Title: Capturing the Legacy of South Korea’s Haenyeo Divers: A Vanishing Tradition
Byline: Grace Ebert
Photography by Hyung S. Kim
August 5, 2024
In the coastal waters of Jeju Island, off the southern tip of South Korea, a remarkable group of women continue a tradition that dates back centuries. Known as haenyeo, or ocean women, these divers have spent their lives harvesting the bounty of the sea, a profession that once thrived but is now facing extinction.
Seoul-based photographer Hyung S. Kim has embarked on a mission to document these women, capturing their essence and the fading art of their trade. Over the course of two years, between 2012 and 2014, Kim visited Jeju Island to immerse himself in the divers’ world, resulting in a series of life-size portraits that are both a testament to their resilience and a stark reminder of a dying practice.
The haenyeo dive without the aid of oxygen tanks, holding their breath for up to three minutes at a time. This demanding work has seen many of them pass the age of 60; the youngest diver Kim photographed was 38, while the oldest was over 90. There is a strong possibility that this generation may be the last to carry on this tradition.
In Kim’s evocative photographs, the haenyeo are depicted just after emerging from the water, their mud-caked shoes and wet, gleaming gear standing out against a stark white backdrop. The equipment they carry is as integral to their identity as their潜水 skills; a tewak, the orange sphere that floats at the surface during their dives, and lead weights that aid in their descent.
The photographer was deeply impressed by the strength and power of these women, even as they age. They might be the last generation of haenyeo, and I wanted to document the beauty of these women, Kim shared with Nautilus.
The cultural significance of the haenyeo has not gone unnoticed. In 2016, they were added to the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Their numbers have dwindled from approximately 20,000 in the 1960s to just 2,500 today. What began as a male-dominated profession evolved to reflect the semi-matriarchal society of Jeju, and it continues to be led by women.
Kim’s photographs not only preserve the story of the haenyeo but also highlight the challenges they face due to climate change and modernization. In Japan, where the profession is believed to have originated, it is also on the decline.
As the world rapidly changes, the haenyeo remain a symbol of a slower, more connected time, their salty grit a testament to the enduring human spirit. Through Kim’s lens, their legacy is brought to light, ensuring that their story will not be forgotten.
For more information and to view the full series of photographs, visit Nautilus.
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