EUNOIA SONDERS TALKS FERAL
"I think I’ve always been drawn to the arts"
Daniel John
With creativity reaching into different fields, how early on were you already drawn to the arts?
I think I’ve always been drawn to the arts. Whether through admiration or active involvement. When I was younger, I loved anything expressive, singing, dancing, performing for fun. My first real step into it was through choir, which introduced me to the feeling of connecting with people through sound and emotion. That love for expression naturally carried over into dance, which soon became one of the biggest parts of my life. As I grew older, my curiosity for performance kept expanding. I explored theater during school, and later, modeling became another creative outlet as a space where I could express stories without words. That experience eventually led me into acting, where all those earlier forms of art such as movement, music, and emotion started to come together. My mom used to model for a time too so I think that connection to creativity and expression was always quietly woven into my path from the beginning.
Not only crossing different creative outlets but also different places in which you pursue them, how do you find creative life different between Seoul and Los Angeles?
It really does feel like two different worlds. In Seoul, everything tends to run in a very professional and straightforward way. There’s a certain structure and efficiency to how things are done, and I have learned to really appreciate that! In Los Angeles, on the other hand, there’s this incredible sense of freedom and raw passion that fuels creativity. I miss that constant spark of opportunity, and the way people there often create purely out of love for it. At the same time, I have also experienced moments in LA where that freedom could turn into disorganization or lack of follow-through. So, in a way, both places balance each other out. I think Seoul could benefit from a little more of that spontaneous passion, and LA could learn from Seoul’s professionalism and precision. Each city has its own rhythm, and moving between them has taught me how to find my own balance somewhere in between.
What do you think is most important in navigating life the way you do and staying resilient through difficult times. Is it mainly just about adaptability?
Funny enough, new things and change are often really hard for me but I still consider myself a very adaptable person. I think a better way to put it is that, even if I don’t like change, I’ve become skilled at handling it. That said, I’ve always been careful not to confuse adaptability with losing yourself and I strongly believe you can navigate life’s challenges while staying very true to who you are. When things get rough, I find it essential to lean even more into my passions and to surround myself with loved ones who remind me of what really matters. Those connections and creative outlets keep me grounded and resilient. No matter what comes my way.
Indie-films rarely allow a lot of time for preparation. Did you have the opportunity to ready yourself before throwing yourself into this role and matter?
I've always loved thinking about how I ended up with this specific role. I originally auditioned for a much smaller part in the film, and then I was asked to re-audition for Billie. I was thrilled, to say the least, but also completely shell-shocked and unprepared. I had never done something so big before, and I hadn’t developed personal methods for approaching a role like this yet, plus, the long lines were completely new to me. There wasn’t much time to prepare, but thanks to the incredible patience of the filming team and the other actors, as well as the connection I felt to the character, in various ways, I was able to bring Billie to life in a way I am proud of. I hope that both the team and audiences can feel that effort and care in the performance.
Billie might seem like a lost soul but she is more in control than she first would appear?
I feel that Billie, though an extreme interpretation, is a character we all carry at some point in our lives, and maybe even more than once. Human nature is often two-sided, and everyone has their own battles, fears, or darker sides. Keeping that in mind helped me approach the role. When I play a character, I try to imagine them as a real person. Both as if I truly were them and as if I actually knew them. That way I can bring depth and authenticity to their choices, their hidden sides, and the ways they show control even when it doesn’t seem obvious on the surface.
Are there any particular inspiration that has meant a lot for your love of storytelling and that you can see your own trajectory in?
People often expect you to point to a specific person, a film or work of art as inspiration but for me, it has always been myself and my own experiences. I originally got into the arts as a way to escape reality. Almost as a method of coping or venting. For a long time, I couldn’t even imagine it as a career because it felt too personal. But sharing that part of myself through creative work has taught me more about who I am than I could have otherwise known. Every experience I go through in life continues to inspire me and shapes the way I tell stories, so my own journey has become both my canvas and my guide.
Are you confident that what’s meant to happen will, or do you feel you need to actively make it happen?
I think it really depends on the context. In terms of my career and the industry, opportunities might sometimes present themselves, but, I believe you have to push through barriers yourself and pursue what you want with everything you have. This field is competitive, and passion is essential to make things happen. When it comes to life more broadly I think it's a bit more balanced. There have been things I wanted deeply that I couldn’t achieve until I actually let go of the pursuit, and sometimes that’s when they come naturally. It’s a delicate balance between effort and patience. And learning when to push and when to release has been a big part of my journey.
