Daughter of the Sea: Sisterhood in the Sea | Patagonia Films

For Jaeyoun Kim, the ocean is more than a connection to family; it’s a path to healing. Patagonia Films’ Daughter of the Sea follows Jaeyoun, who leaves her island home in South Korea to pursue a more traditional career path in Seoul. But as her mental health begins to unravel and depression sets in, she decides to join the haenyeo, Jeju Island’s famed “women of the sea.” For centuries, these free divers and fisherwomen—some in their 80s—have dived more than 30 feet to gather seafood for their families and villages. Following in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother, Jaeyoun learns what it means to become a haenyeo and why returning to the ocean ultimately saves her.

Content Warning
This film includes discussions of depression and suicide. While we have done our best to explore these topics conscientiously, remember that we are looking through the lens of a single person’s experience. Please take care of yourself as you watch and find support if you are struggling with these topics.

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At Patagonia, we appreciate that all life on earth is under threat of extinction. We’re using the resources we have—our business, our investments, our voice and our imaginations—to do something about it.

[bradgantt]

What a beautiful story. So glad that the sea, and haenyeo community provided the healing, Jaeyoun needed.

[ross]

Jaeyoun Kim's story is another affirmation that the Earth's Nature [soul/spirit] permeates through we humans - we are one. When we humans ignore that connection of oneness, we do so at our peril. Jaeyoun is blessed to have an Aunt who wisely reminded Jaeyoun to reconnect to that oneness - I'm so happy for Jaeyoun! Thank you Jaryoun for allowing your story to be a reminder to other humans about our oneness with Earth's Nature! Namaste...

[VisionsLLC]

Such an important film to share with the word. The power of our ocean mother and the medicine that she imparts could only be understood by those who have a respectful and reciprocal relationship with her. All Indigenous peoples of the continents from Africa to Australia and America to Asia practiced this. We must all go back to these ways in order to save what is left of our humanity. The land and the waters will continue to do what they must to heal themselves, even if it means cleansing herself from destructive energy forces that extract, abuse and disrespect her.

[janices]

This is beautiful. The connection of family and how nature can heal us, if we allow it to.

[louispoulain]

Wonderful movie about wonderful women, thank you Patagonia and the production team. Underwater shots are amazing

[lianerogers]

Excellent, elegantly, beautiful. She received healing. Communion with family, and sisterhood.

[petersenjessem]

This made me cry, I miss the ocean so much. I can’t wait to move back to it. What a touching and beautiful film. Thank you for sharing such a personal story about your life and mental health Jaeyoun ❤❤❤ You are an inspiration to me.

[kathylewis]

So beautiful! Your spirit, your courage, your bravery, all felt like home. Thank you for your gift of sharing!

[wildwondernature]

Such a powerful, personal testament to the life-giving power of the sea. I loved the marked distinction between the “death” of the brain on a corporate life path, contrasted by the body’s enormously strong will to live among the ocean realms. Stunningly shot, as well! 👏👏👏

[dahnyul]

So beautiful! Thank you for creating this! It is such a common struggle, and then to find that connection with nature is so immense. I have felt that myself with hunting for wild mushrooms. Thank you for this, it is deeply settling and wonderful to see! A beautiful story.

[suhjihoon]

Thank you Patagonia for making a beautiful film. I am Korean but it’s my first time learning about haenyeo, our own cultural heritage.

I will teach this to my kids as well. Thank you 🎉

[tuftofflowers]

I had goosebumps. Thank you so much for sharing this

[mihaelam]

A lovely film. I love all your freediving content especially.

[MacCommII]

A beautiful story of how healing nature can be. Thank you for creating and sharing.

[marvaldes-wmsj]

So touching, I hope this endures many generations more. Giving our best energy from here!

[thomasdecarlo]

I know exactly … exactly how she felt. 30 years in the corporate world because my parents and family insisted it and the titles that went with it was the only thing to do, the only way to live life, the only thing respectable, the only thing they woukd support (and they didn’t even, pay for my college even though they could). I hated every day if it, I hated every minute of it. I hated the jobs, the companies, the culture, the people I worked with. I drank too much to deal with it. Actually feared going to sleep because I would have to wake up and go to work and do it all again. Every day of the week I wished to be Friday.I wished my life away for 30 years. 30 years of my life wasted and for what … a nod from my parents, family, society.

[erickwon]

Wonderful story! Loving the call to nature to witness the beauty along!

[StudioSteep]

Fantastic shots, very relatable story for my family too. Seeing haenyeo on Jeju was very humbling for me years ago.
What better compliment than to be called a creature of the sea?

[SeaspriteLiving]

Thank you for making this film and sharing it with us. It is such a reminder of the connection we share through the One Ocean and how we need to draw on its spirit to support one another.

[chinobandito]

HOLYYY MOLYYY her grandmother kept diving until she was That is insane considering that most people in their 90s are pretty dormant and dont have much energy to even walk far.