Latest news with #DeepDiveKorea:
The Star
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Song Ji-hyo finds life fun again after deep diving with seasoned haenyeo for BBC
At a point when South Korean actress Song Ji-hyo felt stuck in the monotony of her acting career, she was ready to try something new. That 'something new' turned out to be an immersive, month-long training with the seasoned haenyeo of Jeju Island for the three-episode BBC docuseries Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo's Haenyeo Adventure . Haenyeo, which means 'sea women' in Korean, are freedivers who do not use breathing equipment to gather shellfish for their livelihood. Song, who was in Malaysia to promote the series premiering on May 11, tells StarLifestyle via an interpreter that joining the programme was a much-needed wake-up call. The actress is happy to be in Malaysia to talk about the documentary that renewed her zest for life. Photos: Handout 'It made me more appreciative of the small things in life, not just for myself but for everyone around me. Things I used to overlook now stand out, and I've learned to value them. 'With this mindset, life feels more fun now,' says Song, who has been a regular cast member on the long-running South Korean variety show Running Man since 2010. Song Ji-hyo takes a photo with the haenyeo she trained with for one month. Her renewed zest for her work is apparent when we come face-to-face with the friendly star, who first made her film debut in Wishing Stairs (2003) and has spent over two decades navigating roles in both romantic dramas and horror thrillers. Song speaks about the documentary and the haenyeo way of life with such passion that she launches into long, enthusiastic explanations with very little prompting. This is further evident in the three episodes of Deep Dive , which show her struggling multiple times to keep up with the demanding lessons – yet throughout, Song remains determined to see it through. According to the production notes, the 43-year-old was attempting to 'cram over 30 years' worth of training into just one month'. The Unstoppable actress admits she initially underestimated the difficulty of the challenge, thinking it wouldn't be so hard given her background. After all, she grew up in the coastal city of Pohang, South Korea. Her mother was a competitive swimmer, and her eldest aunt – her mother's sister – was a haenyeo. 'To me, it wasn't something unusual ... So, I focused only on physical strength, not underwater training (before heading to Jeju Island). 'But once I started, I really regretted not having trained in the water earlier,' she says. Did she ever consider giving up? 'Instead of quitting when things got tough, I was actually harder on myself,' says Song, who first rose to fame through the popular 2006 series Princess Hours . Her other drama credits include The Witch's Diner , Emergency Couple and Lovely Horribly . 'I kept thinking, 'Why can't I do better?'' She adds that the tight timeline was especially stressful. 'I really felt the pressure. I wanted to show the world the strength, depth and emotion behind the haenyeo way of life – the joy, the pain and the resilience.' She says she felt immense pressure to ensure the international audience fully grasp the haenyeo's way of life. For Song, it wasn't just about completing a challenge. It was about honouring a legacy. 'This work is deeply connected to our national heritage. It's more than just a job; it's a way of life,' she elaborates. 'The haenyeo who are still diving today carry immense pride in what they do. They bear the responsibility of preserving this cultural legacy, and they take that role very seriously.' Despite the high-stakes training and serious atmosphere, some of the most entertaining moments in the series come from Song's efforts to win over the veteran divers – women in their 60s, 70s and even 80s – as she joins in their daily routines beyond the sea. These women, whom the affable star still keeps in touch with and visits whenever she returns to the island, have become more than just acquaintances. 'I didn't expect to bond so well with the older women,' Song tells StarLifestyle , reflecting on what she learned about herself while filming the documentary. 'And I found out I'm more patient than I thought. I grew a lot as a person through this experience. I got to know the better side of me.' Song Ji-hyo speaks about her experience after an exclusive screening of the documentary's first episode. That personal growth has clearly stayed with her. During a Q&A with fans after an exclusive screening of the first episode in Kuala Lumpur, Song was asked what advice she'd give to someone taking on a new challenge. She answers: 'I would say, don't hesitate. Regret comes after trying, and it's better to regret after trying something than to regret not trying at all. 'You have to start somewhere, and if you're too scared to begin, then you're holding yourself back. Regret is much bigger when you don't try. 'So, my advice would be: have the confidence to try what you want to try. Don't be afraid. 'And if it doesn't turn out to be the right path for you, you can always change your mind.' K-drama 'Princess Hours' featuring Yoon Eun-hye, Kim Jung-hoon, Song Ji-hyo and Ju Ji-hoon. Thanks to this unique undertaking, Song says she now carries many unforgettable memories – like witnessing dolphins in the wild and discovering how sea creatures follow their own set of rules, ones that haenyeo have learned to live in harmony with. 