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Diving with haenyeo, the mermaids of South Korea

South Korea's extraordinary female divers

Diving with haenyeo, the mermaids of South Korea
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© Getty Images

Paul Bernhardt
30/03/2025 22:00 ‧ 1 month ago | StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE

Culture

A new documentary is highlighting the extraordinary story of the haenyeo, the female divers of South Korea who are capable of holding their breadth for several minutes while harvesting seafood off Jeju Island. Theirs is a story of hardship, strength, and exceptional physical ability made all the more fascinating by the fact that the average age of these human mermaids is 70. The film, called 'The Last of the Sea Women,' is produced by Korean-American filmmaker Sue Kim and produced by activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafazai. It offers a rare glimpse into the world of these tenacious sea women whose way of life is in danger of disappearing altogether.

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