Learn the ways of the haenyeo with Song Ji-hyo in BBC Earth’s ‘Deep Dive Korea’

In the east of Jeju Island lies a quaint coastal village called Hado-ri. It’s a quiet and idyllic spot where one can breathe in the salty air and indulge in fresh seafood. But beneath its tranquil surface, this sleepy little town brims with a rich and storied culture. 

Hado-ri is also where the highest concentration of haenyeo live and work. Meaning “women of the sea”, these legendary figures are keepers of a 400-year-old tradition of female free divers who plunge into depths as low as 20 metres without breathing apparatus to gather shellfish. 

With techniques passed down from generation to generation, Hado-ri is where one of South Korea’s biggest television personalities, Song Ji-hyo of Running Man fame, will begin her journey of becoming a haenyeo herself, before diving in other parts of Jeju Island.

The first co-production between BBC Studios and JTBC, Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo’s Haenyeo Adventure, will follow Song as she brings the extraordinary lives of Jeju’s female free divers to the surface in three visually and emotionally driven episodes. 

Ahead, discover five reasons why you should tune in to this upcoming docu-series in May 2025.

DIVING BENEATH THE SURFACE

Haenyeo women and their enduring traditions have long been a subject of great interest. With the global success of the recent K-drama When Life Gives You Tangerines featuring these female divers, your curiosity might be piqued to learn more about these remarkable figures. 

In Deep Dive Korea, audiences will not only discover more about the traditions and culture of the haenyeo but also witness Song’s personal transformation. One of the most beloved celebrities in South Korea, Song is known as one of the members of Running Man, the country’s longest-running variety show. 

Now in her 40s, Deep Dive Korea is a story of one woman pushing herself to her physical and mental limits, much like the haenyeo who dive into treacherous waters every day. From the demanding labour to navigating the matriarchal system of the haenyeo community, Song will have to dig deep to cram more than 30 years’ worth of training into just one month. 

In our early screening of episode one, we were immediately swept away by Song’s determination to challenge herself to this gargantuan task. In a surprising piece of information, we learn that her great aunt was a haenyeo. While we’re used to her more comical side on Running Man, Song shows her iron will here as her natural competitive nature comes in to do both her family and country proud. 

“I definitely felt a lot of pressure to do this haenyeo project justice,” the actress shares with us in an exclusive sit-down interview at The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur ahead of her special screening in Aurum Theatre, TRX. “What if people look down on the haenyeo because I wasn’t able to do it right? I always reminded myself that what I show in the series is what people will learn about haenyeo, and that kept me grounded and determined.”

A DEEPLY PERSONAL ADVENTURE

It’s not often you see an A-list celebrity commit themselves to something so physically and mentally laborious as freediving like a haenyeo. But the Hallyu star has proven to be bold and brave on many occasions. For years, Song was the only female cast member on Running Man, holding her own in physical challenges within a male-dominated lineup. It’s why she has earned the nickname “Ace” in the variety show, after all.

But in one particularly relatable and vulnerable moment in episode one, Song reveals that she has hit a wall. “Now I’ve reached my 40s, I’m facing a dilemma—I’m stuck. When was the last time someone corrected me?” she questions. “Am I at an age where there is no one left to teach me, or guide me? But that doesn’t feel right. I still want to learn.”

It is this constant desire to learn and self-invent that leads Song to the greatest challenge of her life. Longing to leave her comfort zone behind and delve into uncharted territories, Deep Dive Korea will see Song exploring her own haenyeo abilities in endearing and heartfelt ways. 

Fans will surely be excited to see the actress, often around male co-stars, surround herself with other strong and courageous women in touching moments of femininity and sisterhood.

UNIQUE ACCESS TO THE SUPERHUMANS OF THE SEA

To Song and all Koreans, these haenyeo are no doubt superhumans. With only a rubber suit, goggles, and a fishing net, these incredible women, many of whom are in their 70s and 80s, risk their lives by diving to the seafloor to gather shellfish for their families, whether in the blistering summer or chilly winter. 

Their traditions, from labour songs to food customs, have created a close-knit society built on mutual support and respect—a lifestyle UNESCO has recognised as an “intangible cultural heritage of humanity”. 

It is one that is not often open to external parties, but through unique access to the haenyeo community, Deep Dive Korea will bring viewers closer than ever to these incredible divers as they talk about their trials and tribulations. 

With Song, we will follow them into their homes, revealing how they live close to nature and their complex relationship with the sea, all the while forming genuine bonds with one another.

“Training to become a haenyeo made me realise that there was an entire community here with their own rules, order, and beliefs that I wasn’t aware of before. Learning all of this was one of the greatest experiences of my life,” the actress explains to us.

“I don’t like the sea, even though I am a haenyeo,” one of them reveals in episode one. Each of them has their own history and story to tell, which makes the docu-series even more intriguing to dive into. “Through me, I wanted to show to the whole world the strength and depth of a haenyeo’s life—their joy, pain, and everything in between,” Song shares. 

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN A STUNNING NATURAL WORLD

Apart from the heartfelt moments, Deep Dive Korea also offers a visual spectacle that will transport viewers to the beauty of Jeju Island. For one month, Song will live on this volcanic island home as she submerges herself deep into the haenyeo culture, absorbing their ancient wisdom.

Boasting 368 mountains and more than 160 epic underground lava tubes, Jeju Island’s natural geology is unlike anywhere else on the planet. Throughout the docu-series, expect camera work that will immerse you in its extraordinary landscape, from the underwater world of volcanic rock walls to technicolour coral formations, teeming with bountiful sea life.

“Becoming a haenyeo means to coexist in harmony with nature,” Song states. Audiences will be able to witness the haenyeo’s symbiotic relationship with the natural world in Deep Dive Korea.

GETTING HONEST WITH THE HAENYEO

While it’s mostly light-hearted, Deep Dive Korea does not shy away from honest conversations and topics about the haenyeo community that must be addressed. As Song slowly gains the trust of the haenyeo, she and the audience will discover that climate change, overfishing, and the ageing population are threatening their unique way of life.

“While I was diving, I did see quite a lot of rubbish down there and it was really heartbreaking,” Song reveals to us. “My experience with the haenyeo has reminded me that we need to protect our seas first if we want to protect the haenyeo culture.”

Furthermore, at the heart of the haenyeo community lies generational tensions that make the divers much more guarded and hesitant to accept new recruits: as younger women are physically stronger and could outpace the older divers, this could reduce the seafood available under their strict sustainable harvesting rules.

Our favourite parts of the show are seeing how Song and the older haenyeo interact with each other. Determined to bridge the generational divide, Song’s down-to-earth charm is delightful to watch as she slowly breaks down the walls of even the most hardened haenyeo women. “I want them to know that I’m here to support and cheer for them, instead of trying to change their culture and way of life,” Song shares. We look forward to seeing how her relationship with them further blossoms. 

Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo’s Haenyeo Adventure premieres on 11 May 2025. Stream it on BBC Player via Astro and Unifi TV. Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo’s Haenyeo Adventure will also air on BBC Earth every Sunday at 9pm, via Astro (channel 554) and unifi TV (channel 501).

For more recommendations on what to watch, head here.