HONG KONG, May 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- South Korea has become a global cosmetics hub, with legions of fans aspiring to look like their flawless K-celebrity idols. In this episode of K-Everything, Daniel Dae Kim digs beneath the surface to learn why the desire to focus on appearance is deeply ingrained in Korean society, driven by rapid modernization and political shifts.
From the Joseon era, Korea's last imperial dynasty, when women used rice water to brighten their skin, to today's multi-billion dollar market, the evolution of the K-beauty industry has been nothing short of remarkable. Kim takes a trip to cosmetics retail giant Olive Young to see the latest trends and learn how Korea overtook France to become the top exporter of cosmetics to the US in 2024.
With innovation the cornerstone of the K-beauty industry, Kim visits a biopharmaceutical company that produces one of K-beauty's most unusual ingredients – snail slime, also known as "mucin". It's a popular K-beauty trend said to improve hydration and stimulate collagen production.
But what does the idea of K-beauty mean for those in the spotlight in Korea? To answer that question, Kim meets with Irene Kim, top model, TV personality, entrepreneur, and influencer.
South Korean men are increasingly embracing K-beauty trends, experimenting with skincare, cosmetics and male grooming. Kim visits Seoul's oldest barbershop to learn how long hair for men was once illegal in Korea and also gets a makeover by makeup artist LeoJ, one of Korea's leading beauty influencers.
Finally, in a country where cosmetic procedures are mainstream and increasingly seen as a form of self-improvement rather than vanity, Kim explores why investing in appearance can be a necessity in a competitive job market after touring the clinic-lined streets of the upscale Gangnam district.
K-Everything continues the legacy of CNN Original Series' host-led storytelling that examines global culture and the human experience, joining an award-winning library of premium programming streaming on the CNN app.
The CNN Original Series is sponsored by one of South Korea's largest companies, 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 episode 4 (K-beauty) premieres Saturday, May 30 at 8pm HKT and replays on Sunday, May 31 at 8am and 11pm HKT and Monday, June 1 at 3am HKT on CNN International. The 4-episode series will stream live for CNN International pay TV subscribers via CNN.com, CNN connected TV and mobile apps weekly. It will be available on demand beginning Saturday, May 9 to CNN's streaming subscribers in the US 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 repped by UTA, Linden Entertainment, Narrative PR and Gang Tyre.
K-Everything (K-beauty) trailer: http://bit.ly/43j6Kiv
K-Everything (K-beauty) images: https://bit.ly/4upaydB
K-Everything microsite: http://edition.cnn.com/world/k-everything
Airtimes for K-Everything (K-beauty) Episode
Saturday, 30th May at 8pm HKT
Sunday, 31st May at 8am and 11pm HKT
Monday, 1st June at 3am HKT
- Ends -
About CNN Originals
The CNN Originals group develops, produces and acquires original, long-form unscripted programming for CNN Worldwide. Amy Entelis, executive vice president of talent, CNN Originals and creative development, oversees the award-winning CNN Originals portfolio that includes the following premium content brands: CNN Original Series, CNN Films, CNN Presents, and the newly formed CNN Studios, an internal production studio which creates long-form programming for CNN's global platforms. Since 2012, the team has overseen and executive produced more than 45 multi-part documentary series and 60 feature-length documentary films, earning more than 110 awards and 445 nominations for the cable network, including CNN Films' first Academy Award® for Navalny. Acclaimed titles include the Peabody Award winning and 13-time Emmy® Award-winning Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown; five time Emmy® nominee, Apollo 11, directed by Todd Douglas Miller; Emmy® nominated Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico; the Emmy® Award-nominated "Decades Series": The Sixties, The Seventies, The Eighties, The Nineties, The 2000s, and The 2010s, executive produced by Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman; The Last Movie Stars, directed by Ethan Hawke about the lives and careers of actors and humanitarians Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman; Grammy® Award nominee Little Richard: I Am Everything, directed by Lisa Cortés; The Many Lives of Martha Stewart; This is Life with Lisa Ling; Primetime Emmy® and duPont-Columbia Award-winning, RBG, directed by Betsy West and Julie Cohen; See It Loud: The History of Black Television, executive produced by LeBron James and Maverick Carter; Space Shuttle Columbia: The Final Flight in partnership with the BBC; the Producers Guild Award and three-time Emmy® Award-winning Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy; BAFTA nominee and Directors Guild Award winner, Three Identical Strangers, directed by Tim Wardle; and the five-time Emmy® Award-winning United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell; and the five-time Emmy® Award-winning The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper. CNN Originals can be seen on CNN, to stream via a CNN All Access subscription, on the CNN Original Hub on HBO Max and discovery+, on the CNN Originals FAST channel, and with a pay TV subscription via CNN.com, CNN apps and cable operator platforms.
