Daniel Dae Kim, 57, Takes 'Pride' in Doing His Own Stunts in "Butterfly": 'I Have No Plans of Stopping' (Exclusive) Lizzie HymanAugust 21, 2025 at 3:49 AM Ben Trivett/Shutterstock Daniel Dae Kim in 2025 Daniel Dae Kim executive produces and stars in the new spythriller series Butterfly, and says he ...
- - Daniel Dae Kim, 57, Takes 'Pride' in Doing His Own Stunts in "Butterfly": 'I Have No Plans of Stopping' (Exclusive)
Lizzie HymanAugust 21, 2025 at 3:49 AM
Ben Trivett/Shutterstock
Daniel Dae Kim in 2025 -
Daniel Dae Kim executive produces and stars in the new spy-thriller series Butterfly, and says he "takes pride" in doing all but one of the stunts in the show and has "no plans of stopping"
The Lost and Hawaii Five-O actor describes Butterfly as "a synthesis of all of the roles I've ever done"
"The action of Hawaii Five-0, the reconnection to my Korean heritage through Lost, the filmmaking lessons I've learned from movies like Hellboy . . . I think this project could only have come at this point in my career," he tells PEOPLE
Age may be just a number, but for Daniel Dae Kim, it's certainly not a limitation.
Speaking with PEOPLE on his 57th birthday for this week's issue, the actor revealed that his latest project had him performing nearly all of his own stunts, something he still cherishes about his work.
"I did almost all of my stunts. The insurance company wouldn't let me do one, though," Kim says of his leading role in Butterfly, a new Prime Video series in which he plays a former intelligence operative hunted by an agent sent to kill him — who also happens to be his daughter. "I take pride in the fact that I do so many stunts, and I have no plans of stopping."
Juhan Noh/Prime
'Butterfly'The preparation for the show, which he also executive produces, was not just physical but emotional.
The actor, who shares two sons — Zander, 29, and Jackson, 23 — with his wife, Mia, says he "tapped into [his] own life" while preparing to play the protective father opposite Reina Hardesty, who portrays his daughter. "I try to guide my kids the best I can, but even with the best intentions, I'm going to make mistakes. That's part of being a parent."
He adds, "I like it when my kids give me advice about my career. Like, 'I think this is a good move for you,' or 'Old people might think that, but here's what the young people think.' They give me some perspective. It means a lot to me to share whatever success I have with my family. It's a team effort."
It's been 15 years since he portrayed plane crash survivor Jin-Soo Kwon on Lost — the groundbreaking sci-fi drama that Kim "wouldn't be here without." When the series finale aired in 2010, Kim was embarking on another long-running milestone: Hawaii Five-0, a modern update of the '70s cop drama featuring Kim as police task force member Chin Ho Kelly.
Earlier this year, Kim made history as the first Asian actor nominated for a Tony Award for Best Lead Actor in a Play, for his Broadway role in Yellow Face.
CBS via Getty
Daniel Dae Kim on 'Hawaii Five-0'For Kim, who was born in South Korea and grew up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Butterfly is a culmination of his past achievements.
"I feel like this show is a synthesis of all of the roles I've ever done," he explains, reflecting on his journey. "The action of Hawaii Five-0, the reconnection to my Korean heritage through Lost, the filmmaking lessons I've learned from movies like Hellboy . . . I think this project could only have come at this point in my career."
He adds, "I feel like even after all these years, my career has grown, and I'm fortunate for that. It's because of all of my past experiences that I'm able to do this, and I feel like the best is yet to come."
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Butterfly is now streaming in full on Prime Video.
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