Korean language learning does not need to be tedious and difficult. Luckily, there are ways to make it enjoyable and straightforward. The podcast is an incredible opportunity for Korean learners.
Using pre-recorded audio to learn a language isn’t new. It has long been a practical approach to studying.
The widespread availability of smartphones and the internet, along with technological advances, has led to numerous language tools. The podcast is one of them. It opens a world of possibilities for learners from far and wide that didn’t exist before.
Speaking from the beginning of your language journey is the most effective way to learn Korean. Hearing a Korean podcast helps you improve your listening skills and study your target language.
This is how children learn a language at the primary level, and it has the same impact on your brain. It benefits from accurate pronunciation, making it sound more authentic and precise.
Table of Contents
- Benefits of learning Korean with podcasts
- 24 Awesome Korean Podcasts for Korean Learners
- Final Words on Best Korean Language Podcasts
Benefits of learning Korean with podcasts
The finest podcasts are designed to take you on a trip to learn Korean. They usually start with the basics and then gradually build on what you’ve learned to provide detailed language knowledge.
The Korean language depends heavily on listening. This is because the written form rarely reflects the exact pronunciation. Still, the subtlety of Korean can be perfected only through active listening and speaking.
This can be the right tool to engage your auditory senses while learning Korean.
East Asian languages like Korean take time to learn. Tools like Podcasts can help you save time and accelerate your learning.
Podcasts are convenient, amusing, free or affordable, and easily accessible. It is so flexible that you can get access to it at your fingertips. Plus, it exposes you to mesmerizing Korean culture and tradition through real-life situations.
Thus, using it to learn, practice, and enrich your Korean skills makes sense.
Can you really learn Korean with podcasts?
The answer is both Yes and No.
There are many ways to learn a tricky tongue like Korean, from teachers and books to apps and audio lessons.
While podcasts, usually pre-recorded digital audio files, can benefit and be fun, they cannot alone help you achieve meaningfully in any language.
At best, it can supplement other educational resources. But, sure, it can help you improve and take your Korean language to the next level.
That itself is good enough, no?
How do you use podcasts to improve your Korean skills?
Many podcast apps let you adjust the playback speed. This may be a handy tool. The speed with which native speakers’ voices are heard is one of the most challenging aspects of learning a language.
Slowing down the podcast beats rewinding every few minutes. It allows you to catch the missed phrases and helps you better understand the enunciation.
Now comes the critical question of which podcast to choose and at what level.
The best option is the one that matches your current level of Korean proficiency, but that is too vague.
Most broadcasters cover different aspects per request and diverse audiences. So, there will always be some overlap.
Selecting the most challenging podcasts, usually based on humor and cultural and regional accents, would be better. This is, of course, if you are already fluent in Korean.
Otherwise, go with something simpler. Additionally, listen frequently, read while you listen, and take important notes for future reference. If you hear what you like, it can further advance your Korean language skills.
Listening to material posted by native speakers is successful. Subtitles or transcripts can also simplify your journey to Korean fluency.
Where to listen to Korean podcasts?
There are hundreds of podcasts. Although some are paid and require premium memberships, most are still 100% free.
You may sometimes need to pay for a recurring service on the platform. This is to unlock ad-free access, better sound quality, exclusive audio, and additional features. But that’s it.
You can listen to plenty of free episodes of Korean podcasts on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and SoundCloud. Plus, there are dozens of other platforms to choose from.
Talk To Me In Korean, based in Seoul, and other educational websites, such as KoreanClass101, create new content. This ensures that the podcast is current.
24 Awesome Korean Podcasts for Korean Learners
With so many advantages of studying Korean, it has become a popular language among youth. As a result, you can find hundreds of podcasts, with numbers increasing each year.
There are many outstanding podcasts (which we will look at shortly). They teach both the Korean language and about it. It could be a great start toward language learning: begin by discovering the language.
That being said, here are 24 podcasts for different levels of study.
Not all audio content is suitable for all learner levels. Thus, it has three parts: beginners, intermediate, and advanced.
Let’s start!
Best beginner-level Korean podcasts
This list comprises podcasts for those who have just started learning Korean. Whether we limit our knowledge to a few words and Hangul or can hold some initial conversations, this can help.
All of the beginner Korean podcasts below may require extra study materials, some of which are provided for your studies.
