Women quit Korea's grind for diving tradition

Gyeongsan, South Gyeongsang Province — For generations, Korean women have descended into the ocean to harvest seafood using only their hands and breath. But as South Korea's economy boomed and the nation's work culture became increasingly relentless, many haenyeo, or "sea women," found themselves drawn away from their long-standing tradition. Now, a new wave of women is returning to the waves, embracing a demanding and physically taxing way of life.

One such woman is Jin So-hee, a 33-year-old from Busan, South Korea's second-largest city. After earning qualifications in skincare and nail art and working as a nursing assistant to make ends meet, Jin felt the strain of long hours, one-day weekends, and low pay. In her early 20s, she journeyed to Geoje, a coastal town known for its haenyeo community, where she encountered women in their 70s who had devoted their lives to diving.

Intrigued by the prospect of a different kind of livelihood, Jin decided to join the ranks of haenyeo. However, the transition was far from easy. Within her first year as a haenyeo, Jin lost seven kilograms (15 pounds) and often found herself utterly exhausted, with little strength left to lift even a spoon. The intense work demands and physical toll of the profession are clear, but for Jin and others like her, the challenges are outweighed by a newfound sense of purpose and connection to a centuries-old tradition.