Jeju, South Korea —
Youngrak-ri, a small coastal village on the far western side of South Korea’s Jeju Island, used to be famous for two things — fertile soil and the occasional dolphin appearance.
But in more recent years, it’s become known for being the home of a true rarity in the country — an American haenyeo.
Haenyeo (hae means sea and nyeo means women) are female divers, historically from Jeju Island, who dive into the ocean without breathing gear to catch seafood for a living.
And as of this year, Kylie Genter is the only foreigner to hold a haenyeo license — mandatory for those who want to engage in commercial traditional free-diving in the country.
