Latest news with #SongJi-hyo
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Song Ji-hyo sets out to become legendary haeonyeo in BBC's Deep Dive Korea
FOR years, Song Ji-hyo captivated fans as an award-winning actress, appearing in numerous blockbusters such as Wishing Stairs, A Frozen Flower and New World. Her fame then exceeded South Korea's borders upon her appearance in the long-running reality show Running Man. But after 24 years in the entertainment industry, the 43-year-old is undertaking the greatest challenge of her life, becoming one of South Korea's legendary haenyeo (sea women). The haenyeo are keepers of a tradition passed down from generations for at least 400 years, a lifestyle Unesco has recognised as an 'Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity'. Every day, these women dive up for seven hours a day without air apparatus or advanced equipment, to gather shellfish, seaweed and other sea life for their families and livelihood. In her latest three-episode documentary Deep Dive Korea, Song takes viewers on a personal journey, subjecting herself to the intensive training necessary to become one of those legendary sea women. Speaking to theSun, she opens up about her passion for the cause, the intensive training she endured and her hope for viewers to take away from the documentary. Why did you decide to do this show? I decided to do a documentary on haenyeo because I wanted to experience their lives. I wanted to understand their lives as haenyeo because the focus is usually on what they do. The focus has not been on how they became haenyeo. So, I wanted to emphasise this aspect – of how they put so much effort into becoming haenyeo. I wanted to not only understand their jobs as haenyeo but also convey their stories and efforts. Would you say this differentiates Deep Dive Korea from other travel and diving series? Yes, it is a deep dive into our cultural heritage, which is haenyeo that is all across South Korea. The series not only showcases haenyeo as a job, but also their culture, community and lifestyle. You will get to see how even when they are sad, happy, sick or have recently given birth, they still have to dive in for their survival. That kind of warrior type of lifestyle is what differentiates this entire show from just a mere travel programme. What was it like to squeeze 30 years' worth of training into one month? I have never been afraid of water since I was young. But, the process of becoming a haenyeo was difficult. The process of getting used to the water and going down to the depth and finding something to harvest was difficult. It was physically difficult, and it stressed me out during the whole training month. But what was most challenging was the responsibility to showcase the true side of haenyeo. I was worried that my portrayal of a haenyeo might seem clumsy or imperfect. I was under the stress that if I did not perfect it, everyone would look down on haenyeo. So, I was being a perfectionist while training. But, I was mentally determined to be recognised as a haenyeo. So, this motivated me to keep going. Did the fear of drowning ever cross your mind? Yes. I was always afraid of incidents such as that because the sea is always dangerous. Whether you are prepared or not, the sea always invites some sort of danger. And so, definitely, I was under a lot of pressure, worrying 'what if this happened, what if that happened?' What are some moments on the show that you will cherish? I saw a dolphin for the first time outside a cave. They were not enclosed and were freewheeling. On my arrival to Jeju and my day of departure, they were there – as if they were saying hi and goodbye. There was one haenyeo, in fact, who passed away on the surface in the neighbouring area Hadori because she had a heart attack. Incidents such as this can happen to anyone and everyone – no matter how experienced you are. You just need to know your condition and be aware of the danger. Just have to always be careful. What are some moments on the show that you will cherish? I saw a dolphin for the first time outside a cave. They were not enclosed and were freewheeling. On my arrival to Jeju and my day of departure, they were there – as if they were saying hi and goodbye. Another unforgettable memory I have is how I got to learn so much about the underwater lifestyle while training to become a haenyeo. I learnt how they had their rules, orders and an entire community I was unaware of. It was one of the coolest experiences I had. One particularly vivid memory, for instance, was when one of the haenyeo cut the sea urchin, cracked open and gave it to a fish. The fish surprisingly led her to an area with more sea urchins. That was their way of communication – 'Hey, I feed you a sea urchin. If you want more, let me know where I can find it.' So, that is when I realised this is the harmony of living with nature. We can live and co-exist together. What was the most beautiful sight you saw under the sea? There was once I tried catching a sea urchin. I could not take it off and it got ripped. It then cracked open and the sea urchin was exposed. The fishes thought I was feeding it to them because they swam towards me. So, we ended up swimming together as the fishes were all around me. It was fun. Now that you have heard the story when you watch episodes two and three, you will understand why there were a lot of fishes around me and not other haenyeo. What do you hope viewers take away about South Korea and the haenyeo community after watching the show? I want people to understand haenyeo are not greedy people who will dive into the water and take as much as they want. They will hold their breath as long as possible. They will go down and search for what is available and then come back up. It is a compromise with nature. They will only take whatever nature allows them to. So, that is why they do not use oxygen tanks when diving. This determination and appreciation for nature is what I want people to focus on and learn. I also hope for viewers to learn more about their lifestyles, and how they dedicate their tasks as haenyeo, farmers and mothers. There is more than what is seen on the outside. Do you hope to do this again? Definitely! If they are doing season two, I want to do it. I am not satisfied yet as I have not mastered haenyeo truly. So, I want to continue myself.
