CinemaOSMovie · 2016 · 1h 17m

Breathing Underwater

70%(1)IMDbDocumentary

In Jeju Province, located off the southern coast of Korea, are the women of the sea, those who hold breath for life. These women still exist and they still dive the old way, without tanks. They go into the waters of 10- to 20-meter depth to harvest seaweed and shellfish to make a living. They make a living in the same sea, but each haenyeo’s sea of life is different. The community is divided into three tiers- Group A, B and C, based on skills and capabilities. One’s rank is determined by sum or breath. Sum, is pre-determined at birth. Therefore, sum is desired. However, the ocean is harsh. May you desire! But seek what is not yours, the ocean will devour you. Life, for these women of the sea, is about holding one’s breath, and containing and controlling one’s desire. The film is a six year record of the lives of the haenyeos in Udo, an islet in the province of Jeju, known to be the birthplace of haenyeo. It is a close look into the lives that stand on the boundary of life and death.

Directed byKoh Hee-young

Play
Status
Released
Runtime
1h 17m
Language
KO
Released
September 29, 2016
Studios
Jinjin Pictures

Featuring

Cast & crew

1 credited
Starring
Koh Hee-young

Koh Hee-young

Narrator

Creative team
Directed by
Koh Hee-young
Koh Hee-young
Produced by
Gary Byung-seok Kam
Gary Byung-seok Kam

Keep watching

More like this

The Last of the Sea Women7.1

The Last of the Sea Women

2024 · Film

Jeju Prayer

Jeju Prayer

2013 · Film

Diving Women of Jeju-do

Diving Women of Jeju-do

2007 · Film

The Birth of Korea 2: Freedom Fighter

The Birth of Korea 2: Freedom Fighter

2025 · Film

Vote Young Ones

Vote Young Ones

2021 · Film

Yeoyu and Seolbin - [Comedy]

Yeoyu and Seolbin - [Comedy]

2025 · Film

Gureombi, The Wind is Blowing

Gureombi, The Wind is Blowing

2013 · Film

Map without Island

Map without Island

2021 · Film

Weeds

Weeds

Film

Daughter of the Sea

Daughter of the Sea

2023 · Film

Burial Of This Order

Burial Of This Order

2023 · Film

The Ghosts of Jeju

The Ghosts of Jeju

2013 · Film

The Time of Jeju

The Time of Jeju

2025 · Film

Lessons from Jeju

Lessons from Jeju

2020 · Film

Picked for you

Recommended movies

Heart of a Dog6.5

Heart of a Dog

2015 · Film

BTS World Tour: Love Yourself in Seoul8.2

BTS World Tour: Love Yourself in Seoul

2019 · Film

Under the Sea 3D7.0

Under the Sea 3D

2009 · Film

Deepsea Challenge 3D6.6

Deepsea Challenge 3D

2014 · Film

Burn the Stage: The Movie8.3

Burn the Stage: The Movie

2018 · Film

Bring the Soul: The Movie8.3

Bring the Soul: The Movie

2019 · Film

The Deepest Breath7.6

The Deepest Breath

2023 · Film

Cameraperson6.7

Cameraperson

2016 · Film

I Am Heath Ledger7.4

I Am Heath Ledger

2017 · Film

The Mole: Undercover in North Korea7.1

The Mole: Undercover in North Korea

2020 · Film

The Captains6.4

The Captains

2011 · Film

Deep Sea 3D6.6

Deep Sea 3D

2006 · Film

Love, Marilyn6.5

Love, Marilyn

2013 · Film

Being James Bond7.8

Being James Bond

2021 · Film

Powaqqatsi7.2

Powaqqatsi

1988 · Film

Meeting Gorbachev6.6

Meeting Gorbachev

2019 · Film

That's Entertainment!7.4

That's Entertainment!

1974 · Film

Our Planet: Behind the Scenes7.7

Our Planet: Behind the Scenes

2019 · Film

Deep Blue6.9

Deep Blue

2003 · Film

Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey7.3

Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey

2000 · Film