For decades, Kim Tae-hee has been a household name in South Korea. She is known not only for her stunning looks but also for her intellect; she’s a graduate of the prestigious Seoul National University. Kim has been a consistent presence in hit television dramas since the early 2000s, including popular series like Stairway to Heaven and Love Story in Harvard.
Her career has established her as a top-tier actress, affectionately called a “CF Queen” for her popularity in commercials. Now, with a role in the new Amazon Prime Video series Butterfly, she is stepping onto a global stage, a move that feels both like a personal milestone and a sign of a larger shift in the entertainment world, where Korean talent is no longer confined to local screens.
Kim’s decision to take on a part in Butterfly was not simply a calculated move to enter Hollywood. In an interview, she stated that she is “naturally drawn to roles and genres that I’ve never tried before,” and that the story itself was the primary reason for her involvement. She wasn’t pursuing a Hollywood production for its own sake, but rather a story that “make my heart race.” For Kim, the project was about the emotional story and the character of Eunju, a part that she found both challenging and fulfilling.
The Global-Local Hybrid: Production on a New Scale
Butterfly is a hybrid project, a spy thriller based on an American graphic novel but set and filmed entirely in South Korea. The series follows David Jung, played by Daniel Dae Kim, a former US intelligence operative whose past decisions come back to haunt him. His life is upended when he is pursued by Rebecca (Reina Hardesty), a young assassin who works for the organization he once helped create.
Daniel Dae Kim’s involvement goes beyond his acting role. As an executive producer through his company 3AD, he played a crucial part in bringing the show to life. He was instrumental in moving the setting from Europe, as it was in the original graphic novel, to South Korea. This decision allowed the series to explore the unique experience of a Korean-American individual navigating two different cultures, an idea that has been central to Kim’s career since his breakout role in Lost.
A bigger difference was the workflow. Korean dramas often write their scripts as the episodes are being filmed, but for Butterfly, all six episodes were finished before production began. This provided her with a complete view of her character’s journey. She was also impressed by the presence of a writer, Steph Cha, on set almost every day to revise dialogue.
Read more: ‘Butterfly’ Series Review: Daniel Dae Kim and Reina Hardesty Shine in New Prime Video Show
This constant effort to refine the script and make the lines “sound better, more natural,” was a memorable part of the process for her. It highlights a collaboration between creative teams from different cultures and different professional customs. Daniel Dae Kim, who is both the show’s star and an executive producer, served as a bridge between the American and Korean crews, ensuring the production ran efficiently.
Butterfly distinguishes itself from other spy thrillers on Prime Video, like Citadel or The Terminal List, by putting a greater emphasis on character relationships. While there are action sequences—including a highlight fight on a bullet train—the show’s central focus is the father-daughter relationship. This emotional core elevates the series beyond a standard cat-and-mouse plot.
Kim Tae-hee’s character, Eunju, is David Jung’s wife and finds herself in the middle of this chaos. Kim has spoken about one scene on a high-speed train as being particularly powerful, where her character confronts Rebecca and, despite the hostility, feels a “maternal instinct.” Her performance showcases her considerable skill and adds a layer of quiet drama to the show.
If you are interested in reading a more detailed commentary on the show’s qualities, you can find our full review here.
Butterfly premieres on August 13th on Prime Video.
