A2 Korean Stories
Practice reading at A2 with graded stories, audio, images, vocabulary support, and comprehension quizzes.
The Drum That Beat Before the City Gates Closed
A kind man uses his big drum to help people get inside the city gates before they close at night.
The Seat Left Empty at the School Play
A young girl named Jisu feels sad when her mother is late for her school performance, but everything changes when she finally arrives.
The Honey Citron Tea Left for the Wrong Guest
A story about a café employee who accidentally serves a honey citron tea to the wrong customer.
Penalty Kick Off Target
A young soccer player named Jiwoo learns that friendship is more important than winning when he misses a penalty kick.
The Cuckoo That Called Over the Barley Too Early
A young child observes the barley field and learns from their grandfather about a cuckoo bird that sings too early.
The Footprints That Stopped at the Frozen Creek
Two friends follow a mysterious set of footprints in the snow to find out what happened to their neighbor.
The Jangseung Post That Turned Away from the Road Before Dawn
A mysterious story about a boy who learns the meaning behind a totem pole's strange behavior at dawn.
The Jesa Table Set Without the Youngest Daughter
A story about a daughter who misses a traditional family memorial ceremony and her mother's quiet reaction.
우포늪에서 혼자 겨울을 난 따오기
This story follows an ibis that survives the winter alone at Upo Wetland and teaches people the value of protecting nature and waiting patiently.
종묘제례악 연주자가 한 박자를 비운 이유
A young musician learns that silence and sound are both important parts of a traditional Korean performance.
The Fog Over Boseong Before the First Tea Picking
A young girl named Jisu helps her grandmother pick the first tea leaves of the season in the misty Boseong tea fields.
한강 밤섬을 떠나지 않은 겨울 철새
This story follows a young winter migratory bird that stays on Bamseom, adapts to changes in the river, and eventually joins other birds.
첫차가 오기 전에 사라진 버스 정류장 의자
Mina follows clues to find out why a bus stop bench disappeared before the first bus arrived.
The Haenyeo's Last Abalone
An elderly female diver named Kim Sun-hee fulfills a heartfelt promise to her granddaughter by catching one last abalone for her wedding porridge.
The Celadon Shard Beneath the Kiln Floor in Icheon
Jisu visits a pottery town in Icheon and discovers a piece of history hidden under an old kiln floor.
The Bicycle Returned with Dry Tires After Three Days of Rain
A girl discovers the mystery behind why her bicycle returned to her home clean and dry after three days of heavy rain.
한라장사 결승에서 샅바를 다시 묶은 심판
This story is about a referee who reties a loose satba during a Korean wrestling final to protect both athletes.
The Fox Fire That Lit the Wrong Mountain Path
A story about a young man who encounters a mysterious light while trying to visit his sick grandmother at night.
The Speed Skater Who Changed Lanes at the Final Curve
A determined speed skater competes in a national final and finds respect in an unexpected way from his greatest rival.
안동 헛제삿밥에 제사가 없던 날
This story follows Sujin as she learns how Andong's traditional heotjesapsap carries old food traditions and warm community feelings into the present.
독도 우체통에 도착한 주소 없는 엽서
A postal worker helps a man send a postcard to remember a promise he made to his late father.
The Barley Rice Cooked for the Table That Was Never Set
A grandmother cooks barley rice every Sunday for her daughter who left home three years ago, hoping for a reunion.
The Talchum Mask Left Facing the Wall Before the Festival
Minjun, a young boy learning traditional dance, discovers the hidden meaning behind an old, mysterious mask in his practice room.
The Rice Cooker Still On in the Empty Apartment Upstairs
A story about a woman who discovers a mysterious smell and a glowing rice cooker in an empty apartment upstairs.
The Gayageum String That Broke Before the Last Note
A story about a determined girl named Jisu who learns a valuable lesson about music and courage during a Gayageum competition.
The Wrong Signal Fire Before the Imjin War
A young soldier at a signal station faces a difficult decision when he sees ships approaching the coast before the Imjin War.
부산 피란학교의 마지막 출석부
This story follows a refugee-school teacher who helps a student receive a stamped school certificate before leaving Busan.
세탁기 속에서 발견된 어린이 교통카드
Minseo finds a child's transportation card in her washing machine and helps return it to Doyun before his school trip.
The Class Photo Where Two Friends Aren't Looking
A story about two friends who reconcile after a misunderstanding involving a broken secret.
망원시장 보관함에 매주 놓이는 귤 세 개
Two old friends reconnect through three tangerines left every week in a market locker.
The Train Ticket Bought for Two, Used by One
A story about a girl named Jisu who takes a solo trip to Busan after her boyfriend cancels their plans.
The Lantern That Floated Farthest at Jinju
A young girl named Sua travels to Jinju to honor her late grandfather by participating in a traditional lantern festival.
The Bamboo Grove That Whispers Before a Storm in Damyang
A woman seeking answers about her career finds clarity and peace in a whispering bamboo grove before a storm.
The Boy Who Wrestled the Village Champion
A young boy named Junho trains with his injured father to defeat the arrogant village wrestling champion.
The Seal Pressed in Haste on the Wrong Decree
A story about a clerk in the Joseon dynasty who accidentally seals the wrong official document and must quickly correct his mistake to save a life.
팥죽 냄새를 피해 다니는 동지 귀신
A young woman helps a ghost return his mother's silver ring before midnight.
제주 돌하르방의 코를 두 번 만지면 안 되는 밤
On a stormy night in Jeju, Sora touches a Dolhareubang twice while searching for her injured younger brother and loses a precious memory.
새벽 배송 상자에 찍힌 모르는 집 주소
At dawn, Hana takes a misdelivered food box to an elderly woman and discovers how a small act of kindness can help someone.