South Korean star Song Ji Hyo learns free diving from legendary Jeju female divers in new BBC Earth docu-series

I still remember the first time I saw “Running Man” cast member Song Ji Hyo on screen.

I was probably 11 years old then, my huge bespectacled eyes glued to my mother’s phone as I watched a small-statured woman go toe-to-toe with other cast members — and often come out on top.

“Ace Ji Hyo”, as she was called, quickly became my childhood hero.

She wasn’t the loudest or the flashiest, but there was a quiet intensity in the way she moved and spoke.

Even as time passed and newer, fresher faces came onto the entertainment scene, Song held a special place in my heart.

So when I heard she would be starring in a new docu-series to learn freediving with the legendary haenyeo (Jeju Island’s sea women), I knew I had to watch it.

My idol stepping out of her comfort zone to challenge herself? Sign me up.

Thanks to this article, I got to preview one episode in advance — and now, I can’t wait for more.

Here’s why you won’t regret giving “Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo’s Haenyeo Adventure” a try.

A new challenge

For those unfamiliar, “haenyeo” are female freedivers from South Korea’s Jeju Island who harvest seafood without using any diving equipment or breathing apparatus.

These women usually start training at a young age — many as early as eight years old — and develop the incredible strength and stamina needed to dive for hours, holding their breath while navigating the deep.

Song, whose aunt is a haenyeo, decides to challenge herself by training as one.

The show follows her emotional and physical journey into this demanding tradition.

Her desire for something new and meaningful in life was deeply relatable, and once again, I found myself living vicariously through her — just like I did when I was 11.

If you’ve watched Song’s other work, you’ll know she’s no stranger to adventure. She’s tackled everything from bungee jumping to extreme variety show missions.

But it still surprised me how she embraced this challenge head-on, diving straight into intense training sessions without hesitation.

In one scene, Song attempts to reach the bottom of the sea, failing multiple times and growing visibly frustrated.

Yet she doesn’t give up — she listens closely to her mentors’ advice and keeps trying until she finally succeeds.

It’s a testament to her perseverance and bravery, and honestly, I couldn’t be prouder as a fan.

Plenty of laughter

Freediving isn’t just physically intense — it’s emotionally demanding too.

The haenyeo are protective of their craft and hold high standards for anyone wanting to learn.

While Song may be the star of the three-part series, its true heart lies with these incredible women — resilient, spirited, and unapologetically honest.

They welcome her into their world with warmth, but also at times with blunt criticism.

Their life stories add depth and historical weight to the series.

One that stood out to me was 64-year-old Park Mi Jung, who has more than 40 years of diving experience.

She can harvest 100 to 140 kilograms of conch during a five-hour dive.

Behind her stern yet motherly demeanor is a woman who once dreamt of becoming a hairdresser, but gave up that dream to financially support her family by becoming a haenyeo.

Her story, like many of the other haenyeo’s stories, tells us of the sacrifices and resilience of the generation of haenyeos at that time.

Aside from Park, Song must earn the approval of the other veteran divers who assess her strictly throughout her training.

The dynamic between Song and the elders is one of the show’s most compelling aspects.

Their honest feedback, warm encouragement, and emotional backstories had me laughing, tearing up, and cheering for more — all in a single episode.

Diving into it

In the next two episodes, Song will continue to train and take on even tougher challenges.

From participating in community events to diving 10 metres deep, there’s no shortage of eye-opening and heartwarming moments ahead.

Other than overcoming her own limits and building a connection with the haenyeos, Song also learns of the haenyeo’s deep heritage, and discovers the traditions rooted in the community.

Will she have what it takes to become a true haenyeo?

You can find out for yourself in “Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo’s Haenyeo Adventure”, available to stream on BBC Player on May 11.

Good news for Singtel CAST and StarHub subscribers — you can access BBC Player.

You can also catch the series on BBC Earth every Sunday at 9:00pm, starting May 11, via Singtel (Channel 203) and StarHub (Channel 407).

This branded article by BBC Earth inspired this writer to take on a new challenge.

Top photos courtesy of BBC Studios