The latest generation of the Korean mermaids

Korean tradition deep-sea diving for oysters, sea cucumbers, abalone, sea urchins and squid originates from the fifth century of our era. It was originally a male profession, which is not surprising. However, in the XVIII century nuraldin, who were called Jane, or "sea women," became much more than divers.

Diving is not easy. Jane had to sink twenty meters into the icy water without any equipment, holding the breath more than two minutes. Reaching perfection in this skill, many women become the main breadwinner of the family, replacing their husbands.

In 2016 Hane tradition still exists, although it is unlikely she had long to live. Photographer from new York Mijo Kim decided to capture persistent women who have dedicated their lives to the skill of diving. "The divers keep the Korean heritage, they are the last generation Hane," says the photographer.

The younger generation of Koreans who grew up on the Islands, where once lived Jane, now moved to the mainland, trying to get an education or a more modern profession. In 2010, a large part of the endangered population gene were older than 70 years, and the next generation of women were taught to mastery, so change them no one.

Kim is also from South Korea. She considers the art of photography as a tool for a story about their cultural heritage. It particularly struck Jane that, despite the ancient traditions and strict professional ethics, little known outside the country.

To remove this photo shoot was not easy. Kim had to get up about four in the morning to accompany Jane in their travels in the underwater world. She spent on the road for two hours to reach by car in the winter, the County Cigan, where in 2013, for example, the temperature fell to two degrees below zero. But winter is the season of sea urchins, and it was at this time Jane go hunting.

"The first day I tried to take a picture under water, and it was the most difficult day of shooting. I thought I was a good swimmer. I was very confident and excited about the opportunity to shoot under water, but there is a difficult situation. I couldn't even keep up with them. They were like young mermaids are fast and flexible. I don't even see any sea urchin, because in the water they look like rocks".

The resulting Kim the series of images shows Jane directly in the case and after diving, the intensity of their operating mode and their emotions. On the faces of the mermaids into a tight diving suits clearly read fatigue, and their eyes are full of tears.

"I want to share not only their feminine beauty but also the courage with which they meet life's challenges," says the photographer. She hopes to continue to remove Jane, next time you go to South Korea.