Butterfly is a highly anticipated spy-thriller series arriving on Prime Video on August 13, 2025. Starring Daniel Dae Kim in the lead role, the show dives into the double life of a former U.S. intelligence agent hiding in South Korea. Based on the popular graphic novel by Arash Amel and Marguerite Bennett, this six-episode limited series brings together espionage, emotional depth, and family secrets — all in a fast-paced, action-packed format.
As confirmed by NetFilming, one of the most striking aspects of Butterfly is its rich visual setting. The series makes full use of real-world locations in South Korea, especially Seoul and Busan, to create an authentic and immersive viewing experience.
Where was Butterfly filmed?
The entire Butterfly series was filmed in Seoul, South Korea, a city that perfectly blends modern energy with rich cultural heritage. The busy streets and famous sights of Seoul are the perfect setting for a story that mixes high-stakes spying with personal problems. The production team used different parts of the city to create a colourful world where David Jung has to deal with threats from the past and present.
Seoul, South Korea
All Images: IMDB
Key Filming Areas in Seoul:
- Downtown Seoul: The heart of Seoul is downtown. Its tall buildings and busy streets make the perfect setting for the show’s intense chase scenes and secret spy missions. Gangnam and Yeouido are two areas with sleek business districts that are likely to show up in action-packed scenes where spies are always in danger. These places give Butterfly a polished, international look that fits with its spy theme.Trivia: Gangnam’s modern streets have been used in films like Parasite (2019) and the Netflix series Squid Game (2021) to show off South Korea’s urban vibe, making it a well-known place for people all over the world.
- Seoul’s Outer Districts: The production probably went to Seoul’s quieter neighbourhoods, like Seongbuk or Mapo, to film scenes showing David Jung’s attempt to live a quiet, off-the-grid life. These places are different from the city’s busy centre, giving us a more down-to-earth view of the character’s world.Trivia: Mapo’s residential areas have been in K-dramas like Itaewon Class (2020), which used the district’s cosy streets to show personal stories against the backdrop of Seoul’s busy city life.
- Traditional Areas: The show may include historic places like Bukchon Hanok Village or temples like Jogyesa to show off South Korea’s rich culture. These places give the high-tech spy world more depth by making it feel more real and showing off Seoul’s unique mix of old and new.Trivia: Did you know that Bukchon Hanok Village is a popular place to film period dramas like Mr. Sunshine (2018) and modern hits like Goblin (2016)? The traditional Korean houses there are very well preserved.
Butterfly can take place in a lot of different places in Seoul because it has futuristic skylines, peaceful neighbourhoods and historic charm. ThThe lively energy of the city enhances the tension in the spy story and highlights the personal stakes of David Jung’s journey.
South Korea’s Busan
Most of the filming took place in Seoul, but some important scenes were also shot in Busan, which is South Korea’s second-largest city. Busan is known for its port, coastline, and hilly landscape. The series had a different feel because scenes were probably filmed near Jagalchi Market, Gwangalli Beach, and Busan Port.
The scenes in Busan are likely to include intelligence operations, secret exchanges and high-stakes action along the coast.
Trivia: Busan was also a filming location for the Korean blockbuster Train to Busan and it hosts the annual Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), one of Asia’s most prestigious film events.
Production Timeline
| Phase | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Pre-Production | August – October 2024 |
| Principal Photography | November 2024 – February 2025 |
| Post-Production | March – June 2025 |
| Official Trailer Released | July 2025 |
| Streaming Release on Prime Video | August 13, 2025 |
The filming team spent several months capturing the balance of tension, mystery, and emotional storytelling that the series is built on. Shooting in South Korea allowed the creators to bring an authentic East-meets-West aesthetic, blending Korean drama sensibilities with Western spy-thriller energy.
Butterfly Behind The Scenes
Butterfly was a carefully crafted project that combined intense action with personal storytelling. ThThe production team worked for months on each episode to ensure that every detail, from the stunt choreography to the emotional dialogue, felt authentic.
Filming in South Korea was a conscious choice. Executive producer and lead actor Daniel Dae Kim shared,
“We wanted the show to feel grounded and real. Shooting in Korea gave us that cultural depth and visual intensity we were looking for.”
Director Kitao Sakurai also pushed for a cinematic look, using handheld cameras, practical lighting and location-based setups instead of relying heavily on green screens.
“We leaned into the city’s raw energy. Seoul became more than a setting—it became a character,” Sakurai explained in a behind-the-scenes interview.
Reina Hardesty, who plays Rebecca, trained in close-combat for weeks.
“My scenes required a lot of physical prep. We wanted every hit, every fall, to feel real.”
The production team also worked closely with local Korean crews, which helped bridge East and West filmmaking styles. This collaboration helped the show maintain authenticity while reaching global standards.
Stay tuned to NetFilming for more exclusive updates and behind-the-scenes coverage on Butterfly and other upcoming releases.
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