Upper Beginner · Level 2
Read real Korea,
one short story at a time.
24 illustrated stories about everyday life in Korea today — 1+1 deals, team dinners, the pink subway seat, Chuseok songpyeon. Written at your level, with the English waiting on the same page when you need it.
$54Get instant access · $34See inside ↓
Is this the right book?
Can you read this?
This is the first page of Story 1. Read it in Korean first, then tap to check.
저는 한 달 전에 서울에 왔어요. 우리 집 바로 앞에는 편의점이 있어요. 한국 편의점에는 정말 없는 게 없어요. 삼각김밥, 라면, 도시락… 그리고 24시간 문을 열어요.
Show the English
I came to Seoul a month ago. Right in front of my place, there's a convenience store. Korean convenience stores have everything: triangle kimbap, ramyeon, lunch boxes… and they're open 24 hours.
Most of it was new?
Start with Your First Korean Stories — 24 stories using only the most common Korean words.
See the Level 1 book →Got most of it?
This book is for you. The stories grow a little longer as you go, and every one teaches a new pattern.
Start Level 2 ↓
Meet your teacher
Hi, I'm Hailey 👋
Once you can read Hangeul and know a few hundred words, textbooks start to feel far away from real life. Nobody in them fights over the bill, calls the server 이모, or wonders why their friend says 우리 엄마.
So I wrote the stories I wish my students had: short, funny, a little surprising, and all about how people in Korea actually live today. You read the Korean first, and the English is right there on the same page when you need it.
— Hailey · @korean_hailey
What you’ll get out of it
By the end, you'll be able to…
Read a whole page in Korean
Stories grow from about 100 to 140 words, so your reading grows with them.
Use 38 new patterns
-(으)ㄹ 때마다, -는 동안, -(으)ㄹ 뻔하다… each one shown in the story, then explained.
Understand everyday Korea
Why people ask your birth year, who pays, what to do with trash — the things no one explains.
Talk about it yourself
Every story ends with a question about your own life, so the Korean becomes yours.
What's inside
24 stories, and everything you need to read them
24 short stories
Four parts: Food, People, Everyday Places and Special Days.
72 illustrations
Three per story, so the picture helps you guess before you check.
Translation box
Korean first, English in a box below — look only when you need to.
38 pattern pages
The line from the story, three new examples, and how to attach it.
24 culture notes
A short, friendly note on the real Korea behind each story.
Words & questions
Key words, three questions and a “Your turn” for every story, with answers.
Word index & pattern list
Find any word or pattern again in seconds.
Audio for every story
Hailey is recording all 24 tracks now. They’ll be added to your library for free.
Instant PDF
138 pages. Read on your phone, tablet or computer, or print at home.
Look inside
See it before you buy
Real pages from the book.
Every story opens with an illustration
Korean first · English in the box below
72 illustrations, 3 per story
Words, questions & your turn
Pattern page + culture note
Word index at the back
📱 Works on phone, tablet & computer — instant PDF
How it works
Every story follows one simple rhythm
1
Read
Three illustrated pages. Try the Korean first; the English is in the box below.
2
Check
Key words, three questions and a question about your own life.
3
Learn the pattern
See the pattern from the story, three new examples, and how to make it yourself.
24 stories
Life in Korea, from convenience stores to Seollal
Part 1 · Food
Part 2 · People
Part 3 · Everyday Places
Part 4 · Special Days
Who it's for
Made for you if…
You finished Your First Korean Stories and want the next step.
You can read Hangeul and simple polite sentences, and want to read more than one line at a time.
You love Korean dramas and variety shows and want to understand the everyday culture in them.
You're studying Korean Patterns · Level 2 and want to see patterns inside real stories.
You want something short and fun you can read in one sitting.
You're planning a trip to Korea, or you already live there.
Get the book
Get all 24 stories — $34
Korean Culture Stories · Level 2
$54$34
One-time payment · instant digital download
- ✓24 illustrated stories in four parts
- ✓72 illustrations — three for every story
- ✓38 patterns with examples and how to make them
- ✓24 culture notes, key words, questions & answers
- ✓Word index & pattern list
- ✓Audio for every story — coming soon, free for buyers
- ✓138-page PDF · lifetime access — download anytime, print at home
Instant download · works on phone, tablet & computer
Level 2 set
Get all three Level 2 books and save
Culture Stories shows you patterns and word combos in real Korean life. Add Korean Patterns · Level 2 and Korean Word Combos · Level 2 to read, speak and choose the right words. All three Level 2 books for $69 ($97 separately).
Get all three Level 2 books · $69💳 Paying by card? Get the set here →
Questions
Good to know
What level is this for?
Upper beginner. You can read Hangeul and simple polite sentences, and you know common everyday words. Try the sample near the top of this page: if you understood most of it, you're ready.
How is this different from Your First Korean Stories?
Your First Korean Stories uses only the most common words. This book is the next step: the stories are a little longer, each one teaches a new pattern, and they're all about real life in Korea today.
When is the audio coming?
Hailey is recording all 24 tracks now. When they're ready, they'll be added to the same page where you download the book, for free, and we'll email you.
Is there romanization?
No. At this level you'll be reading Hangeul. Every page has an English translation box, and the key words are listed after each story.
Do the stories connect?
No. Each story stands on its own, with its own characters, so you can start anywhere. They do get a little longer from Part 1 to Part 4.
What format is it?
A 138-page PDF. Read it on your phone, tablet or computer, or print it at home. It's a digital book, not a physical one.
What payment methods can I use?
PayPal at checkout. If PayPal doesn't work for you, you can pay by card through the link under the buy button.
Ready for your
next Korean story?
24 stories about real life in Korea — let's read them together.
