Koh Heeyoung (Korean: 고희영; RR: Go Huiyeong; MR: Ko Hŭiyŏng) is a South Korean filmmaker noted for directing the documentary Breathing Underwater, which explores the lives of haenyeo—traditional female divers of Jeju Island.
Early life and background
Koh was born on Jeju Island, the native region of the haenyeo community that later became the subject of her documentary work. Specific details regarding her birth date and early education are not widely documented.
Career
Koh’s career in filmmaking centers on documenting cultural heritage and social issues. Her most prominent work, Breathing Underwater (2016), was produced after she spent seven years on Jeju Island gathering footage of the haenyeo. The documentary contributed to broader efforts to raise awareness of the haenyeo tradition and supported its nomination for UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
The film premiered at the Korean Cultural Centre Australia and was subsequently screened at the London Korean Film Festival. In 2019, Koh was invited to present the documentary and related material at the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities in Sweden as part of a cultural exhibition commemorating sixty years of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Sweden.
Filmography
- Breathing Underwater (2016) – Director
References
- Wikipedia entry on Koh Heeyoung, which details her role as director of Breathing Underwater and related screenings.
- World KBS article on Koh’s invitation to the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Sweden.
- Various Korean cultural publications (Korea Magazine, Seoul Selection) covering the film’s exhibition history.