Our Journey
Hado-ri 2024 Haenyeo Retirement Ceremony
2nd November, 2024
We were very honored to be a participant of Jeju's first Haenyeo retirement ceremony. The Hado-ri Haenyeo retirement ceremony was a meaningful and unforgettable experience. The ceremony celebrated the hard work and spirit of the Haenyeo who dedicated their lives to the sea. As Haenyeo supporters, we prepared a congratulatory message to express our deep respect and gratitude. Along with the retirement event, there were various performances that added a festive atmosphere. Traditional music and dances were performed to honor the haenyeo’s legacy. Seeing the Haenyeo receive recognition brought both joy and emotion to everyone. It was a special moment that reminded us of the importance of preserving Haenyeo culture.
Suwon-Li 2024 3rd Haenyeo Retirement Ceremony
25th November, 2024
This ceremony is dedicated to eleven precious Haenyeos who have worked tirelessly in the ocean for their lifetime. All the audience and guests expressed gratitude towards the efforts they have put into throughout their career. JongHee Kim, the governor of the Korean Girl Scout Association, recognized the Haenyeos by thanking them for their effort, and by presenting Girl Scout Honorary Leader Certificates. Also, JunHee Youm, leader of the Haenyeo Supporters, gave a gratitude speech to honor them.
Many cheerful performances were held to celebrate the new life of Haenyeos that had started at that moment of retirement. The Hallim Choir performed cheerful songs that bore hopeful messages. Ms. OkRae Kang, a colleague of those who retired, performed "The Song of Haenyeos”, and Subin Cho, a member of the Haenyeo Supporters, performed ‘Amor Fati’ on flute.
The members of Haenyeo Supporters will always support and cheer Haenyeos starting their new life, no matter what paths they choose to engage in.
Jeju Haenyeo Daesangun Virtuoso and Maestro Calendar
24th December, 2024
One unique challenge was translating the term "해녀 대상군" into English. Since no exact phrase existed, we created our own: virtuoso and maestro, words that reflect the profound skill and respect these haenyeos deserve. We sincerely hope our appreciation and admiration shine through every step of this journey.
This was a true team effort. Each of us took on a different role — from handling the design to brainstorming creative ideas and suggesting improvements to push the project forward. Our shared goal was clear and passionate: to create a calendar that celebrates the haenyeo community and brings more attention to the stories of retired haenyeo. We featured 13 remarkable women in their signature goggles and diving suits, capturing their warm, proud smiles. Each haenyeo is featured in one of the 12 months, with the 13th gracing the 2026 cover page. Even small details, such as the placement of month numbers on photo pages, were thoughtfully considered. In the final stages, we constantly asked ourselves how to best highlight the haenyeo's strength, beauty, and legacy in the most respectful and visually meaningful way.
Sagye Haebyeon Beach cleanup along the ‘Path of Haenyeos’
30th March, 2025
Our eager team volunteered as environment conservation activists. Primarily, we walked along the ‘path of Haenyeos’ located on Sanbang Mountain of Jeju island. What shocked us was that almost all of us, despite being residents of the island, was oblivious of the existence of this trail. It was a familiar course, but we were blind to the Haenyeo statue and the value of the pathway prior to the assembly of this organization. This is what makes our actions meaningful – we uncover subtle details that are easily overlooked. To promote this finding, we utilized marketing strategies to advertise it to our community. We raised awareness, purified the ocean environment, and supported the Haenyeos once again!