Will you take the TOPIK beginner test I (levels 1 and 2) soon? If so, these easy-to-understand Korean podcasts can help. Take a closer look!
1. KoreanClass 101
The company behind the well-known Pod101 courses has created KoreanClass101. This is a comprehensive resource accessible through a monthly subscription.
The site offers over 1,500 audio and video courses, each lasting fifteen minutes. It also has thousands of quizzes, podcast-style dialogues, flashcards, notes, and translations.
If you know some Korean, you can take intermediate or advanced courses or start at the “absolute beginner” level.
There’s also a mobile app and downloadable PDFs of the episodes to help you keep up with your studies on the move. Lesson notes, flashcards, and line-by-line audio recordings are also available.
2. Real-Life Korean Conversations
The Real-Life Korean Conversations for Beginners podcast is excellent. Many learners have praised it for its quality.
This Korean podcast offers individual and combination audio courses. Many free episodes are available on Apple’s iTunes, Spotify, or SoundCloud.
The Real-Life Korean Conversations for Beginners, based in Seoul, is regularly updated with new material. The podcasts also discuss issues trending in South Korea and how to communicate with your supervisor in Korean.
So, whether you’re interested in studying in South Korea or are planning to move to Korea, you will find something valuable.
3. Let’s Learn Korean
Let’s Learn Korean is an incredible place to start if you want a free series to learn the basics. KBS World, a South Korean television business, produces this podcast.
It’s intended for native English speakers and those who speak French, Spanish, German, and other languages.
You may also listen to brief talks you would hear in the airport, post office, or other places in Korea. This beginner-level podcast is both educational and enjoyable.
4. Talk To Me In Korean for Grammar
Do you want to learn Korean grammar through podcasts?
Check out Talk To Me In Korean (TTMIK) Core Grammar Lessons. This is ideal for diving deep into Korean grammar rules and how to use them in daily practice.
Listen to Talk To Me In Korean – Core Korean Grammar, one of the most popular Korean podcasts. They use a similar format on the TTMIK website and in their free, bite-sized grammar textbooks.
They discuss topics such as grammar lessons, famous Korean foods, travel, and work. The team, comprising Hyunwoo and Kyeong-eun, produces new episodes regularly, so be sure to get fresh, quality, and relevant content.
5. Survival Phrases
Although the Survival Phrases podcast has been discontinued, the archives contain some exciting material. The series focuses on essential words that may benefit visitors to South Korea.
The classes were never dull and included a wealth of knowledge. This includes Korean vocabulary, phrases, syntax, and pronunciation in a practical setting.
No transcripts are accessible, but the host does a fantastic job of breaking down new lines and analyzing the intricacies of the language.
6. Learn Korean with David
On Spotify, this is one of the most beginner-friendly Korean podcasts. With over a hundred episodes as of this writing, you will never run out of things to learn.
The first few episodes cover fundamental Korean phrases such as “hi,” “goodbye,” and “thank you.” Then, it moves on to more popular words and themes, such as shopping, holidays, and money.
When conversing with locals and native Korean speakers, these are pretty handy.
7. Hangugeo Con Angduck for Beginners
Do you want to learn introductory Korean through day-to-day Korean activities? Then check out “Hangugeo Con Angduck for Beginners” on Spotify.
It may be difficult for those who are just starting to learn Korean. But if you are an upper beginner or lower intermediate, this can benefit you.
The podcast focuses on daily vocabulary and phrases. It relates to music, greetings, work, cinemas, food, etc. Thus, listening to these episodes is effortless and shorter.
8. Learn Korean the Easy Way
Learn Korean the Easy Way is simply a terrific podcast for learning Korean. The pronunciation is transparent so that you can hear almost all syllables.
This Spotify playlist has nine complete lessons. Two tracks are 12-13 minutes long, while the remaining seven range from 40 to 90 minutes.
Keep in mind that the episodes introduce Korean sounds using the Roman alphabet. For beginners, that’s a great shortcut. Still, Hangul will be necessary at some point in your Korean studies.
9. Learn Korean by KBS World Radio
KBS World Radio, a South Korean broadcaster, offers high-quality content in multiple languages, including Arabic, Spanish, English, and Chinese.
KBS World Radio’s content is diverse, covering news, dramas, films, K-pop, and more.
You can learn Korean via their brief dialogues and many sections of Korean language classes. While it has two difficulty levels, it is suitable for beginners and elementary learners.
