We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bella (Eunseo) So. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bella (Eunseo) below.
Hi Bella (Eunseo), so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?
I think I developed my ability to take risks through my mindset. By nature, I tend to feel more anxious staying in the same environment for too long than stepping into the unknown. If I don’t regularly challenge myself—whether in my career or personal life—I start to question whether I’m actually making progress. Doing the same things over and over gives me the feeling that my development is stagnating.
To work through that, I started taking on small challenges to build confidence. For quite some time now, I’ve tried to push myself toward new and unfamiliar experiences. For example, when I was working in Korea for a couple of years, I eventually felt that I wanted to deepen my skills in Foley recording in a broader, more diverse environment. Even though it meant leaving a stable job and familiar surroundings, I decided to take the risk and move to the U.S. That decision has given me the opportunity to learn from a wider range of professionals and grow in ways I couldn’t have imagained before.
Taking risks is still scary sometimes, but I’ve come to trust that it’s also what helps me grow—both personally and professionally. That belief, and the mindset behind it, is what’s really helped me build my ability to take risks over time.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I work as a Foley mixer and editor based in New York.
Sound in film and television is made up of many different parts, and Foley focuses on recording everyday, human-made sounds—like footsteps, the rustle of clothing, a kiss, or the sound of writing—to match the actions we see on screen. Sometimes the production audio isn’t usable, or the producers want something more specific or expressive, so we recreate those details in the studio using various props and techniques. I then edit and shape those sounds so they blend naturally into the final soundscape of the film or TV show.
What I find fascinating about this work is how something so subtle can dramatically enhance the emotional tone and realism of a scene. Foley is especially unique because it’s both highly technical and deeply creative. As a Foley mixer and editor, I’m not only responsible for capturing clean and natural sound, but also for making sure it feels emotionally right for the story. I have to consider the character’s emotions, the physical space in the scene, sync, and texture. Since every film tells a different story, no two days ever feel the same—and that’s something I really love about this work.
Recently, I worked on a film in a genre I don’t usually watch or work on. It involved many unfamiliar sounds I had to figure out—some I had to research or reference from real-world sources. I collaborated closely with the Foley artist, and even searched for specific object sounds to understand what they should actually sound like. That experience reminded me how much more there is to learn in this craft, and how exciting that learning process can be.
The ultimate goal for our Foley team is to create sound so natural and well-integrated that the audience doesn’t even realize it was created later. But if there’s one thing I’d love people to know, it’s that even the smallest sounds—like sipping water, putting a hand in a pocket, or brushing back hair—are filled with thoughful intention and detail. Even though our work happens behind the scenes, I truly believe it plays a key role in making stories not just seen, but felt.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I think three things that have really shaped my journey so far are curiosity, my habit of taking notes, and having a strong eye (or ear) for detail.
First, I’ve always been a curious person—I ask a lot of questions. When I don’t know something, I’ll look it up. And if I still can’t find the answer, I’ll ask someone who might know. I like learning by doing, so once something catches my interest, I usually have to try it out myself. Even if it’s not directly related to my job, I tend to dive in anyway just because I want to understand it. I guess part of that comes from ambition, but I just believe that knowing more opens more doors. That mindset has helped me grow into someone who not only does Foley mixing and editing, but also understands the software, gear, and technical tools that come with it.
That connects with the second habit—note-taking. I’ve learned over the years that if I don’t write things down, I’ll forget them. So I’m always carrying something with me, whether it’s my phone, iPad, or just a notebook and pen. I take notes on what I learn, what I notice, and even little things like people’s habits or preferences. It might seem small, but those notes have saved me so many times. For example, there were a few sessions where no one was around to explain how to record something—but I had written it all down earlier, so I could figure it out and get the job done. It’s just a small habit, but it makes a big difference.
And lastly, I’d say my attention to detail—maybe even a little obsessive at times—has become one of my strongest traits since working in Foley. Foley is all about the small stuff. You have to know exactly what kind of shoes a character is wearing, what kind of surface they’re walking on, how the bag they’re carrying might sound depending on its material or shape. The tiniest elements can completely change the feel of a sound. I’ve gotten used to paying attention to those things, even when I’m just watching a movie. I’ll find myself wondering, “How would I recreate that sound?” That mindset helps me not just technically, but creatively too.
No matter what field you’re in, there will be moments early on when you’re asked to do something and you think, “Why am I even doing this?”
Sometimes the task doesn’t seem directly related to your role, or it takes up way more time and energy than you expected. I’ve been in that situation so many times. But I can honestly say—I always chose to work harder for that, even if it felt like no one was watching.
And what I’ve learned is that people do notice. That attitude not only earned me trust, but it also opened doors to jobs I actually love, at places I really wanted to work now.
So if you’re ever unsure, my advice is: give even more. Learn more, do more, try harder. That effort will come back to you in ways you might not expect—but it always does.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
Our company recently moved to a new studio, and while it’s exciting, it’s also been a big adjustment. I had never recorded in this studio before, and the new studio didn’t come with many of the props and tools we typically used. So we’ve been slowly bringing in what we can from the preivous studio, setting things up from scratch, and getting reorganized as we go.
It’s been a bit overwhelming, honestly—especially with new people, new equipment, and a Foley stage and control(recording) room that I’m still getting to know. There’s a lot I need to learn quickly: the way the room sounds, how the gear behaves, how to get the best results with unfamiliar tools. But at the same time, I find this process exciting. I know that working through all these changes is going to sharpen my skills and make me more confident and capable in the long run.
Another challenge I’ve been thinking about lately is the rise of AI in our industry. It’s starting to impact on our industry faster than I expected. But I also remind myself that change has always been part of this field—just like the shift from analog to digital, or from black-and-white films to color. And still, people in this industry have always found ways to adapt and move forward. Thus, I’ve been reflecting on how I can adapt and grow within that change, rather than resist it. For me, it’s about continuing to do the work I love while also staying curious, open-minded, and ready to evolve.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eunsoso_?igsh=MWhuZW5tZmJpMTZ5cw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bella-so-655085226?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Other: IMDB:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13695331/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAacOPUNOCzaw2GJzTZjnXDDYxINUYU_hyxGpOzVr6dSLsHLURnkyak3HNopkrQ_aem_I5PWePUIwLKfjwbyWTKV4g
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