Audiobooks in Korean

If you’re looking to learn the Korean language, you can always count on mastering its basics by listening to audiobooks. Here’s all you need to know.

Learning Korean isn’t exactly the easiest of tasks if your native tongue isn’t a Far-Eastern one. Nevertheless, it’s not impossible to speak one of the most unique languages in the world. You can take a classic pen-and-paper approach, take up private classes and courses, or do it all by yourself with audiobooks.

Using audio study material is a proven way of improving material comprehension. It’s also a great way for learners to expand their vocabulary and understand proper pronunciation, as well as diction. You can find great Korean audio content at sites like Storytel, Linguaboost, LingoJump, and—you’ve guessed it—Koreanclass101.com.

But before you do so, allow us to introduce you to some of the best Korean audiobooks in the following few paragraphs. We’ll also let you in on a little secret of what to do when a title in Korean isn’t available in its audio form.

Audiobooks in Korean to guide language learning

It's no secret that Korean is the most popular Asian language these days. This is, of course, thanks to the likes of K-pop and K-films. Due to their immense success, more and more people in the West are seeking to learn this fascinating language and use their skills to better consume Korean culture, both popular and high.

Of course, learning a new language is never easy, more so when the language you’re studying has nothing in common with yours. Korean grammar is so different that you might need all the help possible. One such form of help is using audio study material such as audiobooks of popular literature and everyday Korean.

There are several benefits of listening to a book than reading it. The first one is that it allows for multitasking. As such, you can simultaneously focus on reading the text as you listen to a parallel audio track of your narrator as they speak Korean. This way, you’ll be able to understand proper pronunciation, which can be quite tricky for beginners.

On the other hand, listening instead of reading is a proven way of better comprehending material. This is especially important when using these audible books for studying. Without the understanding of what the words in front of you mean, you can’t acquire new knowledge, let alone claim to understand a foreign language as complex as Korean.

Best-selling Korean audiobooks

A text like this wouldn’t be complete without a few recommendations. Therefore, allow us to introduce you to two of the best-selling Korean audiobooks that can help your conversational Korean with essential words as well as entertain you as it’s a fun way to learn.

In Order to Live

North counterpart isn't exactly keen on sharing cultural goods with the rest of the world, and little is known of what day-to-day life in it looks like. Well, that's if you don't read In Order to Live, or better yet—if you don't listen to its Korean audio version.

Written by Yeonmi Park, In Order to Live is both a fascinating and harrowing tale of her life in North Korea. From surviving poverty, dictatorship, and general struggles to how she and her mother ended up as sex workers in China, Park leaves nothing to be desired.

Nevertheless, it's not just because of it being a bestseller that we listed it here. This book has a lot to offer in cultural terms, making it perfect for someone looking to learn more about Korean words, people, and traditions.

A History of Korea

Since Park’s story of her life in North Korea won’t leave you disappointed, we’re sure you’ll be looking to learn more about the war and how there are two Koreas today. The best way to inform yourself on this topic is to acquire Kyung Moon Hwang's A History of Korea.

This is yet another best-selling Korean audiobook, and for a good reason. Not only does it talk you through the country’s rich past and interesting present, it tells it from an insider’s perspective. It’s a must-read for anyone looking to be one step closer to Korea.

TTS technology

Unfortunately, not all great Korean books have their audio versions. So, after you're done listening to all of the Korean audiobooks, you can use a Speechify to hear and translate your emails, webpages and more into Korean. 

FAQs

Are there audiobooks in Korean?

Yes, there are numerous audiobooks in Korean. Like with any language, you can find both Korean literature and those translated to this language in their audio form.

Are audiobooks popular in Korea?

Although it started back in the early ‘00s, the audio market in Korea is worth 30 million dollars nowadays, with numbers likely to double in the next few years. So, to answer your question—yes, audiobooks are quite popular in South Korea.

What are the benefits of listening to audiobooks?

Aside from allowing you to attend to other tasks, listening to audiobooks helps material comprehension and focus, as well as improving reading skills and vocab.

What is the difference between audiobooks and podcasts?

Audiobooks are just narrated pieces of literature, while podcasts are more like radio shows on streaming platforms, in which hosts talk about all kinds of topics.

What are some popular audiobooks in Korea?

• In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park
• The Last Stand of Fox Company by Bob Drury
• Harry Potter book series by J.K. Rowling
• Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick
• A Brief History of Korea by Michael J. Seth
• Korean Mythology by Matt Clayton

What is the Korean pronunciation of “audiobooks”?

오디오북

What is the most popular Korean audiobook?

The most popular Korean audiobook in Korean is definitely In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park.

What are the best audiobooks to learn Korean?

• Learn Korean — Word Power 101
• Learn Korean for Beginners Easily & in Your Car!
• Spoken Word: Korean
• Pimsleur Korean
• Sogang Korean 1A