Great Korean Railway Journeys

Synopsis

Travelling by rail across South Korea, Michael explores one of the world’s most successful modern nations, shaped by division, resilience and rapid change.

First Air Date: 2026-05-04

Last Air Date: 2026-05-04

Number of Seasons: 1

Number of Episodes: 5

Networks: BBC Two

Top Cast

Michael Portillo as Self - Presenter

Seasons

Series 1 (2026)

Michael travels by rail across South Korea, exploring a modern national success story.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: DMZ to Seoul (2026-05-04)

Michael begins his journey at the tense frontier of the Demilitarised Zone before heading to the capital of Seoul, a vast-fast moving city that has become one of the world's most advanced cities.
Ep. 2: Suwon to Seodaemun (Seoul) (2026-05-05)

Michael’s South Korean railway journey continues in Seoul. Travelling across one of the world’s largest metro systems, he heads south to Suwon to visit Samsung’s headquarters.
Ep. 3: Daejeon to Busan (2026-05-06)

Leaving Seoul aboard South Korea’s high-speed KTX train, Michael travels south through the heart of the country to explore how rail has shaped both its economy and identity.
Ep. 4: Busan to Jeonju (2026-05-07)

Michael’s journey continues in Busan, South Korea’s second city, on the country’s south eastern coast. Later, he heads to Jeonju, where he meets a master craftsman producing hanji paper.
Ep. 5: Gwangju to Jeju (2026-05-08)

On the final leg of his journey, Michael travels to South Korea’s south west, where food, protest and landscape reveal the values that have shaped the modern nation.