Dexter Studios has announced its collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios to showcase cutting-edge virtual production (VP) capabilities on a global stage.
Dexter Studios (206560, “Dexter”) participated in the ICVFX segment of Butterfly, an Amazon Prime Video original series produced by Amazon MGM Studios. ICVFX (In-Camera Visual Effects) is an advanced virtual production technique that synchronizes real-time rendered backgrounds with dynamic camera movements, seamlessly integrating LED-displayed virtual environments with live-action performances. Dexter is the only studio in Korea to have contributed ICVFX technology to a Hollywood production.
Based on the graphic novel of the same name, Butterfly stars and is executive produced by Korean-American actor Daniel Dae Kim. The series drew strong attention from both domestic and global audiences for its Korea-based filming and appearances by prominent Korean actors including Kim Ji-hoon, Kim Tae-hee, Park Hae-soo, Sung Dong-il, and Lee Il-hwa. Butterfly premiered worldwide on Amazon Prime Video on the 13th (Wednesday), streaming simultaneously in more than 200 countries, excluding Korea. In Korea, the series airs on tvN every Friday and Saturday at 10:40 p.m. starting from the 22nd (Friday), and is also available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video and TVING. In Korea, Butterfly airs on tvN every Friday and Saturday at 10:40 p.m. starting from August 22 (Fri), with streaming available on Amazon Prime Video and TVING.
During the Korea-based production of Butterfly, Dexter employed its state-of-the-art virtual production (VP) technology, achieving both a significant reduction in production time and a marked improvement in overall visual quality. Reflecting the fast-paced nature of the spy action genre, the series features numerous high-intensity car and motorcycle chase scenes, most of which were brought to life using Dexter’s advanced VP systems. Leveraging its top-tier professionals and unparalleled technical expertise, Dexter oversaw the entire process from pre-production planning and visual previsualization to filming solutions, creation of 2D plates (LED background sources), and LED stage shooting, demonstrating its differentiated capabilities throughout.
To create immersive backgrounds, Dexter used a custom-developed camera rig running 11 cameras simultaneously, capturing over 30 varieties of driving plates. In a first for Korea, the team operated three cameras concurrently within an LED stage, completing ICVFX shooting that covered nine distinct locations and six different vehicle types. In only three sessions, the company captured more than 200 high-speed chase shots that would normally require complex towing setups, drawing praise from the international production team of Butterfly.
Dexter has been at the forefront of virtual production in Korea. In 2024, the company presented its ICVFX work on The Moon, the first Korean film to adopt the technology, at SIGGRAPH, the world’s most respected computer graphics conference. The same year, Dexter oversaw the establishment of the largest VP studio in Thailand for Kantana, the country’s leading media group. This marked the first time a Korean company had provided consulting for an overseas VP studio.
In July of this year, Dexter was selected to operate the Virtual Studio at Studio Cube in Daejeon, a project supported by the Korea Creative Content Agency. Through 2026, Dexter will manage operations, facilities, and equipment, while also providing technical support and developing and managing 3D assets. The project involves multiple specialized teams at Dexter, including supervisors, production managers, stage operators, and the Virtual Art Department. Together, they will support 3D environment creation, previs, techvis, and stage operations, helping to expand the use of virtual production in Korea.
A Dexter spokesperson stated, “The Butterfly project recognized Dexter’s strength not only in technical solutions but also in planning, strategy, and resource design for ICVFX. We will continue to deliver VP projects across film, OTT, and advertising. At the same time, we are expanding into AI-powered content creation and production efficiency, building our position as the leading company in Asia for virtual production.”
