Great Korean Railway Journeys
Great Korean Railway Journeys is a TV show on BBC2. All aboard! Travelling across South Korea, Michael Portillo explores one of the world’s most successful modern nations, shaped by division, resilience and rapid change. The program has been available since 2026. A total of 5 episodes have been broadcast, most recently in May 2026.
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Great Korean Railway Journeys
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.
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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.
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.
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.
