Jeju Haenyeo

JEJU HAENYEO is an ongoing documentary project that aims to capture the last generation of Haenyeo – women divers who have been an integral part of Jeju Island's culture and tradition for centuries.

My fascination with Haenyeo (Korean female divers, literally translated to sea women) began when I was a pre-teen during my first trip to Jeju island. I vividly remember seeing an elderly woman with a hunched back and bowed legs swimming effortlessly into the deep blue ocean without any breathing equipment. It was like watching a mermaid come to life in front of my eyes. The ancient breathing technique known as Sumbi sori, used by Haenyeo to sustain immense pressure up to 20 meters below the sea, sounded like the song of whales. Their strength and resilience left a lasting impression on me as a young girl growing up in a culture that often diminished femininity. To me, the Haenyeo represented a celebration of womanhood.

A few years ago, I finally had the opportunity to capture the spirit of the Haenyeo through my lens. I followed one of the Haenyeo tribes, composed of approximately 12-15 women divers in Aewol, a small town on Jeju Island, documenting their daily lives. Most of the Haenyeo were over 60 years old, with the youngest being in her mid-50s and the oldest in her mid-80s. Some had limited vision or hearing, and many lived with chronic headaches from years of diving in the deep ocean, requiring medication before each dive. Before heading out to the sea, they had to patch the worn-out gaps in their old wetsuits with rubber glue.

Each morning, if the weather was suitable, the Haenyeo would gather at their rest area, looking out to the ocean to see if it was calm enough for diving. Sometimes, they would wait for hours until the water was still. When the sea appeared peaceful, they would quickly make their way to the edge of the ocean. As soon as they put on their wetsuits and carried their nets and tewaks (round flotation devices), their spirits would come alive. With a spring in their step and smiles on their faces, they looked like Marvel heroes in their special suits. They effortlessly made their way across the rough rocks, a task I struggled to keep up with despite being in my 30s. As soon as they reached the edge of the ocean, they magically transformed into mermaids, diving into the deep waters. For 2-3 hours, they would work tirelessly, diving down to the ocean floor for 2-3 minutes at a time, then resurfacing for air. The whistle-like sound of Sumbi sori filled the air - a sound that represented both joy and suffering.

Haenyeo never worked alone, always working together as a group, as the ocean could be unforgiving and take a life. They had to be humble in their catch of the day and avoid greed, as it could put their entire tribe in danger. Despite the demanding environment, the Haenyeo carried themselves with dignity and innocence in their eyes. Perhaps it was due to their strong connection with the earth or their sisterhood bond - their spirit was truly beautiful.

However, the Haenyeo culture is now in jeopardy due to climate change, global warming, and the rapid modernization of society. While the Haenyeo community has been working tirelessly to attract younger generations, this unique culture may disappear within a few years. As a result, my photography project serves as a documentation of perhaps the last generation of Haenyeo, capturing their sisterhood and endeavors as they try to preserve their way of life.