Airdate: Innovate: South Korea

CNN’s Innovate: South Korea turns the spotlight to several tech and retail companies in Seoul.

South Korea is consistently named one of the most digitally connected countries in the world. It’s home to tech heavyweights that have changed the way we live when it comes to electronics, entertainment, food and fashion.

From start-ups and emerging unicorns to the established conglomerates, join CNN’s Kristie Lu Stout as she speaks to some of Asia’s biggest names in tech on ‘Innovate: South Korea’ to learn how new ideas are being fostered and rules are being redefined.

In this special 30-minute show, CNN gets a front-row seat to the innovation underway at Samsung. It may be the world’s largest smartphone maker, but with the global market for mobiles shrinking, the South Korean tech giant is now looking to develop its ‘next big thing’. CNN takes an exclusive look inside Samsung’s secretive R&D labs just outside of Seoul, where CEO Hyun-Suk Kim is leading a team of researchers working on wearable robotics, the country’s future 5G network, and new mobile healthcare technology.

CNN also meets the team behind food delivery app Baedal Minjok, a start-up that has been praised for its creative campaigns, unique branding and out-of-the-box thinking. Parent company Woowa Brothers continues to remain in the spotlight with its Silicon Valley-esque culture that bucks the trend of overwork in the country. Employees at South Korea’s leading online delivery company work a 35-hour week, with the business consistently rated one of the best in Korea.

Having sold more than 70 million units worldwide with 400 million players, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds is one of the best-selling PC games of all time. It originated in South Korea, which has secured its place as one of the best in e-sports and gaming culture in the world. Video game company Krafton owes much of its success to this one game so CNN sits down with CEO Chang Byung-Gyu to find out how Krafton plans to diversify, as well as channel the wild popularity of PUBG into new business opportunities.

Finally, ‘Innovate: South Korea’ meets cult Korean eyewear brand, Gentle Monster, which brings its trademark avant-garde touch to its storefronts. Whimsical art installations and store-specific themes are redefining retail, generating hype among celebrities, sparking collaborations with the likes of Huawei and Fendi, and pushing the boundary between art and commerce.

Saturday, July 4 at 2:00pm on CNN.