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Mastering underwater traditions
FOR years, Song Ji-hyo captivated fans as an award-winning actress, appearing in numerous blockbusters such as Wishing Stairs, A Frozen Flower and New World. Her fame then exceeded South Korea's borders upon her appearance in the long-running reality show Running Man. But after 24 years in the entertainment industry, the 43-year-old is undertaking the greatest challenge of her life, becoming one of South Korea's legendary haenyeo (sea women). The haenyeo are keepers of a tradition passed down from generations for at least 400 years, a lifestyle Unesco has recognised as an 'Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity'. Every day, these women dive up for seven hours a day without air apparatus or advanced equipment, to gather shellfish, seaweed and other sea life for their families and livelihood. In her latest three-episode documentary Deep Dive Korea, Song takes viewers on a personal journey, subjecting herself to the intensive training necessary to become one of those legendary sea women. Speaking to theSun, she opens up about her passion for the cause, the intensive training she endured and her hope for viewers to take away from the documentary. Why did you decide to do this show? I decided to do a documentary on haenyeo because I wanted to experience their lives. I wanted to understand their lives as haenyeo because the focus is usually on what they do. The focus has not been on how they became haenyeo. So, I wanted to emphasise this aspect – of how they put so much effort into becoming haenyeo. I wanted to not only understand their jobs as haenyeo but also convey their stories and efforts. Would you say this differentiates Deep Dive Korea from other travel and diving series? Yes, it is a deep dive into our cultural heritage, which is haenyeo that is all across South Korea. The series not only showcases haenyeo as a job, but also their culture, community and lifestyle. You will get to see how even when they are sad, happy, sick or have recently given birth, they still have to dive in for their survival. That kind of warrior type of lifestyle is what differentiates this entire show from just a mere travel programme. What was it like to squeeze 30 years' worth of training into one month? I have never been afraid of water since I was young. But, the process of becoming a haenyeo was difficult. The process of getting used to the water and going down to the depth and finding something to harvest was difficult. It was physically difficult, and it stressed me out during the whole training month. But what was most challenging was the responsibility to showcase the true side of haenyeo. I was worried that my portrayal of a haenyeo might seem clumsy or imperfect. I was under the stress that if I did not perfect it, everyone would look down on haenyeo. So, I was being a perfectionist while training. But, I was mentally determined to be recognised as a haenyeo. So, this motivated me to keep going. Did the fear of drowning ever cross your mind? Yes. I was always afraid of incidents such as that because the sea is always dangerous. Whether you are prepared or not, the sea always invites some sort of danger. And so, definitely, I was under a lot of pressure, worrying 'what if this happened, what if that happened?' What are some moments on the show that you will cherish? I saw a dolphin for the first time outside a cave. They were not enclosed and were freewheeling. On my arrival to Jeju and my day of departure, they were there – as if they were saying hi and goodbye. There was one haenyeo, in fact, who passed away on the surface in the neighbouring area Hadori because she had a heart attack. Incidents such as this can happen to anyone and everyone – no matter how experienced you are. You just need to know your condition and be aware of the danger. Just have to always be careful. Song reveals her aunt was a haenyeo. What are some moments on the show that you will cherish? I saw a dolphin for the first time outside a cave. They were not enclosed and were freewheeling. On my arrival to Jeju and my day of departure, they were there – as if they were saying hi and goodbye. Another unforgettable memory I have is how I got to learn so much about the underwater lifestyle while training to become a haenyeo. I learnt how they had their rules, orders and an entire community I was unaware of. It was one of the coolest experiences I had. One particularly vivid memory, for instance, was when one of the haenyeo cut the sea urchin, cracked open and gave it to a fish. The fish surprisingly led her to an area with more sea urchins. Fishes swimming towards Song. That was their way of communication – 'Hey, I feed you a sea urchin. If you want more, let me know where I can find it.' So, that is when I realised this is the harmony of living with nature. We can live and co-exist together. What was the most beautiful sight you saw under the