How South Korea's 'real-life mermaids' made Malala want to learn to swim

Imagine if someone told you that mermaids were real. In South Korea, there are women known as haenyeo who dive into the ocean without using oxygen tanks. These remarkable women can hold their breath for several minutes and dive hundreds of times each day to gather seafood. They come from Jeju Island and have been free-diving for centuries. However, many of these women are now in their 60s, 70s, and 80s, and their traditions are at risk because fewer young women are choosing to follow in their footsteps. This situation inspired filmmaker Sue Kim and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai to create a documentary titled The Last of the Sea Women to share the haenyeo's story with the world. Sue Kim, who was born in the United States to Korean immigrant parents, first encountered the haenyeo as a child during a family vacation in South Korea. She was captivated by their boldness, energy, and confidence. They were loud, laughing, and fighting, and they filled the space around them with a vibrant energy that left a lasting impression on her. Kim explains, 'I fell in love with that entire vibe and big energy when I was a little girl. They represented a version of Korean womanhood that inspired me. ' Malala, who produced the film, was equally shocked to learn about the haenyeo, as many people are unaware of their existence. She immediately agreed to be part of the project. The haenyeo work tirelessly every day, starting their dives at 6 a. m. They can hold their breath for a couple of minutes, surfacing only to dive again, completing between 100 and 300 dives in a single session. After four hours of diving, they spend an additional three to four hours cleaning and preparing the seafood they have caught. Historically, this job was performed by men, but many men died at sea while fishing, leading women to gradually take over the role. This documentary is the first major film about the haenyeo, and Kim faced challenges in gaining access to their communities. 'The haenyeo communities are very insular,' she explains. 'They live in rural fishing villages and do not interact much with the cities of Jeju. ' To gain their trust, Kim spent two weeks with the haenyeo, listening to their stories and learning about their lives. The women expressed their concerns about feeling like they were on the verge of extinction and wanted to discuss the changes happening in the ocean that seemed to go unnoticed by others. Kim reassured them that she would not portray them as victims or pity them for working into old age. 'They love working! They feel strong and empowered by what they do,' she said. 'I promised I would show them in their true power. ' After this, they formed a close bond. The haenyeo face numerous challenges in their work. There is no insurance available for their dangerous profession, and the ocean is changing due to global warming, which is leading to a decline in marine life, especially in shallow waters. Diving deeper without oxygen is becoming increasingly difficult. Much of the film focuses on the women's protests against pollution being discharged into the ocean, which has led one of the haenyeo, Soon Deok Jang, to speak at the UN's Human Rights Council in Geneva. Experts claim that the release is safe, and it has been approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency, but not all scientists agree on its potential impact. While the haenyeo do harvest marine life, there are regulations in place to protect the ecosystem. They do not use oxygen tanks because they believe that holding their breath allows them to catch the right amount of seafood without overfishing. However, the biggest threat to the haenyeo culture may come from within, as fewer young women are choosing to pursue this challenging profession. A training school was established in the early 2000s to encourage more women to join, but only 5% of those who attend go on to become haenyeo. Despite this, there is hope. The film introduces two young women from another island who have gained a following on social media and highlight the flexible hours the job can offer around family life. One of them learned to swim at the age of 30 to take on this role. The older haenyeo meet with them for festivals and protests, referring to them as 'their babies,' while the younger women call them 'aunties' in return. Malala is inspired by the haenyeo's teamwork and believes that when girls watch this documentary, they will feel empowered and realize they can achieve anything. 'When a girl sees this documentary, I want her to believe in herself and understand that she can hold her breath for two to three minutes without oxygen,' she says. 'I still need to take swimming classes to learn how to swim! I'm starting from scratch, but this has motivated me to think about swimming. ' The Last of the Sea Women will be available on Apple TV+ starting October 11, 2024.