Korean · English · A1–A2

Easy Korean short stories for beginners, with English translation (A1–A2)

Short stories written in simple Korean for learners, with the English beside every paragraph. Short enough to finish in one sitting, simple enough for your first months of Korean.

171 beginner stories in Korean, 133 of them free

Each one opens in your browser with no account, the Korean and the English side by side, paragraph by paragraph, shortest first. Every free story is also a free Korean–English ebook for Kindle, Kobo or any e-reader: downloading needs a free account, no payment (which file to pick).

The stories at this level come from 완전 처음부터, original Korean stories written for the library.

The stories at this level come from 처음 읽는 이야기, original Korean stories written for the library.

The stories at this level come from 24번 버스, original Korean stories written for the library.

The stories at this level come from 진짜 인생, original Korean stories written for the library.

The stories at this level come from 쉬운 고전 A2, original Korean stories written for the library.

The stories at this level come from 일상 대화, original Korean stories written for the library.

The stories at this level come from 아시아 옛이야기, original Korean stories written for the library.

The stories at this level come from 레몬 하우스의 여름, original Korean stories written for the library.

The stories at this level come from 크리스마스 연극, original Korean stories written for the library.

The stories at this level come from 쉬운 이야기, original Korean stories written for the library.

The stories at this level come from 밤의 빵집, original Korean stories written for the library.

Open the beginner Korean–English stories in the library, where you can search them and switch to another level or pair.

To listen as you read, see the Korean stories with audio.

What beginner Korean stories are like

These stories are written for the level, not translated down to it: everyday settings, short sentences, the words a beginner meets first, and a plot worth finishing.

The classics start at B1. Even a short fable becomes full, old-fashioned prose once translated, so the fables and fairy tales sit one level up, as the first step after these.

How to read Korean at A1–A2

Read the English first if you need to

At A1 there is no shame in reading a paragraph in English, then the Korean. You are matching words to meaning, and the paragraph beside it makes that quick.

Finish, then reread

Read the whole story once, glancing across whenever you are lost. The second time, cover the English and look only when you are stuck. Most readers are surprised how much stayed.

Collect a few words, not every word

Pick three or four words per story that keep coming back and learn those. The rest will return in the next story.

More on the method in how to read a parallel text.