Last generation of the Korean mermaids

Diving — it is difficult. Henyo had to fall by twenty meters to ice water without any equipment, holding the breath more than for two minutes. Reaching perfection in this skill, many women became the main supporter of a family, having replaced the husbands.

B 2016 the tradition henyo still exists though hardly she needed to live long. The photographer from New York Michzho Kym decided to depict firm women who devoted the life to skill of diving. "These divers store the Korean heritage, they — the last generation henyo" — is told by the photographer.

younger generation of the Koreans who have grown up on islands where once lived henyo, now moves to the continent, trying to get an education or more modern profession. In 2010 the most part of disappearing population henyo was more senior than 70 years, and the following generation of women was not trained in skill therefore to replace them there is nobody.

too from South Korea. It considers the art of photography as the tool for the story about the cultural heritage. It especially struck henyo which, despite an antiquity of tradition and strict professional ethics, are little-known outside the country.

to Remove this photoshoot it was difficult. Kym needed to get up about four mornings to accompany henyo on their travel to the underwater world. It spent for the road for two hours to reach by car in the winter the district County of Gijang where in 2013, for example, temperature fell to two degrees below zero. But winter — a season of sea hedgehogs, and at this particular time henyo come for hunting.

"In the first day I tried to make by p a picture under water, and it was the most difficult day of shootings. I thought that well I swim. Still I was very sure of myself and excited with opportunity to remove under water, but there a difficult situation. I could not be in time behind them at all. They were as if young mermaids, such fast and flexible. I at all did not see any sea hedgehog because in water they are similar to stones".

the series which has Turned out at Kym of pictures shows p to div henyo directly in business and after diving, intensity of their operating mode and their emotion. On faces of mermaids in hard diving suits the fatigue is distinctly read, and in their eyes there are tears.

"I want to share p not only their female beauty, but also courage with which they meet vital difficulties" — the photographer speaks. She hopes to continue to remove henyo when next time will go to South Korea.