Actor, director and producer Daniel Dae Kim premieres this Saturday the documentary series “K-Everything: The Global Rise of Korean Culture” on CNN International, with subsequent airing also on CNN and HBO Max. The production explores how Coreia of Sul transformed from a war-torn country in just three generations to one of the most modern and influential nations on the planet, analyzing this rise through four pillars: cinema, music, cosmetics and gastronomy.
Nascido in Coreia of Sul and emigrated to Estados Unidos when he was just a year old, Kim frequently returns to his country of origin and has built a deep relationship with the local culture. The series functions as a personal journey for the presenter, which includes his parents, who depend on him for guidance in a completely transformed Seul since his adolescence. “It was almost a foreign country for them,” says Kim about the contrast between the city their parents knew and the modern metropolis they find today.
Experiências immersive and cultural encounters
Durante the production, Kim participated in intense sensory experiences to deeply understand every aspect of Korean culture. In the episode dedicated to beauty, she underwent an unusual cosmetic procedure: facial microinjections of salmon sperm DNA in an office at Seul, a technique that reduces inflammation and improves skin elasticity. Após the procedure, the actor commented in a relaxed way: “It looks like I got a slight sunburn and I’m a little redder than normal, but it’s not bad at all. Pronto, I’m ready for the cameras.”
Além of this procedure, Kim participated in other practical activities related to the themes of the series:
- Explorou a vibrant kimchi festival in Pyeongchang to understand how Korean cuisine reshapes global haute cuisine
- Conversou with makeup artist and influencer LeoJ and model Irene Kim on the evolution of beauty standards
- Experimentou various serums and facial masks during production
- Visitou a factory where snail slime is collected for cosmetics production
“For those who have never been to Coreia, this is a great introduction, in a way that you can’t learn in the classroom or in textbooks”, says Kim about the general proposal of the series.
Encontros with Korean celebrities
The series brings together iconic personalities from the Korean industry in different episodes. Kim interviews actor Lee Byung-hun, singer Psy (famous for “Gangnam Style”), Taeyang from the group BigBang and the composers responsible for “Golden”, the track that won Oscar. Esses meetings seek to show how individual figures contributed to the global expansion of South Korean culture, connecting personal stories with cultural phenomena of international reach.
Durante the production, Kim visited different cities and social classes of Coreia. “I met people from different backgrounds, from different cities, from different economic classes, and this expanded my understanding of culture”, says the presenter about the filming process.
Inspiração on Travel Documentary Legacy
Kim stands in an established television tradition of travel documentary presenters, which includes names such as Tony Shalhoub, Rainn Wilson, Eugene Levy, Stanley Tucci, Orlando Bloom, Zac Efron, José Andrés, Chris Hemsworth, Will Smith, Eva Longoria and Ewan McGregor. The actor cites late chef Anthony Bourdain as a key influence on his approach.
“I wouldn’t say this show is as irreverent as Anthony Bourdain’s, but I loved it because I felt like he was showing me his view of each country and was a trustworthy guide,” explains Kim. “If I can be that for some people, then that’s the spirit I’d like to bring to this program.”
Apesar having never hosted a television show before, Kim describes the experience as surprisingly comfortable. “I have the opportunity to introduce the world to a culture that I love, that I know, and that has shaped who I am as an artist and as a human being. Então, for me, was strangely comfortable and I didn’t feel at any point that I was stepping out of my comfort zone.”
Perspectiva institutional and social purpose
Amy Entelis, Executive Vice President of Talent, CNN Originals and Creative Development, recognizes the uniqueness that Kim brings to the project. “From the first moment I met him, it was clear that he was incredibly well prepared to handle this — deeply passionate about the subject and extremely knowledgeable. Ele was also very focused on ensuring that the way we view Korean culture is understood by a broad global audience,” assesses Entelis.
Kim hopes that the series serves as a tool for intercultural understanding and combating prejudice. Durante During the COVID-19 pandemic, cases of anti-Asian racism have increased significantly, and the host sees the series as a mechanism to reduce these demonstrations. “If we can start to understand each other a little better through culture, then I think it’s a step towards uniting a global community. And I think the world, in general, could benefit from a little more understanding.”
The series premieres on Saturday on CNN International, with later availability on the CNN and HBO Max platforms.