A1 Korean Stories
Build confidence with beginner Korean stories using everyday vocabulary, clear plots, and helpful key words.
The Kkwaenggwari That Rang Too Early at the Harvest Dance
A young boy named Minjun accidentally plays his traditional instrument at the wrong time during a festival, but finds encouragement from his teacher and others.
The Haegeum Left on the Temple Steps Overnight
A story about a girl who finds a traditional Korean instrument called a haegeum on temple steps.
The Royal Messenger Who Arrived One Day Too Late
A story about a royal messenger who struggles to deliver a letter in time to save a prisoner's life.
The Taekwondo Board That Refused to Break
Jiwoo learns the importance of his mindset during a difficult Taekwondo exam.
The Last Topknot Cut on Gwanghwamun Street
A young boy named Junho experiences a significant cultural change in 1895 Korea when he is forced to cut his traditional topknot.
The Homework Slipped Under the Wrong Door
A student accidentally slips his homework under the wrong door.
The Bear Bell That Rang Twice on Jirisan
Minjun feels nervous while walking on Jirisan until he hears the sound of another bear bell.
The Temple Stay Bell That Rang Before the Sun Rose
A story about Minjun, a man from the busy city of Seoul, who finds peace while experiencing a temple stay in the mountains.
The Desk Still Set for Two After Transfer Day
A girl named Jina welcomes a new student to her classroom, filling the void left by her friend who transferred.
The Makgeolli Jar Sealed Too Soon Before Winter
Suah tries to help her grandmother by making makgeolli before winter, but learns an important lesson about the process.
돌잔치 사진에서 사라진 고모
A story about a boy named Minjun who discovers a mystery involving his aunt in an old family photo.
The Yut Stick That Landed Face-Down on New Year's Eve
A family plays a traditional Korean game on New Year's Eve with a special rule for the losers.
The Empty Hook Where the Neighbor's Dosirak Always Hung
A story about a girl named Jisu who discovers the secret behind the lunchbox hanging on her neighbor's door.
The Wild Boar Tracks That Circled the Campfire Twice
A hiker named Jisu discovers mysterious wild boar tracks around her campfire in the mountains.
The Songpyeon That Wasn't Sweet Enough for Chuseok
A young girl named Jisu learns the secret to making delicious Songpyeon for the Chuseok holiday.
한양 성문을 닫지 않은 수문장의 밤
A gate guard must decide whether to follow the rules or help people in danger.
The Imugi That Swam Upriver on Harvest Moon Night
A girl named Sua helps a magical creature on Chuseok night.
The Tiger Who Waits on Bukhansan
A young girl named Jisu encounters a mysterious tiger on a mountain while carrying a special letter.
The Seat Saved at the Back of the Village Bus
A story about a girl named Jisu who saves a seat for her friend on the bus every morning.
광장시장 빈대떡집의 마지막 맷돌
At a busy market festival, Jisu helps her grandmother repair an old millstone and make delicious mung bean pancakes.
The Fortune Slip That Refused to Tie to the Branch
A girl learns a valuable life lesson from an unexpected fortune she receives at a temple.
The Lucky Coin Left at the Wrong Apartment Door
A story about a girl named Jisu who accidentally finds a lucky coin that wasn't meant for her.
군대 간 형에게서 온 빈 편지
Jisoo worries about a blank letter from his older brother serving in the army, but learns that his brother sent it to keep their promise.
낙원상가 수리점에 돌아온 첫 기타
A guitar repairman discovers that a worn guitar brought to his shop was the first guitar he ever repaired.
덕수궁 돌담길에 처음 켜진 전등
This story tells how the first electric lights changed the dark stone-wall road beside Deoksugung Palace in Seoul.
성주신이 이사 트럭에 오르지 않은 이유
This story follows a family moving to a new house and making sure the house guardian, Seongjushin, comes with them.
정선아리랑 장단을 놓친 어린 소리꾼
This story follows a young singer who loses the rhythm during a performance but finds it again.
제주 올레길에서 사라진 파란 화살표
Mina follows clues on Jeju's Olle Trail after a blue arrow disappears and helps an elderly woman find the way.
중고 거래 장소에 세 사람이 나온 날
Minjun meets two different buyers named Sujin while selling a red chair at a subway station.
PC방 결승전에서 멈춘 스페이스바
During a PC bang final, Minho and Sujin must win after Minho's spacebar gets stuck.
제주 곶자왈의 숨골에서 들린 두 번째 휘파람
A brave girl hears a second whistle in Jeju's gotjawal forest and helps an injured man.
홍대 무인 사진관에서 한 장 더 나온 사진
Jisu and Minho find Minho’s missing key through a mysterious extra photo at a self-service photo studio.
The Lighthouse Keeper's Signal That Blinked on a Calm Night
A girl notices a strange light from the lighthouse at night and learns its secret meaning from her grandfather.