Korean actress and TV personality Song Ji-hyo, left, with a haenyeo. Photo from BBC StudiosSouth Korean actress Song Ji-hyo, best known for her long-running stint on the variety show "Running Man," is set to star in a mini-series centered on Jeju Island's famed female divers, the haenyeo, the show's producer announced Wednesday.

The three-part series titled "Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo's Haenyeo Adventure" features Ji-hyo "free diving with the legendary haenyeo," BBC Studios, which is co-producing the program with Korean media company JTBC, said in a press release.

The haenyeo, typically women in their 80s, make their livelihood by plunging into the deep waters of Jeju to gather shellfish and other harvests. As a tradition that has existed for centuries, the haenyeo have been recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

"Most haenyeo start their training in the sea at the age of eight but Song Ji-hyo, will have to cram over 30 years’ worth of training into just a month," BBC Studios said.

Photo from BBC Studios

Ji-hyo, whose aunt is also a haenyeo, described her experience as "very special and meaningful."

"Having the opportunity to directly experience the lives of Jeju Island's haenyeo women and learn their way of life has been a precious opportunity that I'll never forget in my lifetime," she said.

"Through this series, I hope that audiences in Korea and throughout the world will gain a deeper understanding of the haenyeo community's deep heritage and precious traditions," she added.

Ryan Shiotani, senior vice president of content at BBC Studios Asia, said the show celebrates "the incredible lives of the haenyeo divers and immerse audiences in Song Ji-hyo's most personal and demanding challenge."

Meanwhile, Huh Jin, director of content production at JTBC, described the program as a "step to share Korea's precious culture with the world."

"Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo's Haenyeo Adventure" premieres on BBC Earth starting May 11 and will be available to Filipino audiences via Cignal channel 245.

Apart from "Running Man," Ji-hyo has starred in the romance series "Princess Hours" and "Was It Love?", as well as the historical drama "Jumong." Her film credits include "A Frozen Flower" and "Intruder."