KCrush Interview with Sean Dulake

Sean Dulake has a way of making you feel like you already know him. Whether he’s charming audiences on Korean primetime dramas or pulling fans into the whirlwind fantasy of Dramaworld, the actor, writer, and producer has built a career that blends heart, humor, and global appeal. With each project, he’s carved out a unique space where East meets West—delivering performances that feel both fresh and familiar. Now, as he gears up for his latest role in Butterfly (2025), Dulake is once again stepping into the spotlight with the same charisma that first won fans over. In this exclusive interview, he opens up about his journey, his creative spark, and the moments that continue to inspire him on and off screen.

Q: You’ve acted, written, and directed. Which role feels most natural to you, and which one pushes you the most?

Sean: Acting will always be my first love. Directing, though, is by far the most difficult. You’re running the ship, uniting teams, and making constant critical decisions with limited time and resources. It’s an all-encompassing role.

Q: What’s the hardest part about directing?

Sean: Directing is like a team sport—you’re working with department heads, artists, and crews to manifest your vision. The toughest part is motivating everyone while making countless decisions every day. There’s never enough time or resources, so you do the best with what you have.

Q: When you direct or write, how does your perspective as an actor shape your storytelling?

Sean: I always focus on character. That’s what audiences fall in love with and return for. As actors, we’re constant observers of human behavior, so character work comes naturally—and it’s the heart of any good story.

Q: How do you approach preparing for a role?

Sean: Every role requires different tools. I trained in Meisner, voice, and movement, and I try to pull from whatever works best for the character. For Butterfly, I researched CIA training—not the combat side, but persuasion and manipulation. Learning those techniques gave me insight into Hollis’s mindset.

Q: Why did you choose the title Korea Next, Finding Hallyuwood for your documentary?

Sean: At the time of Gangnam Style, Korean entertainment was just beginning to resonate globally, and I wanted to understand why. “Hallyu” means Korean Wave, so Finding Hallyuwood was a wordplay on Hollywood—a suggestion that Korea could become the next entertainment hub. Looking back, it’s clear Korea has delivered on that promise.

Q: What kind of stories still need to be told about the Korean American experience?

Sean: We’ve only scratched the surface. Streaming has opened the door for global audiences to embrace all kinds of cross-cultural stories. With Butterfly, for example, it’s not about being Korean American—it’s a spy thriller that just happens to center on a Korean American family. Those layered, universal stories are the future.

Q: In Butterfly, you play Hollis. How did you approach developing the character?

Sean: Hollis is ex-CIA and head of the Seoul office of the Caddis Group. I researched CIA psychological tactics like RICE—Resource, Ideology, Coercion, Ego—for turning sources. That helped me ground Hollis’s manipulation skills. And since Butterfly was the first American series fully shot in Korea, my bilingual background was crucial to bridging communication on set.

Q: How did it feel to be part of a series that taps into the global interest in Korean media?

Sean: Honestly, it’s huge. Daniel Dae Kim said the show wouldn’t have been greenlit ten years ago. To have a big studio-backed action series with a predominantly Asian cast shows how much the industry has evolved. I hope Butterfly becomes another reference point that proves these stories can succeed.

Q: How do you see cross-cultural projects shaping opportunities for Korean American actors?

Sean: Every successful project builds a reference point. Crazy Rich Asians was a turning point—suddenly, more opportunities opened up. I hope Butterfly can be that kind of example in the action-thriller space. Personally, I want to get to a place where it’s not even a “talking point”—it just exists.

Q: As someone who works in both the U.S. and Korea, what cultural differences stand out most?

Sean: In Korea, filmmaking feels communal—actors even help move equipment if it helps the crew. In the U.S., there’s more emphasis on individual excellence and entrepreneurship. Both are powerful, and I’ve learned a lot from each.

Q: Can you share a fun behind-the-scenes moment from Butterfly?

Sean: At the wrap party, everyone—Korean and American—sang karaoke together. It was hilarious watching American crew members belt out Korean ballads. It felt like the perfect cultural equalizer and a memory I’ll never forget.

Q: Since you speak both Korean and English, do you have a favorite expression from the set?

Sean: In Korea, we always end the day with “수고하셨습니다” (You worked hard/thank you for your efforts). It literally means “you have suffered well,” but it’s a way of honoring everyone’s contribution. I love that spirit of gratitude.

Q: If you weren’t pursuing acting or filmmaking, what would you be doing?

Sean: When I was a kid, I wanted to be a scientist. I love exploring how things work, and I still have that curiosity.

Q: Do you have any non-series projects you’re working on now?

Sean: Yes—my company, Third Culture Content, is adapting the Korean drama King the Land for the U.S. We’re excited to reimagine it for an English-language audience.

Q: Finally, is there anything you’d like to say to your fans?

Sean: I’ll never forget the early fans who supported Korean dramas before the global craze. Your passion made all of this possible. We live for the fans, and I’m deeply grateful.

With Butterfly, Sean Dulake proves that stories can cross borders just as seamlessly as he does. Rooted in gratitude for his fans and driven to tell bold, character-centered stories, he’s only getting started.

 

– Robyn Rush