Seaweed and Korean Beauty: The Secret of the Haenyeo, Legendary Divers
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Sometimes, beauty is displayed on walls, and it is just as beautiful to see. With the exhibition “BADA: Underwater World”, organized by the Korean Cultural Center in Berlin, a whole facet of beauty and female power is revealed. These women are the Haenyeo, which can be translated as “the women of the sea”.
Generally older, these Korean women, considered true icons in their country, are famous for an ancestral technique: free diving to harvest a treasure of nature: seaweed.
Used in the beauty sector for their moisturizing, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory properties, seaweeds also find their place in food, nutritional supplements, and of course, cosmetics.
Join me on a little timeless journey to South Korea, more precisely underwater, where the magic of nature awakens and where these Korean icons dive into the depths of the sea of Jeju.
The exhibition “BADA: Underwater World”
South Korea… from Berlin, where the Korean Cultural Center of Germany is located. Aware of the growing enthusiasm for Korea in Europe (and the rest of the world), the Korean Institute is a dynamic platform that highlights the best of Korean culture in Germany. Workshops on K-beauty, exhibitions like this one, and various activities to discover this multifaceted country are regularly organized.
The exhibition “BADA: Underwater World” takes us into the fascinating universe of the underwater world and marine life off the coast of Jeju Island in South Korea. It is here that the famous Haenyeo, these divers, the majority of whom (nearly 90%) are over 60 years old, go to harvest the seaweeds with multiple benefits. Admired icons, they embody the matriarchal society of Jeju. In free diving, they brave not only the depths and marine animals (sharks and octopuses) but also the elements, to feed their community long dependent on the sea’s riches.
Seaweeds: These Marine Plants with Numerous Benefits
The exhibition “BADA: Underwater World” offers several series of events around seaweed and its benefits, particularly in the beauty sector. The first, “Forests of the Sea”, gives spectators an overview of these marine plants. Rich in exceptional nutritional properties, beneficial for health as well as beauty, seaweeds also play a major environmental role: they help fight climate change through their ability to absorb carbon dioxide.
The Haenyeo: Women in Free Dive
The second highlight of the exhibition is undoubtedly the most striking: the work of the Haenyeo. The true heart of the project, it shines a light on these extraordinary women, heroic figures of an island nation shaped by the sea. For centuries, they have been free diving in the deep, cold waters of Jeju to bring back seaweed and shellfish destined to nourish their communities.
These divers descend up to twenty meters, holding their breath for several minutes thanks to the sumbisori, a whistling breathing technique that governs their immersion. The strength of their practice relies as much on endurance as it does on discipline. Most are over sixty, yet they continue to perpetuate this know-how with intact mastery.
Threatened with extinction among younger generations, this tradition was inscribed in 2016 on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. A gesture that not only recognizes the cultural value of the Haenyeo but also their unique role: that of guardians of a way of life that respects the sea. Of course, another element influencing their work is climate change, which slows the growth of seaweeds and jeopardizes the succession of the Haenyeo.
How to Consume Seaweeds?
- As a Snack
Spoiler alert: seaweeds are not just good for health; they are also a true delight to savor. The brand Oh!MyGim offers them in thin, crunchy sheets, to be enjoyed like light chips. Natural for purists, seasoned with kimchi for a spicy and addictive touch, flavored with green tea for a delicate note, or even twisted with wasabi for those seeking thrills.
- In Cosmetic Products
Rich in minerals and antioxidants, seaweeds have established themselves as valuable allies in skincare rituals. They can be found in masks, creams, or even serums, where they reveal all their moisturizing, soothing, and protective powers against the signs of aging.
My favorite for a radiant complexion? The sleeping mask, to be left on overnight, combined with a 100% seaweed routine: serum, eye contour, and day cream. A marine retreat that transforms the skin by morning.
The exhibition takes place at the cultural center in Berlin, Leipziger Platz 3 10117 Berlin until September 10, 2025.
Featured Image: © Koreanisches Kulturzentrum
