The Haenyeo of jeju island
“The Sea will embrace you.”
For the past 1000 years, on the remote South Korean island of Jeju, the sisterhood of Haenyeo divers have sustained themselves by hand-harvesting a variety of sea life. In a changing world where 98% of the divers are now over 50 years old, a mother and daughter attempt to restore their relationship while preserving their heritage.
The Haenyeo of Jeju Island is a short documentary film produced by Voice for Nature in collaboration with Long Beach Film Company. It is part of the Human x Nature Project.
Featuring Sookhee Park and Jin Goryeo.
OFFICIAL SELECTION
SPECIAL SELECTION
The Haenyeo of Jeju Island screened as part of the Design Museum’s Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style in London, from 28 Mar – 17 Aug 2025.
This was a major exhibition celebrating our enduring love of the water over the last 100 years. The exhibition explores the full spectrum of the design of swimming — from sports performance and fashion, to architecture.
A New Climate.
An event by The New York Times, screening The Haenyeo of Jeju Island in Busan, South Korea.
PRODUCERS + PRODUCTION TEAM
Director: Vern Moen
Producer: David de Rothschild
Co-Producers: Vern Moen and Katie McLaurin
Cinematographer: Vern Moen
Camera operator: Martin Vielma
Additional camera operator: David de Rothschild
Sound recordist: Martin Vielma and Jurgen Kaiser
Project manager: Jurgen Kaiser
Story producer: Costanza Burstin
Fixer: Mimi Lee / Need a Fixer
Local guide: Mr.D
Documentary portraits: Martin Vielma
POST PRODUCTION TEAM
Post producer: Martin Vielma
Editor: Vern Moen
Assistant editor: Joshua Jones
Composer: Joel Shearer
Colourist: Graham Lovelis
Art director: Jess Leitmanis
Finishing: Joshua Jones
Sound design: Joel Shearer
FEATURING
Sookhee Park
Jin Goryeo
The Haenyeo divers of Jeju
ORGANISATIONS + BUSINESSES
Long Beach Film Company
Need a Fixer
Hyundai
PRODUCTION PARTNERS
