I know you want to study Korean. It might be because you wish you could understand the lines from your favorite K-Drama without subtitles (most likely), or maybe you want to confidently order tteokbokki in Hangul rather than point at pictures.

Although we’ve all agreed that learning Korean can be hard and frustrating, there are resources that create the experience of fun with noticing progress without burning you out.

So if you are a beginner or someone who is still struggling to make the decision to learn Korean, here is your comprehensive toolkit for studying Korean based on skills compiled for those who are looking to make progress while they vibe.

For Speaking: HelloTalk

If you have ever thought about texting real Koreans but feel social awkwardness, then HelloTalk will be your bestie. HelloTalk connects you with native speakers who correct your grammar, will send you voice notes, and even share memes.

It is not just another study app, but it is literally a global group chat where everyone is learning something. You can discuss various aspects of K-pop, share stories of daily life, or rant about how difficult verb endings are to learn. Either way, the biggest benefit for you is that you'll be learning natural expressions that Koreans actually say as opposed to clunky textbook phrases that sound robotic.

For Reading: Yonsei Korean Reading Series

If you want to progress from an "I can read Hangul" level to "I can actually understand this," the Yonsei reading books are definitely the books you need to achieve it. They are structured by levels of difficulty and contain a combination of short stories, dialogues, and comprehension exercises that help you build vocabulary and understanding of grammar in context.

The reading books start off with easy topics (like daily routines), then progress to slightly more complicated content (like culture, social issues, etc). This one will help you push yourself out of your comfort zone to learn better.

For Personalized Korean Classes: Hamkkechingu Online Classes  

Sometimes self-study can be difficult, and all you want is someone real to explain to you why the grammar particles keep stressing you out. That's our mission at Hamkkechingu, and it is what we deliver. It's an online platform focused on the Korean language that occurs in one-on-one or small group learning environments for students at any level who can easily learn at their own pace.

Activities include weekly study PDFs that simplify every lesson, speaking and reading practice time in every class, assignments that make sure you can actually practice (and remember), check-ins every other day in our private study group, so you never feel stuck, and a clear path from beginner to expert level Korean.

The teachers are relatable, flexible, and patient, and you will learn in your own time and create space for your own success rather than folks simply telling you the rules to memorize. Sign up here

For Shadowing: K-Drama and Variety Shows

Often, shadowing is defined as when you try to articulate what you hear to improve your pronunciation or develop better rhythm.

Select a drama or variety show that you genuinely appreciate, rewind it to repeat some of the lines, and follow along with the tone and pacing. It could be any drama, drama, but make sure it’s one you enjoy, and before long, you'll notice you are picking up common phrases, lexical units, and the little nuances in pronunciation that we foreigners often will miss altogether.

For YouTube Learning: Talk To Me In Korean (TTMIK)  

If you are looking to focus on learning through YouTube videos, then you should try TTMIK. Their videos are short, structured, and unbelievably beginner-friendly. They share grammar and pronunciation as well as the cultural part of learning in a way that feels accessible.

For Listening Practice: Cozy Time in Korean Podcast

This is for the lazy learners (no shame). Cozy Time in Korean is a chill podcast that tells short stories in slow, natural Korean. You want to learn and still do other things? This is it. Ideal for commutes, cooking, or even pretending to study while scrolling. You’ll innately acquire sentence rhythm, intonation, and common expressions. It’s almost like passive learning, but it works.

What am I saying, in essence? Don’t cheat yourself with just one study resource, speak on HelloTalk, study at your own pace at Hamkke, read with Yonsei, and binge your preferred dramas 100% guilt-free because entertainment is learning.

Take it one word, one sentence, one K-Drama at a time, and before you know it, you will be texting your Korean friends without Google Translate.

Idea Credit: Eri Ajibade