It provides an outlet for learning and understanding various things about the Korean language. However, the site is a bit confusing to navigate. Some may find audio recordings, such as robotic TTS (text-to-speech), less human-sounding.
Best Intermediate-level Korean podcasts
Have you been learning Korean for a while and need authentic lessons to take your next step? Then watch for these top podcasts for lower- and upper-intermediate learners!
This category comprises podcasts designed for students above the elementary level. If you prepare for the TOPIK Intermediate (levels 3 and 4), this can benefit you. Here are some great ones!
10. Hangugeo con AngDuck (Intermediate)
You can also check Hangugeo con AngDuck if you are an intermediate-level learner. Her podcast provides new lessons regularly, covering a range of topics and difficulty levels.
Her topics are unique, and she immerses you in Korean through many episodes. You can hear it all the time, which encourages you to absorb the natural flow of Korean.
She covers many topics. E.g., Korean customers, comparisons, life in South Korea, language study, must-watch Korean thriller films, shopping, food, and dramas. And the list is pretty much never-ending.
11. Sponge Mind
Sponge Mind is one of the most famous Korean-language podcasts.
They recorded every episode in both English and Korean. You can listen to it in English first to familiarize yourself with the subject matter before switching to Korean.
Because the podcast does not use typical language-learning methods, getting acclimated may take some time. But the broadcasters do an excellent job of keeping listeners interested by raising engaging topics.
12. The Legit Korean
Do you want to study Korean while learning about the nation’s culture? This is one of the most outstanding Korean podcasts.
After each episode, the host assigns a speaking task and asks listeners to send voice recordings via Instagram.
On her next podcast show, she plays these recordings. This allows her to highlight her listeners, correct mistakes, and encourage others.
13. Iyagi
This Korean podcast, produced by the same team as Talk To Me In Korean (TTMIK), was discontinued in 2018. Yet, it’s still one of the most valuable Korean podcasts if you’re a little beyond the newbie level.
You can listen to and follow along with authentic discussions among native Korean speakers on this podcast. The topics covered are daily life, job, education, travel, and hobbies.
Although the podcast is entirely in Korean, you can download transcripts and translations to make it easier to follow.
14. The Motivate Korean Language Podcast
The Motivate Korean Podcast encourages committed Korean language learners to keep going. It discusses the Korean learning process and shares personal experiences.
This podcast offers advice on staying motivated and improving your Korean abilities. They do this by altering your perspective on the language.
Although the podcast is in English, intermediate learners who need more motivation to reach the next level will find it helpful.
15. Sparkling Korean
Do you want to know more about Korea and, at the same time, improve your Korean language skills? Check Sparkling Korean!
Sparkling Korean is a 50-episode intermediate-level podcast that covers a range of topics. For example, you’ll learn how to discuss the weather, the date, and the time.
Although the host speaks slowly enough for intermediate speakers, this podcast may be too advanced for novices.
16. Kingka Podcast for Kdrama & Kmovie
Do you want to learn Korean through Kdrama and films?
If so, check out Kingka podcasts. This is for anyone interested in Korean culture and language, seen and heard in K-Drama and K-movies.
Romelando, the creator, is not a native. Yet, he is a skilled and passionate Korean language learner. He uses English and Korean to cover an extensive range of new words and cultural aspects of Korean dramas.
His podcasts enable listeners to enjoy hundreds of episodes of popular dramas, such as Minari (미나리), Dream High 2 (드림하이 2), 18 Again (18어게인), Thirty-Nine (서른, 아홉), Mr. Queen (철인왕후), Twenty-Five Twenty-One (스물다섯 스물하나), and many more.
You can listen to his podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Castro, Podcast Addict, and Castbox. His episodes also help you in learning Korean with movies.
He also updates on Korean ASMR for language learners through the constellation.
17. Essential Korean Podcast
With Essential Korean, you can learn Korean from ground zero to the advanced level in a high-quality and straightforward manner. Kay, an experienced trainer, is the host of the Essential Korean Podcast.
She allows you to practice speaking Korean through a variety of podcasts while visualizing scenarios. The host also gives tips on improving your Korean practice and questions to check what you have studied.
Her website offers full transcripts and lesson notes for each episode. This can help you enhance your reading and writing skills as well. Also, you can access transcripts and lesson recaps only through a premium subscription.
