Co-founder of the Chosun Taekwondo Academy Patty Cook takes a close look at the Haenyeo, sea women, of Jeju Island, South Korea who hold their breath while diving 40 feet into the Yellow and East China Seas. Often referred to as mermaids, the divers catch urchins, abalone, and red sea cucumber from the ocean floor in wet suits without oxygen tanks. Many of the sea women are now in their 70s and 80s, and follow traditions, such as free-diving and singing work songs, that date back to 1629. The program culminates with Korean musicians in traditional costume performing a sea song about the light of the sunset in green-blue water as they return from a day in the deep.

This program is supported by public funds from Councilman Borelli of District 51 and the New York City Council in partnership with the Department for the Aging. It originally premiered in collaboration with the JCC for its members earlier this year.