About CNN International
CNN's portfolio of news and information services is available in seven different languages across all major TV, digital and mobile platforms, reaching more than 379 million households around the globe. CNN International is the number one international TV news channel according to all major media surveys across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific region, and Latin America and has a US presence that includes CNNgo. CNN Digital is a leading network for online news, mobile news and social media. CNN is at the forefront of digital innovation and continues to invest heavily in expanding its digital global footprint, with a suite of award-winning digital properties and a range of strategic content partnerships, commercialised through a strong data-driven understanding of audience behaviours. CNN has won multiple prestigious awards around the world for its journalism. Around 1,000 hours of long-form series, documentaries and specials are produced every year by CNNI's non-news programming division. CNN has 36 editorial offices and more than 1,100 affiliates worldwide through CNN Newsource. CNN International is a Warner Bros. Discovery company.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Daniel Dae Kim explores the phenomenal rise of the K-beauty industry in CNN Original Series K-Everything
Two-Ship Deployment with Spectrum of the Seas, Strengthening Hong Kong's Position as a Cruise Hub
SHANGHAI, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the announcement of the extended Singapore season for Navigator of the Seas, Royal Caribbean is further expanding its presence in Asia with the return of Voyager of the Seas. Beloved by Chinese vacationers, Voyager of the Seas will be seasonally homeported in Hong Kong from January to February 2028, offering a new lineup of itineraries tailored to the Chinese New Year holiday and the peak winter school holiday travel season. The deployment will bring Voyager of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas together in Hong Kong for a two-ship deployment, giving vacationers from China and across Asia more opportunities to set sail from this regional cruise hub and explore a diverse range of destinations. Related sailings are now open for bookings in China.
"Asia is home to remarkable destinations, flavours and cultures the world over wants to experience," said Benjamin Bouldin, President of Greater China and Managing Director Asia, Royal Caribbean. "We have long believed in Hong Kong as an ideal international cruise hub for Asia. With the return of Voyager of the Seas joining Spectrum of the Seas — already homeporting here — our two-ship deployment offers vacationers a broader range of Hong Kong homeport itineraries than ever before. Whether it's a quick weekend getaway with family and friends or a longer journey discovering new destinations, or festive sailings timed for Chinese New Year, the two ships complement each other to give vacationers even more flexibility to explore the best of Asia."
Anthony Lau, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), said, "I am delighted to welcome Royal Caribbean's further expansion of its homeport deployment in Hong Kong. In addition to the arrival of the Spectrum of the Seas next winter, the Voyager of the Seas is also set to be deployed in the city during the Chinese New Year period in 2028. This not only emphasizes Hong Kong's appeal as a regional cruise hub and reflects the industry's confidence in the city, but also offers visitors the opportunity to experience vibrant festive atmosphere that is 'Only in Hong Kong', alongside a rich array of spectacular events and attractions. HKTB will continue to drive more ship calls and deployment to Hong Kong and work with industry partners to step up promotional efforts, attract more visitors, thereby sustaining the growth momentum of Hong Kong's tourism industry."
Voyager of the Seas has a deep connection with the China market. In 2012, she first arrived in Shanghai, becoming one of the largest cruise ships operating from an Asian homeport at the time and witnessing and helping usher China's cruise market into the era of mega-ships. Starting from 2014, she began homeporting at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal in Hong Kong, bringing new energy to the market and deepening Royal Caribbean's local presence. Now, this iconic ship — which carries the cruise memories of a generation of Chinese travelers — returns to Asia with a comprehensive upgrade and a new season from Hong Kong, further demonstrating Royal Caribbean's long-term commitment to deepening its presence in the China market and supporting Hong Kong's development as a cruise hub.
