Butterfly is a grounded spy story set and filmed in South Korea, using real city streets to build its mood and action. The series follows a former U.S. intelligence officer trying to live quietly in Seoul until his past comes back and forces him to confront threats at home.
Filming sites and public spaces serve more than just as backdrops here; they help illustrate the contrast between public activity and private fear. Shooting in actual neighborhoods provided the creators with locations to stage chases, quiet conversations, and family scenes that feel authentic. All six episodes premiered on Prime Video on August 13, 2025, with the production team filming across Seoul from late 2024 into 2025.
This article explores the main filming locations, from riverside parks to bustling markets, and explains why those spots were selected.
Filmed mainly in Seoul with some shoots in Busan and Andong

Production notes and local announcements revealed that most scenes of Butterfly were shot across Seoul, with some shoots listed in Busan and Andong for specific sequences.
City officials helped the production get permits and manage street filming so the crew could work in busy public places. Keeping the bulk of filming in one urban area made it easier to move between modern glass districts and quieter residential streets.
City streets and old neighbourhoods give different moods
Filmmakers used places like Gangnam and Yeouido to stage busy, public scenes where crowds or traffic heighten tension. Older parts of the city, including hanok villages and temple areas, appear in quieter scenes that needed a slower pace.
Butterfly switches between high-energy alley chases and small, private courtyards so viewers can feel both kinds of pressure. Those changes in setting make each scene read differently on screen.
Riverside parks and markets were chosen for action and crowds

Local reports stated that Butterfly used Hangang River, Yeouido, and Dongdaemun for scenes needing open space or dense foot traffic. Bridges and riverside paths were ideal for chase sequences on account of long sightlines and footfall.
Markets and narrow streets let characters move through crowds and slip down alleys, which was useful for both tension and small, character-driven moments.
Filming of Butterfly stretched from late 2024 into 2025
Officials say the shoot ran from late 2024 into early 2025 and that Seoul’s location support helped the production set up at riverside parks, main roads, and market areas.
The series was made for Prime Video, and that partnership helped secure resources needed for on-street filming and night shoots.
Locations help depict the story’s public and private sides

Butterfly uses wide river walks for chases and small, tiled alleys for private talks, so each place carries meaning.
For viewers in other countries, the fact that Butterfly was filmed in real Korean streets helps the show feel grounded.
If you look closely while watching Butterfly on Prime Video; you can spot specific bridges, markets, and hanok corners used in key moments. That sense of place is one of the clearest things the production aimed to keep.