The Perception ans Formation of Authenticity in Jeju Haenyeo Culture : The Case of ‘Haenyeo’s Kitchen’ in Jeju

In previous studies, we confirmed that some of these attempts are appearing through a case study on the ‘Haenyeo’s Kitchen’ in Jeju and tourism resources based on authenticity are essential to maintain and enhance the sustainability of Jeju Haenyeo Culture. As a follow-up study, this study examined how the tourism resources of the Jeju Haenyeo Culture form authenticity by targeting the ‘Henyeo’s Kitchen’, which is attracting attention as an unusual case of tourism resources in Jeju Haenyeo Culture. This study classified authenticity into objective, constructive, and existential authenticity according to the type of composition, and analyzed how authenticity for each type was perceived and formed. As a result, regarding the perception of objective authenticity, the tourism producer focused on understanding and empathizing with the joys and sorrows of Jeju Haenyeo (Women Divers)’s life. Through the experience of the ‘Haenyeo’s Kitchen’, the tourists were able to fully recognize the joys and sorrows of the Jeju Haenyeo (Women Divers)’s life. Regarding the formation of constructive authenticity, the tourism producer focused on Jeju Haenyeo (Women Divers) rather than tourists, emphasizing that Jeju Haenyeo (Women Divers) should take pride in their jobs and be accompanied by improvement in social treatment and economic profit creation. Regarding the perception of existential authenticity, tourists appreciated that they were able to experience Jeju Haenyeo Culture realistically in a way different from the existing tourism activities in the ‘Haenyeo’s Kitchen’. Therefore, tourists’ interest in another way of experiencing Jeju Haenyeo Culture has increased significantly, but tourists’ sympathy for the continuity of visiting the ‘Henyeo’s Kitchen’ was relatively low.