Being a mermaid is often romanticized as a magical and enchanting role, gliding gracefully through water and dazzling audiences with stunning performances.
But for many women working as professional mermaids in China and South Korea, the reality is far from the fantasy.
Instead of living a dream, these performers are enduring grueling conditions that resemble forced labor.
They’re performing in unsafe, unhealthy environments, with little to no medical care, and receiving paltry pay for their hard work.
Brutal Working Conditions and Dangerous Risks
Maria, a Russian sprint swimmer, arrived in South Korea in 2024 with high hopes after signing a contract to work as a mermaid performer in an aquarium.
She was promised a structured schedule with reasonable hours and a salary of about £1,100 a month. However, the reality was much harsher.
“No one cared about the contract,” Maria shared. She was forced to dive 70 times a day, leaving her exhausted and often injured.
Despite constant headaches and frequent injuries, the managers ignored her complaints.
The conditions were not just physically demanding. The mermaids were made to share their tanks with sea creatures whose waste caused skin reactions and respiratory issues.
Things got even worse when Maria sustained an injury during a performance.
Instead of being allowed to recover, she was immediately put back into the water to continue performing.
This brutal treatment led five other mermaids to escape from a South Korean aquarium in 2024, desperate for freedom.
A Nightmare Situation in China
The situation for mermaids working in China is equally grim.
Demand for performers is so high that sick leave is not an option, no matter how ill or injured the workers may be.
On January 28, 2025, a Russian mermaid, known as Masha, suffered a terrifying attack while performing in front of a group of families at Xishuangbanna Primitive Forest Park in Yunnan, China.
A giant sturgeon clamped its jaws around her face as she performed, causing panic among the audience.
Though Masha managed to escape, she was left with painful injuries and was forced to return to the water before she had fully recovered.
The situation grew even more alarming when reports revealed that Masha had been offered just £78 in “moral damages” after the attack.
She was also reportedly told to keep quiet about the incident, as the bosses attempted to cover it up.
Her wounds included deep bruises and abrasions around her neck and eyes, raising serious concerns about the safety of these performers.
Trapped in a System of Exploitation
What was once seen as a dream job has turned into a nightmare for many of these women, who feel as though they’re treated like machines.
With no medical leave, no protection, and no way to escape, they’re left to endure the physical and emotional toll of their work. For some, running away is the only option to escape the harsh reality.
Daria, a 26-year-old mermaid, spoke out about the physical and mental challenges of the job.
She explained how the joy of swimming can quickly disappear when the job becomes too tiring and stressful.
Daria’s friend, Alina, had to train for two years to get used to the physical demands of wearing a monofin before she received her first contract.
But the physical challenges don’t end there. There’s also an overwhelming focus on appearance.
In both South Korea and China, mermaids are expected to meet strict beauty standards, with their selection often based on photos and videos.
The pressure to maintain a certain image adds another layer of stress to their already difficult job.
The Growing Popularity of Mermaid Performances
Despite the harsh working conditions, the industry remains popular, especially in China.
In 2024, nearly 100 mermaid performers from China and abroad competed in the 2024 China Mermaid Open & International Mermaid Competition in Shanghai.
The competition, held at the Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park, attracted divers from countries like South Korea and Kazakhstan, with winners being crowned male and female champions.
The popularity of the sport continues to grow, but at what cost to those who are forced to perform in unsafe conditions?
As more performers speak out about the exploitation they face, the question remains: How many others are still trapped in this dangerous and demanding world, struggling to break free from the depths?