BBC Studios has announced that audiences in Asia will be the first to watch Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo’s Haenyeo Adventure, premiering on BBC Earth and BBC Player on 11 May 2025.
A first original co-production between BBC Studios and Korean media company JTBC, Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo’s Haenyeo Adventure follows Korean star Song Ji-hyo as she embarks on a challenging journey: free diving with the legendary haenyeo or sea women.
For over 400 years, the haenyeo have maintained a lifestyle recognized by UNESCO as an ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.’ These remarkable women, many in their 80s, dive up to 20 metres without equipment to gather shellfish for their families.
The series spans three visually stunning episodes, documenting Song Ji-hyo’s intensive training to become a haenyeo. With her aunt as a former haenyeo, she is eager to learn, but she must condense 30 years of training into just a month, preparing both her body and mind for this high-stakes adventure that uncovers a hidden side of Korea and herself.
All of this takes place on Jeju, Korea’s beautiful southernmost island. This volcanic landscape, often called ‘Korean Hawaii,’ has a complicated past. Once a harsh penal colony, it is now a popular travel spot. By learning about the haenyeo way of life, Song Ji-hyo will discover more about their culture, their home, and her own abilities, hoping they will accept her as their newest member.
Ryan Shiotani, Senior Vice President of Content at BBC Studios Asia, says: “We are incredibly proud to partner with JTBC on our first original co-production together to celebrate the incredible lives of the haenyeo divers and immerse audiences in Song Ji-hyo’s most personal and demanding challenge. At BBC Studios, we consistently have the unique privilege to work with the best in the business, and with expert camera work and Song Ji-hyo’s down-to-earth charm, this series is no different. We can’t wait to give viewers in Asia, and across the world, a deeper appreciation of Korea’s deep cultural heritage, like never before.”
Huh Jin, JTBC Content Production Director says: ”Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo’s Haenyeo Adventure is a documentary series that delicately captures the strong spirit and way of life of Jeju’s haenyeo. This co-production with BBC Studios was more than just a show—it was a meaningful first step to share Korea’s precious culture with the world. We are delighted to be able to bring the story of Jeju’s haenyeo with a global audience. JTBC will continue to connect with viewers around the world through original Korean content.”
Song Ji-hyo also says: “Working on this series has been a very special and meaningful journey for me, and I’m sincerely delighted to be able to share this experience with viewers around the world. Having the opportunity to directly experience the lives of Jeju Island’s haenyeo women and learn their way of life has been a precious opportunity that I’ll never forget in my lifetime. Through this series, I hope that audiences in Korea and throughout the world will gain a deeper understanding of the haenyeo community’s deep heritage and precious traditions.”
Ahead of the series release, Song Ji-hyo will visit Kuala Lumpur in May for an exclusive screening event by BBC Studios.
Stream the premiere of Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo’s Haenyeo Adventure on BBC Player every Sunday from 11 May at 9:00 PM. The series will also be available on BBC Earth channel, on UnifiTV channel 501 and Astro channel 554.