CNN’s original series ‘K-Everything’ is turning its focus towards South Korea’s booming beauty industry, with actor Daniel Dae Kim exploring how K-beauty evolved from a local skincare culture into a global phenomenon influencing millions across the world.

According to a CNN Press Release, the upcoming episode of the series dives into the cultural, historical, and social roots behind South Korea’s obsession with beauty and appearance. The episode examines how rapid modernisation, changing societal expectations, and the country’s entertainment industry helped transform K-beauty into a multi-billion-dollar global business.

Hosted by Daniel Dae Kim, the episode traces the journey of Korean beauty traditions from the Joseon dynasty, where women reportedly used rice water to brighten their skin, to the present-day cosmetics boom that has made South Korea one of the world’s leading beauty exporters. The episode also highlights how South Korea overtook France in 2024 to become the largest exporter of cosmetics to the United States.

As part of the exploration, Kim visits Olive Young, one of South Korea’s biggest beauty retail chains, to understand the latest trends shaping the industry and why Korean skincare products continue attracting global consumers.

The episode also looks into the innovation driving the sector. Kim visits a biopharmaceutical company producing one of K-beauty’s most talked-about ingredients — snail slime, commonly referred to as mucin — which is widely promoted for hydration and collagen production benefits in skincare products.

Beyond products and trends, the documentary examines the pressure surrounding appearance in South Korean society, especially within entertainment and professional spaces. Kim speaks with model, entrepreneur, and television personality Irene Kim about beauty standards and the expectations placed on public figures in the country.

The episode also highlights how K-beauty has increasingly expanded beyond women consumers, with South Korean men embracing skincare, cosmetics, and grooming culture. Daniel Dae Kim visits Seoul’s oldest barbershop to explore how attitudes towards male grooming have evolved over the decades and also receives a makeover from beauty influencer LeoJ, one of Korea’s leading male makeup creators.

Another major focus of the episode is South Korea’s cosmetic surgery culture, particularly in Seoul’s upscale Gangnam district, where aesthetic procedures have become deeply normalised. The series examines how appearance is often linked to social mobility and professional success in a highly competitive society.

‘K-Everything’ continues CNN’s tradition of host-led cultural storytelling that explores societies, identities, and global trends through human experiences. The series is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company, which CNN describes as a brand closely connected to South Korea’s cultural and economic transformation.

The K-beauty episode of K-Everything premieres on May 30 at 8 PM HKT on CNN International and will also stream across CNN’s digital platforms and HBO Max in select regions.