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”.
