‘Butterfly’ Review: Can Hollywood Overcome Barriers and Start Making K-Dramas?

It is no surprise that the success of series like Squid Games and even Kpop Demon Hunters has ushered in a wave of Korean content. People want more and Hollywood is heeding the call. Now, Daniel Dae Kim, renowned for his role in the American series Lost, has found himself filming in Korea for his hit action show Butterfly.

Available on Amazon Prime and debuting in Korea through tvN, the action-packed spy family drama blends Korean dramatics, American action, and various cultural phenomena, making it an entertaining watch from start to finish. The series follows Rebecca (Reina Hardesty), a young woman ordered to assassinate a former intelligence agent. Her mission takes a dramatic turn when the target turns out to be her estranged father, David Jung (Daniel Dae Kim). As the father and daughter reconnect, their fragile reunion is interrupted by the sudden appearance of a mysterious man who longs for their blood (Kim Ji Hoon), constantly lurking in the corner and trying to take David’s life.

The buzz surrounding the global cast was worth the hype. Familiar stars like Kim Tae Hee made her Hollywood debut, and her performance was believable, natural, and well implemented into the story. Dialogue, whether in English or Korean, felt smooth and not forced. Daniel Dae Kim, the director of Butterfly, truly took the initiative to incorporate various elements of Korean culture, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed. Beautiful shots panning the cities of Seoul, close-ups of delicious K-Foods, and multiple interactions and gestures that are hilariously new to foreign audiences. Back in the day, when Korean culture and trends were still unknown to Western audiences, this series would easily make any K-Fan smile ear to ear.

Aside from the cultural aspects, the fight scenes are no joke. Usually, Netflix flaunts a large budget, but Amazon Prime is right up there. Action scenes felt believable (which Daniel revealed all the cast had stunt doubles) and the story didn’t feel like it was dragged on. Of course, there are dialogue-heavy scenes, but each felt crucial in pushing the story in the right direction and highlighting the worn-out relationship Rebecca and David share. There is plenty of witty banter dropped here and there, and the inclusion of Korean was delightfully well utilized. Even Rebecca, who cannot speak Korean, has her moments to shine and speak the language without sounding cringe.

While many characters were fun to watch, Rebecca was an absolute standout. She trained diligently with a combat director just for these scenes and expressed that she “Enjoyed telling the story through the choreography and exploring the father-daughter relationship through this physicality.“ Kim Ji Hoon also played his role quite well. He explained that Daniel Dae Kim did everything to turn him into a badass and it was a success. His character is well-written, and just seeing him appear on screen brings tension to the audience. Juno is another character who poses as not just a threat but also as a visual parallel of David and Rebecca’s beliefs. She is power-hungry and merciless, unlike David, who has a soft heart despite his trade.

Some complaints may lie with people who were fans of the original 2014 graphic novel. Some plot twists were made and storylines tweaked for a TV audience. The story may also feel plain for others since it is a spy story that feels told before. It isn’t anything elaborate or new, but the story is still compelling. A father who abandons his kids on a spy mission, and now the child fights with her inner turmoil and longs for a normal life with her father. Simple but nothing too captivating.

One thing viewers, including the cast, discuss is the possibility of Season 2 of Butterfly. The show seems to have the potential to further tell the already riveting story. However, viewers wonder if they will continue filming in Korea and highlighting the culture, as Daniel worked so hard to do. Although the series constantly mentions an all-Korean cast, they are mostly killed off towards the end, leaving a bitter taste for viewers who anticipated more from their favorite K-Drama stars. The tragic open ending in the final episode will leave viewers angry and definitely wanting more from the story.

In the end, Butterfly is a fantastic show to watch – especially for fans of action series. It doesn’t fail at highlighting wonderful aspects of Korean culture and the production quality is noteworthy. Seeing some K-Drama stars having little screen time may receive some outcry, but the sad ending is what will really anger some viewers. Although the action scenes are well-executed, the mediocre spy storyline isn’t the most compelling. Perhaps the second season can finish what it started and leave fans feeling more satisfied rather than struggling to find closure. (7/10)

>> ‘Butterfly’ Cast Share Their Bond and Talk Filming Action Scenes Despite Language Barriers