Kim Tae-hee made a striking impression at the Butterfly world premiere held on August 5 (local time) at Regal Union Square in New York City, signaling her confident entry into Hollywood.
Wearing a sleek off-shoulder black dress adorned with ruffles and paired with statement earrings and crystal heels, Kim Tae-hee exuded timeless elegance while avoiding monotony with delicate details. Her glossy, straight hairstyle completed the clean, classic look — a perfect match for her graceful red carpet presence.
As she posed confidently for cameras, fans and fashion watchers alike noted a distinct shift in her aura — refined yet boldly self-assured, fitting for an actress stepping onto the global stage.
However, she has also become the center of heated discussion online after close-up photos from a recent red carpet event surfaced via Getty Images—often dubbed “the photographer with the most unforgiving angles for celebrities.”
In the images, fans noted visible wrinkles around her mouth and eyes, pronounced under-eye bags, and deep crow’s feet when she smiled—all accentuated by the flash. Her petite figure also drew attention, as she appeared somewhat overshadowed next to the international cast on stage.
This comes just months after rumors surfaced that Kim Tae-hee may have undergone cosmetic procedures to preserve her youthful appearance, as she was previously spotted with an unusually stiff expression.
While some netizens expressed shock, others defended the actress, pointing to full-body shots and different angles that still captured her beauty. Many praised her for embracing natural aging, calling it a refreshing contrast to the pressure of maintaining an eternally youthful image in the entertainment industry.
Butterfly marks Kim Tae-hee’s first official Hollywood project. While her role remains undisclosed, the spy thriller series — adapted from the graphic novel of the same name — features a stellar Korean cast including Kim Ji-hoon, Park Hae-soo, Sung Dong-il, and Lee Il-hwa.
The six-episode series follows the intense cat-and-mouse game between former U.S. intelligence agent David Jung (played by Daniel Dae Kim) and the agent sent to eliminate him, Rebecca (played by Reina Hardesty).
Butterfly will premiere in South Korea on tvN starting August 22, airing Fridays and Saturdays at 10:40 p.m.
Kim Tae-hee’s poised transformation and the star-studded international production have only amplified anticipation for the drama — and for her future on the global screen.
Sources: 경향신문