Korean literature

Classic novels and folktales from Korea, with a translation on every line.

Korean classics

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B1

구운몽

Kim Man-jung (1637–1692)

11 parts

B1

박씨전

Traditional Korean novel (Bakssi-jeon, anonymous, Joseon era)

2 parts

B1

심청전

Traditional Korean novel (Sim Cheong-jeon, anonymous, Joseon era)

2 min read

B1

장화홍련전

Traditional Korean novel (Janghwa Hongryeon-jeon, anonymous, Joseon era)

2 min read

B1

홍길동전

Traditional Korean tale, attributed to Heo Gyun (1569–1618)

2 min read

B1

춘향전

Traditional Korean novel (Chunhyangjeon, anonymous, Joseon era)

4 min read

B2

운수 좋은 날

Hyeon Jin-geon (1900–1943)

3 min read

B2

메밀꽃 필 무렵

Yi Hyo-seok (1907–1942)

3 min read

B2

동백꽃

Kim Yu-jeong (1908–1937)

3 min read

B2

봄봄

Kim Yu-jeong (1908–1937)

3 min read

B2

벙어리 삼룡이

Na Do-hyang (1902–1926)

2 min read

A2

만년 셔츠

Bang Jeong-hwan (1899–1931)

2 min read

A1

참된 동정

Bang Jeong-hwan (1899–1931)

1 min read

B2

감자

Kim Dong-in (1900–1951)

3 min read

B2

날개

Yi Sang (1910–1937)

2 min read

Korean folktales

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A1

금도끼 은도끼

Traditional Korean folktale (금도끼 은도끼, anonymous, oral tradition)

1 min read

A1

의좋은 형제

Traditional Korean folktale (의좋은 형제, anonymous, oral tradition)

1 min read

A1

호랑이와 곶감

Traditional Korean folktale (호랑이와 곶감, anonymous, oral tradition)

1 min read

A1

도깨비 방망이

Traditional Korean folktale (도깨비 방망이, anonymous, oral tradition)

1 min read

A1

팥죽 할멈과 호랑이

Traditional Korean folktale (팥죽 할멈과 호랑이, anonymous, oral tradition)

1 min read

A2

은혜 갚은 까치

Traditional Korean folktale (은혜 갚은 까치, anonymous, oral tradition)

2 min read

A2

견우와 직녀

Traditional Korean folktale (견우와 직녀, anonymous, oral tradition)

2 min read

A2

젊어지는 샘물

Traditional Korean folktale (젊어지는 샘물, anonymous, oral tradition)

2 min read

A2

흥부와 놀부

Traditional Korean folktale (Heungbu-jeon, anonymous, late Joseon era)

1 min read

A2

A Bridegroom for Miss Mole

William Elliot Griffis, after traditional Korean folklore (1843–1928)

3 min read

A2

The Unmannerly Tiger

William Elliot Griffis, after traditional Korean folklore (1843–1928)

3 min read

A1

Tokgabi and the Kind Maid

William Elliot Griffis, after traditional Korean folklore (1843–1928)

2 min read

A1

The Sneezing Colossus

William Elliot Griffis, after traditional Korean folklore (1843–1928)

2 min read

A2

Cat-kin and the Queen Mother

William Elliot Griffis, after traditional Korean folklore (1843–1928)

3 min read

A2

Prince Sandalwood, the Father of Korea

William Elliot Griffis, after traditional Korean mythology (1843–1928)

3 min read

A2

The Rabbit's Eyes

William Elliot Griffis, after traditional Korean folklore (1843–1928)

3 min read

A2

East Light and the Bridge of Fishes

William Elliot Griffis, after traditional Korean mythology (1843–1928)

3 min read

A2

Topknots and Crockery Hats

William Elliot Griffis, after traditional Korean legend (1843–1928)

3 min read

A2

Fancha and the Magpie

William Elliot Griffis, after traditional Manchu-Korean legend (1843–1928)

3 min read

A2

Old White Whiskers and Mr. Bunny

William Elliot Griffis, after traditional Korean folklore (1843–1928)

3 min read

A2

The King of the Flowers

William Elliot Griffis, after traditional Korean folklore (1843–1928)

3 min read

A1

Why Cats and Dogs Don't Get Along

William Elliot Griffis, after traditional Korean folklore (1843–1928)

4 min read

A2

콩쥐와 팥쥐

Traditional Korean folktale (Kongjwi Patjwi-jeon, anonymous, Joseon era)

1 min read

B1

선녀와 나무꾼

Traditional Korean folktale (선녀와 나무꾼, anonymous, oral tradition)

3 min read

A2

해와 달이 된 오누이

Traditional Korean folktale (해와 달이 된 오누이, anonymous, oral tradition)

3 min read

B1

혹부리 영감

Traditional Korean folktale (Hokburi Yeonggam, oral tradition, anonymous)

2 min read

B1

우렁각시

Traditional Korean folktale (Ureong Gaksi, oral tradition, anonymous)

2 min read

A2

토끼전

Traditional Korean folktale (Tokkijeon, also called Byeoljubu-jeon, anonymous, Joseon era)

2 min read