'Butterfly' Review: Daniel Dae Kim Shines in a Spy Thriller That Doesn’t Quite Take Flight

If you’ve been dying for a mainstream Asian-led spy thriller that doesn’t feel like a recycled Jason Bourne leftover, Amazon Prime Video’s Butterfly probably caught your eye. With Daniel Dae Kim front and center, gorgeous South Korean backdrops, and plenty of covert ops action, this series had all the ingredients for a binge-worthy espionage ride.

And yet, much like a butterfly pinned behind glass, the show looks great but doesn’t really move.

As someone who was lucky enough to screen all six episodes before the August 13 premiere, I came in with high hopes and left with a very mixed bag. So let’s break it down. This is your full, honest Butterfly review, no fluff, no spoilers, and definitely no fake hype.

Daniel Dae Kim Is the Main Attraction and Rightfully So

Let’s start with the obvious. Daniel Dae Kim is a star. Always has been. From Lost to Hawaii Five-0 to his recent (and excellent) turn as Fire Lord Ozai in Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender, he’s consistently magnetic. And in Butterfly, he proves once again that he’s built for action.

Kim plays David Jung, a former U.S. intelligence operative trying to live a quiet life in South Korea until his past comes back to haunt him. Classic spy setup. But unlike the usual grizzled white dude with a five o’clock shadow and a dead wife, we get a complex Asian lead who actually brings depth and gravitas to the role. That alone makes this show feel like a step forward.

Representation That Matters (And Looks Damn Good Too)

Courtesy of Prime Video

Let’s talk about the representation because it deserves to be highlighted. Not only is Butterfly led by an Asian actor, but it also features a supporting cast that reflects the Korean setting. The show is set in South Korea and absolutely makes use of that both visually and culturally.

The cinematography? Beautiful. South Korea serves as a stunning, moody, high-tech backdrop that adds flavor and authenticity to the espionage narrative. And the music? Top tier. BTS’s J-Hope even makes an appearance on the soundtrack with What If…, setting the tone for more than one emotional moment.

So yes, from a diversity and aesthetic standpoint, Butterfly delivers. But now let’s get into the meat of the matter.

Storyline: Predictable with a Capital “P”

This is where Butterfly starts to flutter off course. The premise is decent, the setup is intriguing, and the stakes feel real enough. But once the initial excitement wears off, you realize, you’ve seen this before. Probably a dozen times.

There’s the rogue agent. The mysterious young operative (played by Reina Hardesty) sent to track him down. The secretive organization pulling the strings. The inevitable betrayal. Cue the dramatic stares and heavy-handed metaphors about trust and redemption.

Look, I’m not asking for Inception-level twists here, but Butterfly plays it so safe that by episode three, I could basically predict how the rest of the season would unfold. And spoiler alert: I was right.

Acting: A Mixed Bag That Tilts Unevenly

Courtesy of Prime Video

Daniel Dae Kim? Nailed it. The big bad antagonist? Surprisingly solid. But the rest of the cast? Let’s just say they needed another take or two. Or ten.

While the leads held it down, the supporting performances felt flat and one-note. Emotional moments didn’t quite land. Interrogation scenes felt more like awkward auditions than high-stakes confrontations. You can have all the slick visuals in the world, but if the performances aren’t consistent, the story starts to wobble.

Action Scenes: Polished but Not Punchy

Now to the fights. Yes, they were clean. Yes, they were choreographed well. But did they make me sit up in my seat? Not really. These are the kind of action sequences you’ve seen a hundred times in other spy shows, only here they’re just a little prettier.

It’s like someone checked all the boxes for a proper thriller, gunfights, foot chases, rooftop scenes but forgot to add that one wild, memorable moment that actually gets people talking. Butterfly never delivers a scene that makes you text your group chat with “You HAVE to see this.”

The Ending: Cliffhanger Without Closure

I won’t spoil anything, but I will say this, the finale ends on a cliffhanger. A big one. And with no official word yet on a season two renewal, that’s either a bold move or a frustrating misstep. Depending on how invested you are, it’ll either leave you intrigued or annoyed.

Let’s be real. If this show gets renewed, it has a chance to grow into something stronger. The foundation is there. But season one? It plays things way too safe to make a lasting impact.

Final Verdict: Worth Watching, But Temper Expectations

So, should you watch Butterfly? Sure, especially if you’re a fan of Daniel Dae Kim or hungry for Asian-led stories in a genre that desperately needs more diversity. It’s a visually rich, culturally grounded spy thriller with potential.

But don’t expect it to blow your mind. Butterfly is a beautifully wrapped package with not much inside. Gorgeous visuals, strong lead, and solid vibes but ultimately weighed down by safe writing and a story that doesn’t trust its audience to handle anything unpredictable.

TLDR: Watch Butterfly for Daniel Dae Kim and the Korean setting. Skip it if you're looking for a fresh, innovative spy story. It's stylish, diverse, and watchable but don’t expect a genre revolution.

Once you watch, come back and let us know what did you think of Butterfly? Love it, hate it, confused by the ending? Drop your thoughts in the comments or over on social, let’s talk spy shows that almost stick the landing.