Learn Korean Online with Expert Teachers
From Hangul basics to TOPIK exam prep and K-drama fluency.
One-on-one lessons with native Korean teachers. All levels A1 to C2 — conversational, business, TOPIK I & II prep.
Why Learn Korean?
K-Drama & K-Pop Culture
Korean content dominates global streaming. Understanding Korean unlocks Squid Game, BTS, NewJeans, and thousands of hours of media exactly as intended — no subtitles needed.
Korea's Global Economy
South Korea is the world's 13th-largest economy. Samsung, Hyundai, LG, and POSCO are all Korean — fluency is a genuine career advantage in tech, manufacturing, and finance.
Hangul Is Surprisingly Fast to Learn
King Sejong designed Hangul in 1443 to be learnable in days. Most new learners can read and write Hangul within a week — one of the most logical writing systems in the world.
Korean Learning Paths
Conversational Korean
Everyday Korean for travel to Seoul, connecting with Korean friends, and understanding dramas and variety shows without subtitles. Focus on natural speech.
TOPIK Preparation (I & II)
TOPIK is the official Korean proficiency test (Levels 1–6). Structured prep for TOPIK I (beginner) and TOPIK II (intermediate–advanced) with certified teachers.
K-Drama & K-Pop Korean
Learn the vocabulary, slang, and honorific system used in Korean entertainment. Understand song lyrics, variety show jokes, and drama dialogue in context.
Business Korean
Formal register, business card etiquette, email conventions, and meeting language for professionals working with Korean companies or relocating to Seoul.
Featured Korean Teachers
Jiyeon K.
Seoul, South Korea
Seoul National University, Linguistics · 9 yrs
Conversational Korean & K-drama vocabulary
Minjun P.
Busan, South Korea
Korea University, Korean Language Education · 11 yrs
TOPIK I & II exam prep — beginner to advanced
Soyeon L.
Los Angeles, USA (Korean diaspora)
UCLA East Asian Languages · 7 yrs
Heritage Korean & everyday conversation for adults
CEFR Levels & TOPIK Equivalents
| CEFR | What you can do | TOPIK | Study Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1–A2 | Hangul reading/writing, greetings, basic sentence patterns (SOV), numbers and dates | TOPIK I Level 1–2 | 80–150 hrs |
| B1–B2 | Everyday conversation, honorifics (존댓말 / 반말), 3,000-word vocabulary, news comprehension | TOPIK II Level 3–4 | 350–650 hrs |
| C1–C2 | Academic and business Korean, formal writing, proverbs, regional dialects | TOPIK II Level 5–6 | 900–1300 hrs |
4-Week Korean Starter Plan
- · Learn all 14 basic consonants (자음)
- · Learn all 10 basic vowels (모음)
- · Practice syllable block construction
- · Read your first 20 Korean words aloud
- · 안녕하세요 and formal greetings
- · Numbers: native Korean (하나, 둘) vs Sino-Korean (일, 이)
- · Basic sentence order: Subject-Object-Verb
- · First 20-min tutor session — pronunciation check
- · Present tense verb conjugation (-아요/어요)
- · Topic particle (은/는) vs subject particle (이/가)
- · 50 most common Korean verbs and adjectives
- · Introduce yourself in 5 sentences
- · Formal vs informal speech levels (존댓말 vs 반말)
- · Listen to one K-drama scene without subtitles
- · Practice ordering food and directions
- · Book a second month with your teacher
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to learn Korean?
The US Foreign Service Institute classifies Korean as a Category IV language — one of the hardest for English speakers, requiring approximately 2,200 classroom hours for professional working proficiency. However, conversational B1 Korean is achievable in 12–18 months with consistent study of 3–4 hours per week and a good teacher. The key milestone most learners hit first: Hangul in 1–2 weeks.
What is the TOPIK exam and how does it work?
TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) is the official Korean language proficiency test administered by the Korean government. TOPIK I covers Levels 1–2 (beginner) and consists of listening and reading. TOPIK II covers Levels 3–6 (intermediate to advanced) and adds writing. The exam is widely recognized for Korean university admission, work visas, and immigration. Unox has certified TOPIK-prep teachers for all levels.
Is Korean grammar difficult for English speakers?
Korean grammar has a very different structure from English. Korean is Subject-Object-Verb (English is SVO), verbs come at the end, and the honorific system (존댓말/반말) adds a layer of social context to speech. That said, Korean has no grammatical gender, no articles, and no plurals in most contexts — which simplifies things. Most learners find Hangul and grammar equally approachable with a good teacher.
Should I learn formal or informal Korean first?
Most teachers start with formal speech (존댓말), which is used with strangers, elders, and in professional settings. Informal speech (반말) is for close friends and younger people. Starting with formal Korean is safer — accidentally using informal speech to an elder or boss is considered rude. Your Unox teacher will guide you on when and how to shift registers appropriately.
Can I learn Korean from K-dramas and K-pop alone?
K-dramas and K-pop are excellent listening practice and great motivation — but they are not sufficient as a sole learning method. K-dramas use script-specific vocabulary and dramatic speech patterns. K-pop lyrics prioritize rhythm over natural grammar. Pairing media exposure with structured lessons from a teacher gives you the grammar foundation to actually understand what you are hearing, not just recognise sounds.
Start Learning Korean Today
Expert teachers. TOPIK prep, conversational Korean, and K-drama vocabulary. Trial lesson from $1.