The haenyeo, South Korea's legendary female divers, are capable of holding their breath under water for several minutes while harvesting seafood off Jeju Island. Their story is one of hardship, resilience and extraordinary physical ability, made even more remarkable by the fact that the average age of these real-life sea women is around 70.
As their centuries-old tradition faces an uncertain future, the documentary 'The Last of the Sea Women' (2024) offers a rare look into their world. Directed by Korean-American filmmaker Sue Kim and produced by activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, the film explores a way of life that is at risk of disappearing.
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