‘The Last of the Sea Women’ dives into the lives of haenyeo of Jeju Island
The Apple TV+ documentary spotlights the legendary South Korean sea divers and how they are protecting their legacy
Words by Daniel Anderson
In The Last of the Sea Women, filmmaker Sue Kim dives deep—literally and figuratively—into the world of the haenyeo, South Korea’s legendary sea divers who have been making waves on Jeju Island for generations. Known as real-life mermaids, these indomitable women, now mostly in their 60s, 70s, and 80s, plunge into the ocean, without oxygen tanks, to gather treasures like sea urchins, abalone, and other delicacies from the seabed. As their numbers dwindle, the film captures their determination to preserve a way of life that’s slipping through their fingers, even as they refuse to fret over the uncertain future, instead embracing their ongoing connection to Earth’s stunning waters.
Produced under Malala Yousafzai’s Extracurricular Productions, the documentary—now streaming on Apple TV+—highlights the haenyeos’ resilience against new threats, including the release of treated radioactive wastewater from Fukushima. Their protests against the potential pollution reveal a deep commitment to protecting their waters—not just for themselves, but for posterity. Kim’s storytelling showcases a community of fierce, funny, and hardworking women who band together to defend their ocean home, all while passing on their knowledge to the next generation, ensuring that the haenyeo spirit lives on.
JoySauce recently spoke with Kim and haenyeos Jang Soon Duk and Lee Hee Soo, discussing how the documentary came together and the legacy and message they hope it will leave.
This interview was conducted via translator and has been edited for length and clarity.
Daniel Anderson: Sue, I'd like to start with you. What did it mean to collaborate with Malala and the Extracurricular banner on this project? How did their support provide you with creative freedom that you might not have had on other productions?
Sue Kim: Working with Malala and the Extracurricular team was one of the greatest honors of my life. Beyond being an incredible humanitarian, Malala is a beloved figure worldwide and a beacon of empowerment for young women—and really, for women of all ages. It felt like a perfect marriage to have her come on board as a producer and collaborate with her team at Extracurricular.
One of the great benefits of working with Malala is that she commands such respect, not just among the general public but also within Hollywood and production circles. Doors opened for us simply because of our association with her. A prime example of that was being allowed to film at the UN, which is incredibly difficult to secure. We covered the Human Rights Council, a place not often accessible to filmmakers. I believe our close alignment with Malala, given her frequent contributions to the UN, made it possible for us to obtain that special permission. It truly demonstrated the influence of Malala and the benefits we gained as one of the first projects under her Extracurricular Productions banner.
DA: Can you share some of the challenges you faced in earning the trust of the haenyeo community, especially given how protective they are of their culture? What were those early conversations like?
SK: The early conversations were greatly facilitated by our wonderful producer, Taeyeon Kim, who led our research efforts. She had a background in the NGO world, which helped her connect with some of the haenyeo communities in Jeju through her contacts there. The haenyeo are rooted in small, rural fishing villages along Jeju's coastline, so these communities are quite insular and not easy to access. Taeyeon laid the groundwork, making those first introductions, and then I went down to Jeju with another producer, Sumi Kim. The three of us spent time speaking with different haenyeo communities, focusing on listening to their stories and understanding what they felt was important to share in the film. Earning their trust during filming took time, as it often does in documentary work. Most people aren’t used to being filmed as they go about their daily lives, and it's even more intrusive when there are extra people in their personal spaces. We made it clear that we didn’t want them to perform for the camera—we wanted them to be themselves and go about their routines naturally.
A challenge we faced was overcoming certain stereotypes that often appear in news pieces about the haenyeo, like portraying them as “sad grandmas” who are forced to work in their 80s. The haenyeo were very clear from the beginning that they didn’t want that narrative, and we didn't either. In reality, as shown in the film, they love their work and find peace in the ocean—it’s their connection to nature. Our goal was to capture their true essence and their beautiful relationship with the ocean, portraying them as the heroes they are, like Avengers for the environment. Once they saw that we were committed to telling their story authentically, we were able to earn their trust.
DA: Flipping the question over to Soon Duk and Hee Soon, what was your initial reaction to a film crew wanting to document your lives? Were you hesitant? Excited?
Hee Soon: When I heard about the filmmaking of the haenyeo, on one hand, I was happy because I wanted to let people know about the haenyeo. But on the other hand, I also had a worry about how they were going to portray our haenyeo, but I was happy that there would be a film about the haenyeo.
Soon Duk: When I first heard about this opportunity and met with Sue regarding filming this in our village, I was certainly very happy to hear about it. I'm very proud of how beautiful my village is along the coastline with the trees and the sea. So when I found out that this documentary may make its way to the world, I couldn't be more thrilled.
DA: One of my favorite moments in the documentary is seeing all the haenyeos come together to protest the release of Fukushima's nuclear waste. I'd love to hear from either of you—can you describe your emotions during that time? What was it like to unite with your fellow haenyeos for this cause?
HS: When I first heard the news, I was really upset because I knew the ocean would be polluted. That’s the water our children will swim in, drink from, and where our food comes from, so I was deeply worried. Pollution doesn’t happen immediately—the contaminated water wouldn’t reach Jeju Island in one or two years; it might take longer. But I kept thinking that as time goes by, the water will become more contaminated.
SD: Before we decided to film, we didn’t know much about this issue—it was something we uncovered while we were filming. When we started to protest, I was, of course, angry that this beautiful ocean, which is connected to my work and my family, was being threatened. And it wasn’t just me; other haenyeos felt the same way. The ocean is like our home. There’s a saying in Jeju: “When you visit your mom, she might not always give you money, but when you go to the ocean, it does.” In the sense that we can work every day. It brings us a sense of satisfaction. So, when I heard the news, I was stunned. In reality, there wasn’t much we could do; we could only take the news as it came. I’m still quite unhappy about it, but that’s just the way things are.
DA: Soon Duk, your journey from Jeju to the UN is quite remarkable. In the documentary, you mentioned not feeling nervous and that you simply wanted to be heard by the UN members after your speech. Did you feel heard? Were there any reactions or follow-ups from the UN members or organizations?
SD: I still remember how brief that period was, and speaking English was certainly challenging. However, I vividly recall when I mentioned Japan—the Japanese ambassador looked up and focused on me. That moment stands out clearly. After my speech, I haven’t really heard back from the UN per se. I understand the reality that not everything happens as quickly as I would like. But at the same time, I wanted the world to know that we were speaking up in solidarity, and we are still waiting to hear back.
Published on October 23, 2024
Words by Daniel Anderson
Daniel Anderson is a disabled Chinese American adoptee based in Seattle. His freelance writing specialties include K-pop, entertainment, and food. He believes that any restaurant can be a buffet, and the key to success is to take a nap each day. Follow his adventures on Instagram @danzstan.