Page 58 - Ocean Programming 2025
P. 58
PEOPLE & CULTURE
last mermaids, the
Mother to daughter, generation after generation, for over 2000 years, the
women of Jeju Island off South Korea have worked as Haenyos, or sea divers.
We follow these women, aged between 45-85, as they dive deep into the
ocean, with only lead belts and a sharp knife, skilfully picking abalone and
octopus.
At 83 years old, Ok-sun Hyun is the best diver in Jeju island. For 65 years, she has
hung between life and death as a shell-diver. This is primitive, painful, lonely
work, rife with danger. But the women are steadfast, comical, and spiritual. This Definition Episodes
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remarkable, unique, programme follows the woman in the sea and at home, Producer YOP
and they chase the shells, and hope the tides are kind. They are remarkable, Arirang TV 2011
proud, and brave. But is this an occupation from a previous generation? Will it
survive to another age, or are these truly the last mermaids?
