere.
Kim described that reaction as something he had rarely seen before.
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“I don’t think I’ve ever seen something like this — a gyopo-based story from something Korean American transferring to Korea,” he said. “How wonderful that Koreans have accepted this story that was made in America about their culture and are as proud of it as Korean Americans are.”
Kim also said the show underlined the strength of Korea’s creative pipeline beyond a few marquee names. “It’s not just about the three directors we mentioned. There are generations of really, really good directors in Korea, not just on film but in TV,” Kim said. “This is the reason why I think that this wave will continue, because it won’t die out with just those three directors. There are many others ready to take the stage and already are.”
He also spoke about Lee Byung-hun, saying it was exciting to introduce the actor to a wider audience. “Everyone in Korea knows who he is and how good an actor he is, but it’s also nice to know that others are learning how great he is.”
