Based on the graphic novel by Arash Amel, creators Ken Woodruff and Steph Cha have adapted Butterfly for the screen, now streaming on Amazon Prime Video, with star Daniel Dae Kim serving as an executive producer. The series is set in South Korea and features a predominantly Korean and Korean-American cast.
What may surprise viewers most is that for a series about spies, Butterfly is light on actual spy-craft. This seems contradictory, as characters in the private intelligence community constantly discuss keeping secrets, assassinating threats, and theorizing about nefarious plots behind the scenes. However, the show is less concerned with the logistical ethics of private intelligence and its influence on global conflicts. Instead, Butterfly aims to tell a story where love is the driving force.
Story
The plot follows David Jung on a quest to find the daughter he was forced to abandon nine years prior after a devastating betrayal. Along the way, he uncovers deadlier secrets and faces far greater obstacles than he anticipated in his mission for revenge and reconciliation.
At its heart, Butterfly is about a father and his estranged adult daughter navigating years of abandonment and betrayal. The relationship between David and Rebecca is deeply strained by the fact that she believed he was dead for nine years—a decision he claims he made to protect her. In his absence, Rebecca was raised and trained by Juno (Piper Perabo), David’s former co-founder and the current leader of the spy organization CADDIS. Juno is a hardened assassin, labeled a sociopath, who grapples with her own unresolved trauma. She embodies the spy archetype whose stylish wardrobe and carefree attitude mask a deep-seated depression.
Performances
The performances in Butterfly are fantastic across the board. It is particularly rewarding to see Daniel Dae Kim take center stage in a project of this scale, building on his splendid work in shows like Lost and Hawaii Five-0.
Piper Perabo is masterfully enigmatic as Juno, keeping the audience guessing about her true motives. Louis Landau gives an excellent performance, effectively portraying his character Oliver’s journey of disillusionment. Despite limited screen time, Kim Tae-hee, Sean Dulake, Charles Parnell, Park Hae-soo, and Kim Ji-hoon all deliver standout performances.
However, the breakout star is Reina Hardesty as Rebecca. She is phenomenal at conveying her character’s complex emotional state, carries herself with confidence in the action sequences, and maintains a stylish, compelling presence throughout.
Behind the scenes
That said, the series does not lack spectacle. It is filled with hand-to-hand combat, thrilling chase sequences, and massive practical explosions, along with tense moments of infiltration and suspense. The stunt team, actors, directors, and every department involved have clearly invested their best efforts into these action-heavy set pieces.
However, the cinematography and editing are inconsistent in showcasing this impressive work. For instance, the on-foot and vehicular chases are uniformly thrilling, with impactful shot choices and sharp cutting. In contrast, the fight sequences are often muddled by frantic editing and excessive camera angles, which obscure the intricate choreography and prevent the viewer from appreciating the full picture. For audiences invested in the characters’ emotional journey, these technical flaws may not be a significant distraction. Aesthetically, the series is spectacular—from its vibrant colors and lighting to its excellent costumes, production design, and musical score.
Final Verdict
Butterfly is a fast-paced and enjoyable ride compressed into a six-episode arc. Its brevity ensures the narrative remains focused, leaving little time for superfluous content or rambling plotlines. The series prioritizes character exploration over story mechanics, keeping its attention locked on the central mission.
While the groundwork for a second season is apparent, its necessity is questionable without a significant improvement in the writing. Nevertheless, the dynamic chemistry shared by Kim, Hardesty, and Perabo is a powerful draw in itself. Ultimately, Butterfly will not make a monumental impact. However, for audiences in search of vibrant action, strategic mind games, and a tense father-daughter relationship, the show proves to be very rewarding entertainment.
