What Makes South Korea's 'Super Divers' Special?

Short Wave

NPR

Daily News, Nature, Life Sciences, Astronomy, Science, News

4.7 • 6K Ratings

🗓️ 20 June 2025

⏱️ 13 minutes

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Summary

For generations, the all-female Haenyeo divers have routinely dove into frigid waters off the coast of South Korea, holding their breath for minutes at a time, as they collect seafood to eat and sell. These women start diving as girls and continue well into old age. And recent research suggests that it's not just years of training that makes this feat possible – it's also a set of special genetic adaptations. Science reporter Ari Daniel brings us the story.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	This is Ira Glass of This American Life.
0:02.0	Each week on our show, we choose the theme, tell different stories on that theme.
0:06.0	All right, I'm just going to stop right there.
0:09.0	You're listening to an NPR podcast.
0:10.0	Chances are you know our show.
0:12.0	So instead, I'm going to tell you we've just been on a run of really good shows lately.
0:17.0	Some big, epic emotional stories and some weird funny stuff, too. Download us, this American
0:23.1	Life. You're listening to Shortwave from NPR. Hey, everybody, it's Emily Kwong, and I'm with
0:31.7	science reporter Ari Daniel. You're taking us on a adventure today, right, Ari? I am indeed. Emily,
0:39.6	I'm going to take you to Jeju Island.
0:40.3	Ooh.
0:42.2	Where's Jeju Island?
0:46.0	It's like 50, 60 miles off the coast of South Korea.
0:51.4	And in this video that you're hearing, there's a motorboat that's chugging along the coast.
0:57.8	Before the vessel even comes to a stop, an older woman in a wetsuit jumps into the water and dives down.
1:00.1	Oh, so this is a diver.
1:01.6	Yeah.
1:01.8	Cool.
1:02.8	Wet suit, I'm assuming she's also got fins in a mask.
1:05.4	Yes.
1:06.0	Yep, yes.
1:06.6	And like an oxygen tank and stuff?
	...

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