'When I arrived in Jeju, I saw dolphins swimming freely in the ocean. And then, on my last day on the island, they appeared again – as if they were saying goodbye. It was such an unforgettable moment,' she shares. Participating in this documentary was also a humbling experience for Song, particularly when she began to understand the physical challenges of diving. 'The deeper you go, the more intense the water pressure becomes,' she explains. 'At 10m deep, the pressure feels like it's trying to flatten you into a sheet of paper. 'That's when I truly understood: you don't conquer the sea. You respect it. Nature has to allow you in. 'Some haenyeo can dive more than 20m deep, but only because the ocean accepts them. 'That taught me a deeper kind of reverence – for nature, for the sea and for the strength of these women.' She recalls one particular dive using an oxygen tank to reach about 10m. 'What I saw down there felt like entering a whole new world. The fish had their own community, with unspoken rules and boundaries. 'They didn't trespass into each other's space – everything was in order, like a peaceful, underwater society.' Her experience also deepened her environmental awareness. 'I have come to appreciate sea creatures during my time training to be a haenyeo. 'That's when I felt that, as humans, we definitely have to protect the sea and not invade it. 'It was heartbreaking to see a lot of trash underwater when I was diving ... it's not too late for us to start protecting our oceans.' Running Man members (from left) Lee Kwang-soo, Ji Suk-jin, Song Ji-hyo, Kim Jong-kook and HaHa entertained an ecstatic crowd at Stadium Negara in 2014. Photo: CHAN HOW BAN/The Star Filming Deep Dive has even given her the confidence to continue freediving – not just in Jeju, but in other parts of the world as well. She says she was recently recommended to try it in Kota Kinabalu. 'Now I am determined to visit one day,' says Song, who has often expressed her affection for Malaysia and her massive Malaysian fanbase. 'I look forward to deep diving in Kota Kinabalu, exploring the sea creatures, and learning as much as I can.' Just like the 'superhumans' she trained with, Song says she hopes to keep working for as long as possible in the entertainment industry. 'As long as I maintain my physical strength and accept the changes that come with ageing, I believe I can keep going. I may not always be at my best, but I'm OK with that. 'What matters most is accepting who I am at every stage and staying true to myself. 'As long as I keep enjoying what I do and don't lose interest, I'll continue to pursue it. I'll still be here for another 20 years.' Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo's Haenyeo Adventure premieres May 11 at 9pm on BBC Earth (Unifi TV Ch 501/Astro Ch 554) and BBC Player.
AsiaOne
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
Gossip Mill: Fan who kissed BTS' Jin surrenders, Song Ji-hyo trains as a haenyeo, Chris Wang wipes social media after alleged divorce
The Japanese fan who forcibly kiss BTS's Jin during a fan-hugging event in 2024 has surrendered herself to South Korea police. According to local media reports on Thursday (May 8), police said that the woman, who is in her 50s, was to be prosecuted over sexual crime charges. Last June, Jin appeared in his first public event in Seoul where he hugged 1,000 fans, after being discharged from military service. When it came to the woman's turn, besides hugging the 32-year-old K-pop star, she also kissed him, to which he responded by turning away. South Korean media reported that the woman wrote in her blog later: "My lips touched his neck. His skin was extremely soft." Her actions angered fans and one of them filed a police report. In February, South Korean police summoned the woman, who was in Japan, for questioning on charges of sexual harassment. However, she did not co-operate, leading to a suspension of the investigation. According to South Korean law, a person convicted of sexual harassment in a crowded public space may face imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won (S$27,774). Song Ji-hyo trains as a haenyeo Song Ji-hyo was once hailed the "Queen of the Sea" by Running Man members and this time, she has set herself her new challenge — training as a haenyeo (a group of female divers on Jeju island). The 43-year-old South Korea actress was in Kuala Lumpur recently, where she promoted her first documentary series, BBC Earth's Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji Hyo's Haenyeo Adventure. Ji-hyo shared that her mother was a competitive swimmer and her eldest aunt was a haenyeo. She wanted to present the strength and depth of haenyeos' lives to the viewers, according to CNA Lifestyle. "Unlike other projects, I never wanted to look pretty doing this. All I wanted to show was my determination and the effort I was putting in," she said. Ji-hyo went on an intensive one-month training with the women and even caught hypothermia at one point. Despite that, she remained determined to continue. She shared that the training had strengthened her mentally and she remained in contact with the haenyeos , visiting them when she was in Jeju. She even kept a set of tools from her training. Ji-hyo added: "I am more confident in taking on more physically challenging projects in the future. I enjoyed watching myself being upgraded and developed through this challenge. It was a good refresh for myself." Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji Hyo's Haenyeo Adventure premieres on May 11. Chris Wang deletes all social media accounts after alleged divorce Taiwanese actor Chris Wang, who was sentenced to eight months' jail in 2024 for sexual assault, has allegedly divorce his wife and manager Lin Yixian after a decade of marriage. According to Taiwanese media reports on Wednesday (May 7), an anonymous whistleblower alleged that while handling some matters for the 42-year-old, they'd noticed that the section in his identification document for spousal details had been left blank. They also claimed that the house in which Chris stayed with Yixian and their two children — a daughter and a son — was vacated. After the divorce allegations broke, Chris appeared to have shut down his social media accounts, including those on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. The actor was the first Taiwanese celebrity to be sentenced after being caught in Taiwan's #MeToo wave, which started in 2023. Investigations revealed that in 2016, he gave a female colleague a ride home and asked to use her bathroom. He then straddled her lap and held down her hands before molesting her and only stopped after she resisted and fought back. On April 7, he announced his return to showbiz via social media but received backlash from netizens and Taiwanese artistes. He cancelled his comeback and apologised on April 12, stating: "My appearance has once again aroused the anger and discomfort of many people. These emotions are real, and I have no intention of escaping the negative impact that I underestimated my appearance would bring." Chris added that he would not appear publicly with his name anymore and would spend the rest of his life repairing the hurt he had caused. [[nid:717794]]
CNA
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
How Running Man's Song Ji-hyo dove into her toughest challenge – training as a haenyeo for a month
For over a decade, fans have watched Song Ji-hyo brave countless heart-stopping adventures, from leaping off three-storey high buildings to cordless bungee jumping to taking on the world's largest swing on the hit variety show Running Man. Now, they are set to watch her take on new depths – literally – as a haenyeo (female Korean free diver) in training. In Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo's Haenyeo Adventure, a new three-part BBC Earth documentary that premieres on Sunday (May 11), the 42-year-old actress sets aside flashy stunts and celebrity polish for a far more sobering role: That of an apprentice to Jeju's iconic sea women. Across one gruelling month, Song embarked on intensive training to join the ranks of the haenyeos – women who free-dive without oxygen tanks to collect seafood for a living, at depths of up to 20 metres. During a recent trip to Kuala Lumpur to promote the show, she shared what it was like to cram training that typically takes decades into 30 days and what she hopes viewers will take away from her experience. PERSONAL MISSION FOR A VANISHING HERITAGE For Song, whose mother was a competitive swimmer and whose eldest aunt was a haenyeo, the decision to take on the challenge was personal and purposeful. 'For me, haenyeo was nothing very special or new at first,' she shared candidly. 'But I wanted to let the whole world know the strength and the depth of haenyeos' lives.' While the documentary could easily be a vanity project spotlighting her bravery and bravado, she saw it as a way to raise awareness about an under-represented community. 'Initially, the reason why I really wanted to do this was because I wanted to show the professional side of being a haenyeo,' she said. 'But then I realised there isn't really much focus on how hard they work to become haenyeos, so I wanted the show to emphasise more on the progression and effort they put in throughout their lives to become who they are.' Through the show, she also hopes to showcase facets of these women's lives beyond their unique career path. 'They work as haenyeos in the morning, then they work in the farms in the afternoon, and take care of their children in the evening,' she said. "I want people to not only understand what they do for a living, but also their lives as a whole.' MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY PUSHED TO THE BRINK Song is no stranger to physical challenges, but even she admitted this experience was unlike anything she'd ever done. 'It is my first time doing a documentary,' she said. 'I'm a fan of them, but watching one and being a part of it are completely different.' In her bid to portray the culture truthfully and responsibly, Song wanted to be the best haenyeo she could be, which meant taking a radically different approach from her past work. 'Unlike other projects, I never wanted to look pretty doing this,' she said. 'All I wanted to show was my determination and the effort I was putting in.' Her spirit and physicality were tested daily. 'Since young, I have never been scared of water,' she said. 