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 aspect of beauty and feminine power is unveiled. These women are the Haenyeo, which can be translated as “women of the sea”.
Generally older, these Korean women, regarded as true icons in their country, are famous for an ancestral technique: free diving to harvest a treasure of nature: seaweed.
Used in the beauty field for their moisturizing, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory properties, seaweed also finds its place in food, nutritional supplements, and, of course, cosmetics.
Join me on a little journey through time, in South Korea and 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 around 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 world of the underwater realm and marine life off the coast of Jeju Island in South Korea. This is where the famous Haenyeo, the divers whose majority (nearly 90%) are over 60 years old, go to harvest the seaweed with its multiple benefits. Admired icons, they embody the matriarchal society of Jeju. Free diving, they brave not only the depths and marine animals (sharks and octopuses) but also the elements, to feed their community that has long depended on the riches of the sea.
Seaweed: these marine plants with numerous benefits
The exhibition “BADA: Underwater World” features several series of events around seaweed and their benefits, particularly in the beauty sector. The first, “Forests of the Sea”, provides viewers with an overview of these marine plants. Rich in exceptional nutritional properties, beneficial for health as well as beauty, seaweed also plays a major environmental role: they help combat climate change through their ability to absorb carbon dioxide.
The Haenyeo: women in free diving
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 intended to feed their communities.
These divers descend up to twenty meters, holding their breath for several minutes thanks to sumbisori, a whistling breathing technique that regulates their immersion. The strength of their practice relies as much on endurance as on discipline. Most are over sixty years old but continue to perpetuate this expertise with intact mastery.
Threatened with extinction among younger generations, this tradition was inscribed in 2016 on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This gesture not only acknowledges 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 that influences their work is climate change, which slows the growth of seaweed and endangers the next generation of Haenyeo.
How to consume seaweed?
- As a snack
Spoiler alert: seaweed is not only good for health, but it is also a real pleasure to eat. The brand Oh!MyGim offers it in thin, crispy sheets, to be enjoyed like light chips. Natural for purists, spiced with kimchi for a tangy and addictive touch, flavored with green tea for a delicate note, or even twisted with wasabi for those who love strong sensations.
- In cosmetic products
Rich in minerals and antioxidants, seaweed has established itself as a precious ally in skincare rituals. They can be found in masks, creams, or even serums, where they reveal all their hydrating, soothing, and protective power 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 interlude that transforms the skin by morning.
The exhibition takes place at the cultural center in Berlin, Leipziger Platz 310117 Berlin until September 10, 2025.
Featured image: © Koreanisches Kulturzentrum
