The 1970s, a small seaside village. Here live the Haenyeo women, who make a living by gathering seafood while diving underwater without special equipment. But one day, construction begins on a factory nearby, causing the women to lose their source of income. The women are forced to turn to smuggling, a venture involving Chun Ja, her friend Oh Jin-sook—who leads a group of female divers—and the true king of the smugglers, Police Senior Sergeant Kwon Pil-sam.