sea? There was once I tried catching a sea urchin. I could not take it off and it got ripped. It then cracked open and the sea urchin was exposed. The fishes thought I was feeding it to them because they swam towards me. So, we ended up swimming together as the fishes were all around me. It was fun. Now that you have heard the story when you watch episodes two and three, you will understand why there were a lot of fishes around me and not other haenyeo. Song (in purple) with her fellow haenyeo. What do you hope viewers take away about South Korea and the haenyeo community after watching the show? I want people to understand haenyeo are not greedy people who will dive into the water and take as much as they want. They will hold their breath as long as possible. They will go down and search for what is available and then come back up. It is a compromise with nature. They will only take whatever nature allows them to. So, that is why they do not use oxygen tanks when diving. This determination and appreciation for nature is what I want people to focus on and learn. I also hope for viewers to learn more about their lifestyles, and how they dedicate their tasks as haenyeo, farmers and mothers. There is more than what is seen on the outside. Do you hope to do this again? Definitely! If they are doing season two, I want to do it. I am not satisfied yet as I have not mastered haenyeo truly. So, I want to continue myself.
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.
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.'
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BBC Earth's "Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo's Haenyeo Adventure" to premiere in Asia on 11 May
24 Apr - BBC Studios has announced that audiences across Asia will be the first to watch "Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo's Haenyeo Adventure" on their screens, with the series set to premiere on BBC Earth and BBC Player in Asia on 11 May. A first original co-production between BBC Studios and Korean media company JTBC, "Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo's Haenyeo Adventure" immerses viewers in Korean star Song Ji-hyo's journey as she undertakes the greatest challenge of her life: free diving with the legendary haenyeo or sea women. The haenyeo are keepers of a precious tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation for at least 400 years, a lifestyle UNESCO has recognised as an 'Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity'. Every day these incredible women, many of whom are in their 80s, risk their lives by plunging up to 20 metres to the seafloor without air apparatus or advanced equipment, to gather shellfish for their families and their livelihood. Across three visually spectacular episodes, the series document Song on an adventure like no other, as she subjects herself to the intensive training necessary to become one of Korea's legendary sea women. Her aunt was a haenyeo, with Song fascinated by the inspiring aquatic abilities and charisma of her relatives. However, most haenyeo start their training in the sea at the age of eight but the actress will have to cram over 30 years' worth of training into just a month. She will not only need to exercise her body but also prepare her mind - it's a high-stakes adventure that will reveal an unseen side to both Song and Korea. Ryan Shiotani, Senior Vice President of Content at BBC Studios Asia, says: "We are incredibly proud to partner with JTBC on our first original co-production together to celebrate the incredible lives of the haenyeo divers and immerse audiences in Song Ji-hyo's most personal and demanding challenge. At BBC Studios, we consistently have the unique privilege to work with the best in the business, and with expert camera work and Song Ji-hyo's down-to-earth charm, this series is no different. We can't wait to give viewers in Asia, and across the world, a deeper appreciation of Korea's deep cultural heritage, like never before." The actress expressed "Working on this series has been a very special and meaningful journey for me, and I'm sincerely delighted to be able to share this experience with viewers around the world. Having the opportunity to directly experience the lives of Jeju Island's haenyeo women and learn their way of life has been a precious opportunity that I'll never forget in my lifetime. Through this series, I hope that audiences in Korea and throughout the world will gain a deeper understanding of the haenyeo community's deep heritage and precious traditions." Ahead of the series release, Song will be making a visit to Kuala Lumpur in May for an exclusive screening event organised by BBC Studios. Stream the premiere of Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo's Haenyeo Adventure on BBC Player every Sunday, from 11 May at 9:00pm. The series will also be available at the same time on the BBC Earth channel, available on UnifiTV channel 501 and Astro channel 554.
