Butterfly star Perabo talks about the growing popularity of Korean cinema through K-Dramas in the world

The upcoming Prime Video series Butterfly brings together an international cast and a storyline rooted in South Korea. According to Collider, the show follows David Jung, a former U.S. intelligence operative played by Daniel Dae Kim, who has moved to South Korea for a new life.

However, his past soon catches up with him when he becomes the target of a spy organization. Actress Piper Perabo, who plays a villain in the series, shared her views on the global rise of Korean entertainment.

Perabo told Collider that she initially thought filming would happen in Toronto, but later learned she would spend the production in South Korea. She said this experience allowed her to work with an all-Korean crew and cast. Referring to the country’s creative reach, Perabo said,

“This K-drama thing that’s flourishing out of Korean cinema is so powerful and so undeniable.”

Korean cultural exports have gained global attention through films, series, music, and beauty trends. Shows like Squid Game and films such as Parasite have been part of this wave. In Butterfly, these elements merge with an international spy plot, offering audiences a mix of Korean settings and global storytelling.

What is Butterfly about?

According to Collider’s exclusive preview, Butterfly will be released on August 13 with all six episodes available on Prime Video. The series comes from Ken Woodruff, known for The Mentalist and Gotham.

The story of Butterfly centers on David Jung, an unpredictable ex-intelligence agent who relocates to South Korea after leaving his past work. His life takes a turn when a spy group begins to target him for a decision he made in the past.

The cast includes Reina Hardesty (The Secret Art of Human Flight), Louis Landau (Rivals), Piper Perabo (Yellowstone), and Kim Ji-hoon (The Haunted Palace). Other members are Park Hae-soo (Squid Game), Charles Parnell (Top Gun: Maverick), Sean Dulake (Dramaworld), Kim Tae-hee (Stairway to Heaven), Nayoon Kim, Sung Dong-il (House on Wheels), and Lee Il-hwa (Reply 1988).

Collider’s preview clip from Butterfly shows a fight scene set in a busy train station. David Jung spots an enemy approaching, removes his belt to disarm the attacker, and is knocked down. A young woman then helps him onto a departing train. Curtis Green composed the background score for this scene.

Perabo’s experience filming in South Korea

Speaking to Collider, Perabo explained that filming in South Korea was not what she initially expected, as she thought the project would be shot in Canada. Instead, production took place across various locations in Seoul and other parts of the country.

She said,

“Min-sik Choi’s performance in the original Oldboy is one of my favorite performances. I never dreamed that in this moment of the K-wave, I would get a chance to film with an all-Korean crew, mostly Korean cast, in Seoul and all over the country.”

Perabo described the current wave of Korean media as something that has become an important part of global culture. She noted that even those who have not watched Parasite are likely familiar with Squid Game. She also pointed out that Korean pop music, known as K-pop, and beauty products, known as K-beauty, have entered mainstream markets worldwide.

Her statements reflect the international growth of Korean entertainment, which has expanded beyond national borders through streaming platforms, international film festivals, and online fan communities.

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