How Butterfly turns a spy thriller into a family drama, details explored 

Amazon Studios’ Butterfly follows David Jung, played by Daniel Dae Kim, a former U.S. intelligence operative in South Korea who, 9 years ago, faked his death to protect his family. Now her estranged daughter, Rebecca, is working for a private intelligence firm and is on a mission to kill Jung. The show explored the father-daughter relationship along with the espionage thriller that is going on. The suspense builds on what choices Rebecca will make after knowing the truth.

While speaking with The Direct, Daniel Dae Kim explains how the father-daughter bond that Butterfly portrays makes the show unique. While most action pieces are less emotionally grounded, Butterfly uses a complicated personal relationship to anchor the narrative, making it a family drama and not just an action thriller.

“One of the things that makes me most interested in this story is the father–daughter relationship… I think the father–daughter relationship really grounds our show into something real. And the fact that it's a relationship drama makes me lean in a little bit more than if it were just action. But I love action too. So in this show, you get a little of both."

Here is how Butterfly turns a spy thriller into a family drama

As mentioned, Amazon Studios’ upcoming Butterfly is a spy thriller with a unique emotional hook. As much as it is about the espionage, the mission, and intelligence, equally it is about the family of those involved. The heart of the story is the complex father–daughter relationship between David and Rebecca.

Daniel, in the interview, also added that what he found unique in the story is that it's not like other action shows where we see one "macho leading man or woman," but in this show it is nuancedly layered with relationships, making it more resonant and real.

"Well, I actually think that's one of the things that makes me most interested in this story. We've seen a lot of action shows, or you have your macho leading man or leading woman nowadays, which is even better. But you know, a lot of the shows, the relationships and the plot are just a little thin, and there are excuses they get from action sequence to action sequence."

Reina Hardesty, who plays Rebecca, said she was drawn in by the “rich, deep, complex” family dynamic, noting that she became invested in the personal stakes long before the action. This emotional focus allows the show to explore loyalty, betrayal, and forgiveness alongside espionage tropes.

“It’s what drew me to the project from the beginning… I was so invested in the family dynamic part of it, because it’s such a rich, deep, complex story.”

But this isn't it. Butterfly comes with more such personal human relationships that anchor the narrative. Piper Perabo and Louis Landau play Juno and Oliver, two key antagonists whose own bond is strained and tumultuous. Landau compared the couples with the ships seen at night.

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“Ships in the night that are constantly missing opportunities to connect with each other… I feel like with our characters, it’s a constant reaching and a constant rejection that starts to flip on its head.”

Butterfly also stars Kim Tae-Hee as Euji Jung, David’s wife, adding yet another perspective on themes like love and betrayal. Her character, while portrayed as a strong-willed and wise woman, dissuades David when he initiates his risky mission, but also understands the significance of the mission for David, as he is determined to reunite with his daughter.

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