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Malala Yousafzai’s ‘The Last of the Sea Women’ Dives Into the Lives of Korea’s Real-Life Mermaids

The documentary “The Last of the Sea Women,” debuted on Friday on Apple TV+.

In her first executive-produced film, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai takes viewers on a captivating journey beneath the waves of Jeju Island in The Last of the Sea Women.

The documentary explores the lives of Korea’s “haenyeo” — elderly women divers who have spent decades harvesting marine life without modern diving equipment. As these women face mounting challenges, they remain determined to protect their craft and way of life.

The haenyeo, often called “real-life mermaids,” are living legends of Jeju Island, continuing a centuries-old tradition of deep-sea diving. The documentary highlights their courageous efforts to safeguard their livelihood from environmental and economic pressures. Most are now in their 60s, 70s, and 80s and living on Jeju Island, 80 miles off the Korean Peninsula. 

Haenyeo divers of South Korea’s Jeju Island in “The Last of the Sea Women.”Hasisi Park / Apple TV+

As Malala Yousafzai brings global attention to their story, audiences witness a blend of stunning underwater cinematography and moving testimonials.

The haenyeo dive into deep, dark waters to harvest abalone, sea urchins, and other marine life without the use of oxygen tanks or professional diving gear, relying instead on simple tools like nets and hoes. In the 1960s, their numbers were in the 30,000s, but despite being recognized on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, only about 3,200 remain today.

This film is not only a tribute to the resilience of these women but also a powerful commentary on cultural preservation in the face of modernization.

For those unserved, a recent Korean drama series also includes characters representing the haenyeo in Welcome to Samdal-ri.

The mothers of the main lead were part of the Haenuyeo, giving insights into their difficult lives. 

 

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