Daughters of the Sea

• Photographer
  Richard Seungmin Lee, Korea, Republic of

“I didn’t always used to be like this. Five years ago, I was working
in Seoul as a hairstylist. I hated my career. I hated my city lifestyle.
I came back to this island, my home, to seize what I wanted for
myself.”

“And what was that?" I asked her.

“To do the work of my ancestors, to earn them the recognition
they died without. I hope you can find your dream as well,
Richard.”

This 39 year-old, star haenyeo was Ji-Eh, or auntie as I call her
now. Little did I know that this would be the start of one of my
best and most inspirational friendships.

Awards 2017 National YoungArts Competition Photography Merit Winner