Seoul is at the global epicenter of the K-pop industry, where those who rise can easily become household names around the world. Daniel Dae Kim traveled to Korea to speak with the country’s biggest artists to find out how the industry reached its current height.
In the premiere episode of the CNN Original Series “K-Everything,” which debuted yesterday, host and executive producer Daniel Dae Kim examines what is behind the unprecedented rise of K-pop on the international stage. The Korean pop industry has produced some of the most successful music acts ever. Behind the catchy tunes and slick choreography, there is a fine-tuned formula for creating hits and harnessing the power of fans. Kim met some of the biggest artists in the industry and studied the superfan phenomenon.
Kim sat down with PSY, one of the most famous entertainers in Korean history, to discuss his impact on the K-pop scene and his evolving strategy for success. In the recording studio, he met Taeyang, a member of the legendary Korean boy band BigBang and a chart-topping solo artist who is working on his latest solo album. They talked about the 20-year reunion of BigBang and what it takes to have lasting success in the industry.
Over lunch at a café run by her father, Kim also spoke with pop superstar Jeon So-mi, who reflected on her career as an idol and her journey to gaining greater creative freedom. Kim also joined singer-songwriter eSNa for a walk in Namsan Park to discuss her experiences working in the industry.
Carrying on this musical legacy, new acts are constantly breaking through — including AllDay Project, a uniquely co-ed band which debuted in June last year. Kim caught up with them on the day of the release of their first EP and followed their progress across multiple K-pop-focused awards events across Asia. He also spent time with MEOVV, a five-part girl group and part of The Black Label, an agency known for cultivating creative freedom with its roster of talent.
For a different perspective, Kim connected with some of the producers behind the soundtrack of the global phenomenon “KPop Demon Hunters” — where he voiced the role of Healer Han — who shared their thoughts on the success of the movie and showed how they put together “Golden.”
He also spoke with Kim Da-vid, a YouTuber turned adjunct professor, to learn more about the modern history that paved the way for today’s music scene and heard from K-pop fans about why they spend a small fortune on tickets, merchandise, travel, and more.
“K-Everything” continues the legacy of host-led storytelling from CNN Original Series that examines global culture and the human experience, joining an award-winning library of premium programming streaming on the CNN app. Additionally, a dedicated digital hub featuring a rich suite of content celebrating Korean creativity and cultural impact can be found at https://edition.cnn.com/world/k-everything.
The CNN Original Series is sponsored by one of the largest companies in South Korea, Hyundai Motor Company, a global brand deeply rooted in Korean heritage whose growth has mirrored the country’s own journey of innovation and progress.
“K-Everything” premiered Saturday, May 9, at 8 p.m. (Hong Kong time) and replays today, Sunday, May 10, at 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. HKT, and Monday, May 11, at 3 a.m. HKT on CNN International. The four-episode series will stream live for CNN International pay TV subscribers via CNN.com, CNN connected TV, and mobile apps weekly. It is available on demand for CNN streaming subscribers in the U.S. via CNN.com and CNN connected TV and mobile apps. The series will also be available to stream on HBO Max, where available.
Kim is represented by UTA, Linden Entertainment, Narrative PR, and Gang Tyre. (PR Newswire)