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Young Haenyeo Use YouTube To Keep South Korea’s Sea Women Tradition Alive

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By Klein Wang/Ted Chen/Jonathan Kaplan

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In the South Korean coastal city of Geoje, two young haenyeo, or “sea women,” are using YouTube to share a centuries-old diving tradition with a modern audience. Jin So-hee and Woo Jung-min free dive without air tanks to gather seafood, a practice recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. Their channel, with nearly 50,000 subscribers, documents both the rewards and risks of the profession. While some young people are drawn by the freedom and work-life balance it offers, educators say only a handful of trainees ultimately become haenyeo, raising concerns about the tradition’s long-term future.

At a rural fishing village in Geoje, Jin So-hee and Woo Jung-min prepare for a day at sea.
They are among the younger generation to join South Korea’s haenyeo, or "sea women," who free dive -- without air tanks -- to gather food.
The pair are also savvy with social media.

WOO JUNG-MIN, HAENYEO, CONTENT CREATOR:
"When we started YouTube, it was simply to make a record for the two of us. We wanted to document the fact that there were young haenyeo, so that someday, this could become a kind of record and perhaps even an asset for future generations."

Their YouTube channel has attracted nearly 50,000 subscribers, helping to shine a spotlight on a centuries-old tradition that many fear is fading.

The pair documents their new lifestyle and why they chose it over South Korea’s intense work culture and uncertain career prospects.

JIN SO-HEE, HAENYEO, CONTENT CREATOR:
"Working in nature, without the stress of dealing with people. You earn as much as you work, and you have a certain freedom and a pretty good work-life balance. I heard the older haenyeo made pretty good money, and they don't have a mandatory retirement age. So I thought, why not give it a try?"

Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, haenyeo dive without scuba gear, helping to keep their catches sustainable.

The job is physically demanding and carries potentially fatal risks.
Jin and Woo say it shouldn’t be taken lightly.

WOO JUNG-MIN, HAENYEO, CONTENT CREATOR:
"Even the smallest mistake, even overlooking something small, can lead to an accident underwater."

Choi Young-hee became a haenyeo years ago after leaving city life.
She now runs a diving school.

CHOI YOUNG-HEE, PRINCIPAL, GEOJE HAENYEO SCHOOL:
"When I started looking at nature, I thought: This is it. Why was I working so hard and competing so fiercely in the city? And even if you work and compete that hard, you don't necessarily get rewarded for it. I started questioning that way of life."

But she says the tradition faces an uncertain future.

CHOI YOUNG-HEE, PRINCIPAL, GEOJE HAENYEO SCHOOL:
"Around 30 students come here and take classes. But each year, only about one or two students end up choosing the path of becoming haenyeo. So I find it very difficult to imagine that this tradition will continue indefinitely."

Through their videos, Woo and Jin are working to turn the tide on a profession that could otherwise disappear.

Klein Wang, Ted Chen, and Jonathan Kaplan for TaiwanPlus.