Netflix Incurred Significant Costs Editing Out Earphones in Beef Season 2
Netflix faced substantial post-production expenses during the creation of Beef season two, after lead actors Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan made an on-set choice that required extensive digital removal. The streaming giant reportedly spent "a fortune" to paint out earphones worn by the stars during key scenes, according to series creator Lee Sung Jin.
Creative Decision Leads to Budget Overrun
Isaac and Mulligan, who portray a couple experiencing marital disintegration after their lives intersect with a newly engaged pair played by Cailee Spaeny and Charles Melton, began using earphones to listen to music while performing. This technique was intended to enhance their emotional delivery during scenes of rage and passion throughout the eight-episode season.
Isaac initially adopted the practice for a scene featuring a Moog synthesizer, finding it so effective that he expanded it to other moments. After sharing his approach with Mulligan, she joined in, with both actors utilizing earwigs—small in-ear devices—particularly during a passionate kissing scene.
On-Set Harmony Creates Post-Production Headache
"You two were always playing songs as you performed," Sung Jin remarked on a podcast dissecting the premiere episode. The actors reported that the music perfectly synchronized with their actions, such as a beat dropping precisely at the moment of a kiss. "That was amazing because it timed out unbelievably well to the moment," Mulligan recalled. "The beat would drop on the [kiss]. We were so delighted every time."
Isaac added that the rhythm alignment was so compelling they continued the practice across multiple scenes. However, because the music could not be included in the final audio mix without disrupting dialogue, the earphones had to be digitally erased in post-production—a costly and time-consuming process.
Musical Experiments and Unsuccessful Tracks
The actors experimented with various tracks to match the tone of scenes. For a tense blackmail sequence, they listened to "really chaotic" music by Thom Yorke and Mark Pritchard, which Isaac said amplified the suspense. Not all selections proved suitable; Mulligan suggested Meat Loaf's 1993 hit "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" during takes of the blackmail scene, but it was quickly abandoned as ineffective.
Despite the editing challenges, the actors' method contributed to their performances, though it ultimately required significant financial investment from Netflix to maintain visual continuity. Beef season two is currently available for streaming on Netflix, showcasing the results of these behind-the-scenes efforts.