'But to become haenyeo, you have to train so much in the water and get used to going into such great depths. While you're down there, you need to find something to harvest. Going through all these in one go was very, very tough.' At one point, she thought she had managed to dive five metres deep, only to be told by her trainers that she had reached just one. In another instance, 'I thought I held my breath for two minutes – it was actually 20 seconds,' she recalled. So intense was the training, that Song even caught hypothermia and had to cease diving for a period of time. Despite the setbacks, she never felt like giving up. 'I was stressed over the fact that if I don't perfect (my skills), everyone will look down on haenyeos because I didn't show how they are supposed to be,' she said. 'I had to keep in mind that through me, people would see what a haenyeo's life is really like, and what I show is what they will learn.' BECOMING ONE WITH THE HAENYEOS AND JEJU The physical challenge was only one part of her transformation. After the month, Song emerged with a renewed outlook on life, a reverence for the sea and its inhabitants, as well as deep bonds with the local community. When asked about how she bridged the generational differences between her and the 60- to 70-something-year-old haenyeos who trained her, she said: 'When there is a common interest, you don't actually feel the age gap. We shared a motivation. For me, it was to learn how to become a haenyeo, and for them it was to teach me to become one. All I did was try my best to do better all the time. Plus, I was the maknae (youngest) haenyeo, and they actually adored that.' The moment when Song felt truly accepted into the community came when they began to share their hard-earned wisdom freely. 'They were trying to teach me more stuff, instruct me, and share more (knowledge), like 'you can find this here' or 'you can use this one this way',' she said. 'Haenyeos work on their own, so for them to share their know-hows and the skill sets they have learned over a lifetime to somebody who is trying to become one is such a great way of showing that they accept you, and I felt so grateful.' Additionally, Jeju itself, which is a UNESCO protected site, made Song feel welcome in quiet yet wondrous ways. On her first and last days on the island, dolphins appeared in the open water. 'It was as if they were saying hi and bye,' she reminisced. And then there was her personal entourage of fish. After she accidentally cracked open a sea urchin underwater once, a school of fish thought she was feeding them and began to swim along with her whenever they saw her. 'You won't see as many fish around other haenyeos, and now you know why,' she quipped. A MONTH OF REBIRTH AND RENEWAL Though the month-long training left her physically exhausted – 'I fell sick after finishing the entire journey,' she said – it strengthened her mentally. 'I am more confident in taking on more physically challenging projects in the future,' she said. 'I enjoyed watching myself being upgraded and developed through this challenge. It was a good refresh for myself.' Besides physical skills, the haenyeos, whom Song calls samchuns (a term of respect for middle-aged men and women in Jeju) have imparted her with patience and strength. 'I became stronger by taking on the attitude they have towards their jobs and lifestyles,' she said. 'And I've learned how to put others before me and how not to complain about all the small matters (in life).' With all that she has gone through and learned from her samchuns, it should come as no surprise that Song remains in touch with them to this day. She shared that she visits them whenever she is back on Jeju island, and has even kept key tools from her training in Hado-ri (a village in Jeju) so she can easily resume deep-diving with them. SAVE THE SEA, SAVE THE HAENYEOS Ultimately, Song hopes Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo's Haenyeo Adventure sparks a deeper appreciation for the haenyeos and what they represent. 'Haenyeos are not greedy people who will just dive into the water and take as much as they want.' Revealing this as the reason why haenyeos dive without oxygen tanks, Song went on to explain that this is a 'compromise with nature', as the duration of how long one can hold her breath is nature's way of dictating how much one is allowed to take from it. 'That determination and appreciation they have of nature is what I want people to really focus on and learn from,' said Song. While haenyeo numbers are dwindling today, she hopes the show can introduce the job to more people. 'Yes, there are some younger generations who want to become haenyeo, but not many,' she said. '(However), it is our national heritage, and it is Jeju's role to keep this heritage going and to (preserve) haenyeo as a job.' Still, she maintained that there is one thing that matters more, and that is the preservation of their livelihood – the ocean. 'The sea is getting sick. When I was diving, I saw a lot of trash which was just thrown out of greed. That's the haenyeos' (working) environment and playground, so we first have to protect and preserve the quality of the sea before we can worry about preserving haenyeo as a profession,' she said. 'It is not too late for us to start protecting the sea.'
