Hung S. Kim's photography series: Haenyeo: Sea women from their site: "Haenyeo—or translated literally as “sea women(海女)”—refers to female divers from South Korea and their culture. They can be found on all coasts of Southern provinces, even though most of them reside in Jeju Island. Haenyeo dives to harvest various kinds of seafood such as abalone, clam, conch, and octopus. In coastal regions, where land crops are scarce, and men are often away for trades, haenyeo tradition has been an essential means to support the family. Haenyeo’s long matriarchal lineage extends to at least a thousand years ago, according to written records.
Haenyeo are known for their exceptional ability to dive a long time without any breathing apparatus. Haenyeo dives about five to seven hours a day, holding their breath up to three minutes. The fact that their major diving season is in the winter doesn’t help this risky task. In fact, many haenyeo lose their lives in the ocean. Their tenacious refusal to modern gear comes from a belief that taking only what the ocean allows is the right way of fishing. For haenyeo, the ocean is a respectable yet comforting entity like a mother; they provide an abundance of resources as well as its thalassic embrace.
Their matriarchal ethics and sustainable fishing practice have been widely recognized as a notable example of eco-feminism. Honoring the importance of this tradition, haenyeo has been recognized as a Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016.
Hyung S. Kim & Haenyeo.
Hyung S. Kim (김형선; Hyung Sun Kim) has been photographing around three hundred haenyeo since 2012. He photographs haenyeo right after their prolonged diving. The haenyeo in his photographs stand in front of the white drop cloth wet and tired, which allows Kim to capture their most genuine state. Despite their age—ranging from their sixties to even eighties—the haenyeo appear firm and proud in their handmade diving garments. Kim’s work pays tribute to the strength of the haenyeo and all maternal figures who have sacrificed their youth and its beauty to support their children."