Daniel Dae Kim Envisions Butterfly as a Cultural Bridge Between America and Korea
Daniel Dae Kim calls Butterfly his dream project, a stirring spy thriller that doubles as a moving emotional drama and a heartfelt tribute to both Korean and American cultures. Released on Prime Video on August 13, the series is set in South Korea and tracks the journey of David Jung (played by Kim), a former U.S. intelligence operative who resurfaces after a self-imposed disappearance to reconnect with his daughter, Rebecca, who grew up believing he was dead.
Kim, speaking via video call in late July, described the show as rooted in his own experience: “I’m a Korean who was raised in America, and these are the two countries that I love. Why not try and bridge the two cultures?”
His hopes are high, that Butterfly will resonate with audiences across cultural lines.
At its core, Butterfly is just as much a relationship drama as it is a thriller. Ken Woodruff and Steph Cha, the show’s co-creators and writers, focused heavily on the emotional texture beneath the action. Kim emphasizes that his character, David, is deeply flawed, a man shaped by pain, whose attempts to protect his family have led to devastating consequences. Rebecca’s arc is similarly layered with emotional wounds rather than just revenge-focused motivation.
Woodruff shared how his own childhood experiences, specifically his father’s absence and rapid remarriage, created a powerful connection to Rebecca’s ambivalence and anger toward her father. “There’s love there, but there’s also animosity and resentment and jealousy,” he said of the relationship’s complexity.
A pivotal shift from the original graphic novel: the action now unfolds in Korea, bringing a rich cultural backdrop to the story and enabling Kim to advocate for authentic representation. He ensured that notable Korean actors, such as Park Hae-soo, Kim Ji-hoon, and Kim Tae-hee, were cast and that a Korean director helmed part of the production. “Daniel really cared about bridging these two cultures… making sure that those actors and their roles were as fleshed out and as interesting as every other character,” Woodruff added.
Steph Cha also highlighted Kim’s attentiveness on set, particularly how he helped Korean cast members feel welcome and ensured American cast members felt comfortable in Korea, demonstrating his deep sense of “nunchi,” or cultural sensitivity.
Kim recognizes how rare opportunities like Butterfly once were. “I don’t think ‘Butterfly’ could have been made even 10 years ago,” he remarked, pointing to a shifting industry that now allows for richer, more nuanced cross-cultural storytelling.
Summary of Key Points
A Personal Project: Butterfly blends high-octane espionage with heartfelt emotional storytelling, rooted in Kim’s dual identity.
Emotion-Driven Action: The narrative revolves around reconciliation, regret, and the fraught terrain of familial love, especially between a father and daughter.
Cultural Authenticity: Filmed in South Korea and featuring a robust Korean cast and crew, the production stands as a respectful bridge between two worlds.
Evolution of Storytelling: The series exemplifies the growing willingness, and capacity, to tell layered stories featuring Asian and Asian American experiences.