Independent Singapore
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Independent Singapore
Korean actress Song Ji Hyo declares, 'I love Malaysia,' and she frequently travels there for both business and pleasure
KOREA: South Korean actress Song Ji Hyo enjoys visiting Malaysia, be it for business of just for enjoyment, according to The Star . Recently, on May 2, the 43-year-old actress visited Malaysia to promote her new three-part documentary with the BBC. It's all about her adventure called Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo's Haenyeo Adventure. Photo: Instagram/Song Ji Hyo While she was in Kuala Lumpur for the documentary promotion, she also sat down for an interview with StarLifestyle at a local hotel. She said she loves Malaysia. It turns out this isn't her first time here this year either. Just back in February, she was in KL for the Running Man Run 2 U live show She said that she visits Malaysia not only for business but also secretly for a vacation. She even mentioned that Malaysia is one of her favourite places to visit. Most female fans in Malaysia What's really sweet is that Song Ji Hyo feels a special connection with her Malaysian fans, especially the ladies! She's noticed that she has a huge female fan base here. She even said that whenever she comes to Malaysia, she sees a lot of familiar faces in the crowd, and they always give her a warm and lovely welcome. The actress said that is why whenever she visits the country, she looks forward to seeing them. Sometimes she sees her fans in Korea, too. The fans make a trip to Korea to see Song Ji Hyo. She always looks forward to visiting Malaysia because she receives such a warm welcome. Song Ji Hyo shared about a male fan in Malaysia who called her eonni. Eonni is a Korean term usually used by women to address each either, but this man called the actress eonni. She recounted this with a smile. She also shared that she never skips a moment to have satay when she is in Malaysia. The locals in Malaysia have been giving her some great recommendations! They told her she has to try meatball soup, rose-flavoured drink, and of course, experience eating at some of the delicious local restaurants. Free diving On top of chatting with the press, Song Ji Hyo also made a special appearance at the Aurum Theatre in TRX. She was there to give everyone a sneak peek by showing the very first episode of her new documentary. In the series, she actually tried free diving herself to collect shellfish way down deep in the ocean. Through that experience, Song Ji Hyo really got to see just how incredibly tough and amazing the legendary haenyeo divers of Jeju Island truly are. So, if you're curious to see what she experienced, you can catch her whole journey when the documentary finally airs on BBC Earth, Saturday, May 11, at 9 pm. The well-known South Korean actress and model, Song Ji Hyo, was actually born as Cheon Seong-im on August 15, 1981 Lots of people around the world know her because she's been a regular on the super popular South Korean variety show Running Man since way back in 2010. Her 'Ace' nickname on the show reflects her quick-wittedness and ability to excel in missions. Before she became the 'Ace' we know and love on Running Man , Song Ji Hyo actually started her career as an actress. B ack in 2003, Song Ji Hyo landed her very first acting gig in a horror film called Wishing Stairs . Interestingly, it wasn't the first movie in that spooky Whispering Corridors series; it was actually the third one.
Hype Malaysia
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
(Video) Korean Actress Song Jihyo Shares Sweet Moment With Host Natalie Chai During KL Event
South Korean actress Song Jihyo (송지효) is no stranger to Malaysia, having visited us many times. Just last week, the 'Running Man' star was in Kuala Lumpur to promote a new docuseries, where she shared a sweet moment with local host Natalie Chai. The actress was in town recently as part of a promotional tour for her upcoming BBC Earth docuseries, 'Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo's Haenyeo Adventure.' The event was said to be a small meet-and-greet with fans and BBC Earth viewers. As shown in photos and videos, the star looked radiant in a white dress as she greeted fans and posed for pictures. The event also included a heartwarming moment between her and event emcee Natalie Chai that went viral. The host shared about the interaction on her Instagram, captioning the video, 'When you get greeted by Song Jihyo like this'. In the video, the actress was seen excitedly running towards Natalie from across the room. She even said, 'Long time no see!' as she hugged the host. As it turns out, this was the third time Song Jihyo and Natalie had met, so the actress was happy to reunite with a familiar face. The moment garnered a lot of attention from netizens and fans. Many were happy for Natalie for being recognised by a global star, with some saying that the two are close enough to call each other friends. Some expressed envy, saying they would also like to be greeted by Song Jihyo in such a manner. Others quipped that the 43-year-old so often visits Malaysia that she can consider it her second home. Song Jihyo shared more photos of her visit and the meet-and-greet event through her Instagram. In her photos, the actress posed with a large bouquet and a custom cake themed to her new docuseries. The comment section was filled with messages from local fans, belatedly welcoming her to Malaysia and wishing her a pleasant stay. Some also wished for her to visit KL more often. We're glad that Song Jihyo had a great time while she was in town, and we hope to see her return soon. 'Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo's Haenyeo Adventure' is a new docuseries from BBC Earth premiering 11th May (Sunday) that explores the life of South Korea's female free divers and Song Jihyo's experience of diving alongside them. Watch Song Jihyo's interaction with Natalie below and the trailer for her new docuseries: Sources: China Press, Instagram (1)(2)(3)