Do you want to learn Korean through K-music? The good news is you can get many bite-sized mini-lessons to understand music. The two types of content include language-focused explanations and culturally related material.
18. Twinkling Korean
Twinkling Korean sometimes features bilingual conversations between Korean and English speakers. Despite this, most of the over 100 episodes are in Korean.
It does not immediately overwhelm you with grammatical rules. Later episodes include grammar. But they’re usually given in context with real-life examples and many new vocabulary words.
While the audio doesn’t work on several platforms and websites, it does on Apple Podcasts.
19. Korean NewYorker
Originally from Seoul, Sophie lives in New York as a certified Korean and French teacher.
She introduces a few new words and reinforces everyday used words through 5-minute episodes. In addition, she shares her story and experiences on various Korean topics through this podcast, such as transcription.
Teaching foreign languages and language acquisition are the two main topics she often discusses. She also sometimes talks about raising a bilingual child and her relationships.
Her podcasts and audio diaries will help you improve your pronunciation and daily use of vocabulary.
Best Advanced-level Korean podcasts
This is helpful for advanced learners who need more motivation to approach near-native-level proficiency.
Are you an advanced learner who needs more listening exercises? Maybe less common words, complex grammar rules, and exposure?
Well, this is for you. These advanced Korean podcasts can also help you study for TOPIK advanced (Levels 5 and 6). Don’t miss out!
20. Learn Korean and Korean Culture
Jerry hosts the podcast Learn Korean and Korean Culture. He is a Korean-American with experience living in both the U.S. and Korea.
The podcast explores Korean culture, including food, holidays, and K-pop, in Korean and English. Jerry also provides a vocabulary list for each episode, which you may review after class.
If you enjoy audio episodes that explore various cultural aspects of Korea and can understand sophisticated Korean conversations, listen to this Korean podcast.
21. Talk To Me In 100% Korean
A new podcast for advanced learners is available from the creators of Talk To Me in Korean and Iyagi.
In Talk To Me In 100 Percent Korean, Kyeong-Eun and Hyunwoo converse about various topics. The Talk To Me In Korean website has transcripts and translations of the discussion.
Do you already feel confident in your Korean listening and comprehension skills?
You want to increase your Korean listening skills by expanding your Korean vocabulary. If so, listen to this Korean podcast. You will surely like it.
22. Korean Listening Practice
Korean is difficult to learn. It is complex, with many rules, honorifics, dialects, and varieties. As a result, listening is integral to any learner’s language goal.
Korean Listening Practice is an app for Korean learners that provides audio information. As far as podcasts go, this isn’t one. Native speakers will use typical phrases and sentences and pronounce them correctly.
The difficulty levels range from easy to complex. Plus, you get access to hours of listening comprehension and practice possibilities. This includes news and generic topics. You can also download these podcasts.
23. Breathe in Korean
Fluency implies ‘living’ the language; you’ll be doing that with this Korean podcast. The Breathe in Korean podcast has inspiring quotations from various literary works in Korean and English.
It’s informative, motivating, and relaxing. If you are an advanced learner who needs more exposure and listening practice, listen to this likable Korean podcast.
If you enjoy reading and want to hear your favorite novels read in Korean, here is the place to go.
24. Podbbang — A group of K-Podcasts
Visit Podbbang to sample native-speaker content. This Korean podcast site offers endless channels.
Podbbang focuses on helping students improve their speaking skills. It explains Korean subtleties in many publications on the Korean language.
You can also see Jung Young-jin and Choi Wook’s Maebul program for comedy and Kim Eo-Jun’s News Factory for current affairs. Then, Song Eun-i & Kim Sook’s confidential counseling and relationship guidance.
Final Words on Best Korean Language Podcasts
Podcasts are a perfect way to learn, practice, improve, and explore the fascinating world of the Korean language and culture.
It is a combination of authentic and entertaining. Your understanding of Korean will likely improve over time as you continue to expose yourself to the language.
There you have it! Here are 24 excellent podcasts; you can also choose one at your level. So, level up your Korean skills with these podcasts.
Since most are free to use, you can subscribe to any you want. Make sure you use it regularly to help with your Korean language skills and have fun learning this beautiful language!
With these podcasts for learning Korean, you’re well on your way to Korean fluency faster than ever.
Did I miss any top-notch Korean learning podcasts? What is your favorite one? You can share your views and questions in the comments.