Diverse Itineraries Covering Asia's Bucket-list Destinations
Timed around key travel periods including Chinese New Year and winter vacation, Voyager of the Seas will offer a diverse lineup of 4- to 10-night sailings. During the Chinese New Year period, vacationers can choose 4- or 5-night getaways departing from Hong Kong, China, to Ishigaki and Okinawa, Japan, with select sailings featuring overnight stays in Okinawa, for more time to experience the destinations' natural beauty and unique cultures. Sailings from Hong Kong, China, will also visit Taipei, China (Keelung) and Hue/Danang, Vietnam (Chan May). Vacationers can experience Taipei's vibrant city life and local cuisine, explore the timeless charm of the ancient city of Hue, and take in the coastal scenery of central Vietnam. For those seeking deeper exploration, select sailings of up to 10 nights will connect multiple distinctive ports across Asia, bringing vibrant cities, historic landmarks, coastal landscapes and mountain scenery together in one unforgettable vacation.
Diverse Onboard Experiences for the Whole Family
Beyond the destinations, Voyager of the Seas offers a wide range of onboard experiences for vacationers of all ages. Thrill-seekers can make waves on the FlowRider surf simulator, race down The Perfect Storm waterslides, take on the rock-climbing wall and go ice-skating at Studio B, the ship's onboard ice-skating rink. Friends and families can test their putting skills at Voyager Dunes, the ship's nine-hole mini-golf course, or face off in a glow-in-the-dark battle with Laser Tag: Battle for Planet Z. Younger vacationers have dedicated spaces and activities at Adventure Ocean, while teens can make their own memories at the teen-focused Living Room.
For dining, vacationers can gather over Italian family-style dishes at Giovanni's Table, savour hand-cut steaks at Chops Grille, explore sushi and Japanese-inspired flavours at Izumi, or opt for casual favourites at Windjammer and Café Promenade. Across every day at sea, Voyager gives different generations the ability to spend their holiday in their own way from high-energy thrills and family activities to dining, entertainment and time to unwind.
Two Ships Deepen Royal Caribbean's Asia Presence
In the 2027-28 season, Spectrum of the Seas will continue to homeport in Shanghai and Hong Kong, offering 56 curated itineraries ranging from 3 to 11 nights and visiting 22 popular destinations across Asia. Among them are three warm-winter holiday sailings from Hong Kong — Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year itineraries — giving vacationers more ways to celebrate the festive season at sea. Vacationers can take in the vibrant autumn scenery on Thanksgiving sailings, immerse themselves in the festive spirit on Christmas sailings, and enjoy seasonal highlights such as winter whale watching on New Year sailings, making every journey a memorable experience. With the two ships working together from their Hong Kong homeport, vacationers can choose from short weekend getaways to longer holiday journeys, creating a more comprehensive network of cruise options.
With Navigator of the Seas extending its Singapore season, Voyager of the Seas further expanding its Hong Kong deployment, and Spectrum of the Seas continuing to homeport in both Shanghai and Hong Kong year-round, Royal Caribbean will deploy four ships across the Asian market in the 2027-28 season. Together, they strengthen Royal Caribbean's presence across three key Asian homeports — Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore — and further solidify brand's leading position.
Building on its continually expanding network across Asia, Royal Caribbean will continue to bring more high-quality, immersive overseas vacation experiences to Chinese consumers, turning every journey at sea into a memorable opportunity to connect with loved ones and create lasting memories. At the same time, Royal Caribbean will continue to enrich its portfolio of overseas vacation products for the China market, bringing travel agency partners more quality itineraries and product choices and working together to seize new opportunities across the Asia Pacific travel market.
Starting today, bookings for Voyager and Spectrum 2027–28 season sailings are open across the China market. Vacationers can learn more and make reservations through Royal Caribbean's official website, official WeChat mini program, Fliggy flagship store, Douyin flagship store, authorized Royal Caribbean travel agency partners, or by calling 400-885-0277.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Voyager of the Seas to Return to Hong Kong as Homeport in 2028, Launching Chinese New Year Itineraries
Voyager of the Seas to Return to Hong Kong as Homeport in 2028, Launching Chinese New Year Itineraries
Voyager of the Seas to Return to Hong Kong as Homeport in 2028, Launching Chinese New Year Itineraries
