{
  "id": 15548327,
  "title": "Jeju's haenyeo bring lifetime of diving stories to comedy stage",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/jejus-haenyeo-bring-lifetime-of-diving-stories-to-comedy-stage",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-19T03:12:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/arts-theater/20261019/jejus-haenyeo-bring-lifetime-of-diving-stories-to-comedy-stage"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "SEOGWIPO, Jeju Island — At a community center in Youngrak-ri, on the southern part of Jeju's city of Seogwipo, three haenyeo stood together on stage, chanting \"Dragon King!\" They took turns giving advice to a child in the audience who was hesitant about studying. This impromptu performance was part of a special event organized by the Jeju Comedy Club in collaboration with the Jeju Foundation for Arts and Culture, titled \"Utseum Geolgung: Land Folk vs. Sea Folk.\" The haenyeo, ranging from an 88-year-old veteran to younger divers, transformed into comedians for the evening, entertaining an audience of about 100 people, including locals and visitors from overseas. Hanging above the stage was a large photograph of the village's bulteok, a rocky seaside spot where haenyeo, Jeju's women divers, traditionally gathered to warm up and rest after their long day's work. The inspiration for this comedy show came from haenyeo Choi Jung-yoon, a former standup comedian and one of the haenyeo featured on stage.",
  "summary": "SEOGWIPO, Jeju Island — “Dragon King!” chanted three haenyeo standing shoulder to shoulder on stage, with long ceremonial sleeves dangling from their arms. Their mission: to advise a child in the audience who did not want to study. Taking turns, they pieced together an impromptu answer as laughter filled the community center in Youngrak-ri, part of Jeju's southern city of Seogwipo on Oct. 14.…",
  "key_points": [
    "Three haenyeo performed comedy at Jeju event.",
    "Haenyeo ranged from 88-year-old to younger divers.",
    "Show inspired by haenyeo Choi Jung-yoon."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Integrating traditional maritime culture into local comedy performances offers Jeju’s legendary female divers a new platform to preserve their heritage through storytelling and community engagement.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Jeju's haenyeo bring lifetime of diving stories to comedy stage",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/jejus-haenyeo-bring-lifetime-of-diving-stories-to-comedy-stage-15551574",
        "published": "2026-10-19T03:42:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}