A new action series from Prime Video is a unique replacement forKPop Demon Huntersaccording to one of its stars, who unpacks the connection.KPop Demon Hunters' receptionhas been a huge success for Netflix, becoming the second most-watched English-language movie the platform’s ever produced. Plans to franchise it with sequels and spinoff projects are already in the works.
Speaking with theLos Angeles Times, however, actorDaniel Dae Kim explained how his new spy thriller series for Prime Video,Butterfly, is a unique replacement forKPop Demon Hunters. The star unpacked how both reflect Korean stories despite being American entertainment, describing how meaningful both projects are in terms of representation and telling Korean stories on streaming:
I always think about what the semiotics of a project are when I take it. What’s the representation like? What’s the character like? Who are the people doing it? What’s the story? All these things go into the matrix of how I make these decisions. And “KPop Demon Hunters” was a project in the same spirit as “Butterfly.” It was taking a form of entertainment that’s Korean but putting it into English to make it for Americans and the world outside of Korea. There were Korean Americans behind it, just like “Butterfly.” I saw that when they asked me to do it, and it was an easy yes.
But no one can ever tell what the impact of a project is going to be when you’re making it. I did not expect this from “KPop Demon Hunters,” but I sure had a good time voicing the role, and that was one of the reasons I did it too. I enjoy comedy, and when I do voice roles I get to do more of it so I leaned into it and thought this was a fun character.
My entire social media feed is “KPop Demon Hunters” right now. And I gotta say, watching the Korean K-pop stars embrace “KPop Demon Hunters” was as meaningful to me as watching non-Koreans embrace it. Because very often in Korea, Korean American stories don’t resonate, but now they’re just starting to. Maybe “Butterfly” can be a part of that, and Koreans will take note of Korean Americans as well as Americans taking note of Korean Americans. We’ve always been that middle group, and hopefully we’ll be able to shine in the spotlight.
What Kim’s Analysis Of Butterfly Says About Its KPop Demon Hunters Connection
Butterflystars Kim as David Jung, a former US intelligence operative who faked his own death and was hiding in South Korea for many years. However, the agency he’s part of ends up hiring his daughter, Rebecca, to find him, the pair who each other is upon reuniting. The show follows them reconnecting as they try to escape the agency.
Kim voiced Healer Han on thecast ofKPop Demon Hunters, a doctor who helps the main trio out during the movie with his tonics. Given his involvement in both projects, his viewpoint on how wellButterflycan perform when compared to the Netflix movie is unique. It also emphasizes the faith he has in the Prime Video series.
Both projects are reflective ofincreased representation of Korean stories in media. WhileNetflix’s K-drama boomand manhwa comics have increased in popularity in recent years, bothKPop Demon HuntersandButterflyopen the door for more American-Korean stories. The popularity of the Netflix movie indicates there’s plenty of demand for more, which the Prime Video show can accommodate.
Our Take On KPop Demon Hunters & Butterfly’s Similarities
Kim’s analysis of both streaming originals' similarities indicates how they’re both telling very different stories that still have some similar ideas to their presentation. WhileButterflyis aimed at an older audience and is action-centric, it still offers similar levels of representation asKPop Demon Hunters, just in a different genre and medium. The actor’s right about their connection.
However, it’s unclear ifButterflycan ever match the popularity ofKPop Demon Hunters. However, it doesn’t need to, since the fact it exists on Prime Video is enough to showcase a new lens for Korean stories on streaming. With the series having just arrived on August 13, only time will tell how popular it will be in comparison.
