Suh ChangWhoon
Written by 서 창훈, a certified Korean teacher with 14+ years of experience in Japan. He previously worked as a government officer, cybersecurity consultant, and English interpreter. Today, he teaches Korean in real classrooms without complex grammar explanations — instead, he trains students’ brains to speak naturally. His unique method is now the foundation of all his Korean courses.
Table of Contents
T_T Junho’s Gift, part of our Korean story in English series, offers a powerful, emotional way to learn Korean through storytelling. Follow the heartfelt journey of Junho, an orphan searching for his mother, and naturally improve your grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension — all in one course.
📚 Ready to explore more stories like this one? See all Korean story courses »
Why Learn Korean Through Stories?
Let’s be honest — memorizing grammar rules and vocab lists gets old quickly. But when you read a Korean story in English that’s rich in emotion and context, the language begins to stick. It’s like chewing gum — the meaning stays with you.
The narrative context helps you see:
How words are used,
Why expressions matter, and
How grammar blends into daily Korean.
You’ll find yourself feeling Korean, not just learning it.
Storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to internalize a language. Here’s how learning Korean through stories transforms your study:
✔️ Active Engagement
Reading and listening to a Korean story in English keeps you emotionally connected and mentally alert — no zoning out here.
✔️ Contextual Learning
Stories provide real-life situations that make grammar and vocabulary meaningful.
✔️ Cultural Insights
Stories like Junho’s Gift immerse you in Korean culture — emotions, relationships, and unspoken rules.
✍️ Related: Why Story-Based Learning Works for Korean Learners »
Course Overview – What is Junho’s Gift?
Junho’s Gift is a Korean story in English that’s designed specifically for intermediate learners who want real language, real practice, and real feeling.
This course includes:
📖 A moving narrative full of realistic dialogues and situations
✍️ Grammar and vocabulary explanations tailored for intermediate learners
🧠 Sentence structure practice in a story-based context
Want a preview? Try this sample story lesson with audio and sentence breakdowns.
_____ 1 _____
Original Korean Sentence
올해 열네 살인 준호는, 삼 년 전부터, 고아원에서 살고 있었다.
Pronunciation Guide
오레 (o-re) 열레 (yeol-le) 사린 (sa-rin) 준호는 (jun-ho-neun), 삼 (sam)년 (nyeon) 전부터 (jeon-bu-teo), 고아워네서 (go-a-wo-ne-seo) 살고 (sal-go) 있썼따 (it-sseot-dda).
Meaning and Context
올해 (this year) 열네 (14) 살 (years old) 인 (A (Junho) is B (14 years old)) 준호 (Junho) 는 (my topic is Junho), 삼 (3) 년 (years) 전 (ago) 부터 (from), 고아원 (orphanage) 에서 (in) 살 (to live) 고 있 (~ing) 었 (past tense) 다 (I am narrating).
English Translation
Junho, who turns 14 this year, has lived in an orphanage for three years.
Literal Translation
Junho, who is 14 years old this year, has been living in orphanage from 3 years ago.
_____ 2 _____
Original Korean Sentence
준호는 키가 작고, 얼굴에 주근깨가 있는 못생긴 소년이다.
Pronunciation Guide
준호는 (jun-ho-neun) 키가 (ki-ga) 작꼬 (jak-ggo), 얼구레 (eol-gu-re) 주근깨가 (ju-geun-kkae-ga) 인는 (in-neun) 못쌩긴 (mot-ssaeng-gin) 소녀니다 (so-nyeo-ni-da).
Meaning and Context
준호 (Junho) 는 (my topic is Junho) 키 (height) 가 (my subject is the height) 작 (to be small) 고 (and), 얼굴 (face) 에 (on) 주근깨 (freckles) 가 (my subject is freckles) 있 (to have) * 는 (ugly boy who has freckles) 못생기 (to be ugly) * ㄴ (who is ugly? boy) 소년 (boy) 이다 (I am narrating).
Pronunciation Patterns for Conjugations
⊳ 기 + ㄴ = 긴
When rapidly pronounced, ‘기’ and ‘ㄴ’ naturally combine to form ‘긴’.
Grammar
* 는: the modifier (present tense) between an adjective (have) and a noun (boy)
* ㄴ: the modifier (present tense) between an adjective (ugly) and a noun (boy)
English Translation
Junho is a small and ugly boy with freckles on his face.
Literal Translation
As for Junho, height is small, and ugly boy who has freckles on face.
_____ 3 _____
Original Korean Sentence
그러나, 얼굴에는 항상 미소가 가득하고, 따뜻한 마음을 가졌다.
Pronunciation Guide
그러나 (geu-reo-na), 얼구레는 (eol-gu-re-neun) 항상 (hang-sang) 미소가 (mi-so-ga) 가득카고 (ga-deu-ka-go), 따뜨탄 (tta-tteu-tan) 마으믈 (ma-eu-meul) 가졌따 (ga-jyeot-dda).
Meaning and Context
그러나 (however), 얼굴 (face) 에는 (in, with emphasis) 항상 (always) 미소 (smile) 가 (my subject is smile) 가득하 (to be full) 고 (and), 따뜻하 (to be warm) * ㄴ (what is warm? heart) 마음 (heart) 을 (my object is his heart) 가지 (to have) 었 (past tense) 다 (I am narrating).
Pronunciation Patterns for Conjugations
⊳ 하 + ㄴ = 한
⊳ 지 + 었 = 졌
Rapidly pronouncing ‘하’ and ‘ㄴ’ results in ‘한’.
Similarly, ‘지’ and ‘었’ combine to form ‘졌’.
Grammar
* ㄴ: the modifier (present tense) between an adjective (warm) and a noun (heart)
English Translation
However, his face was always full of smiles, and he had a warm heart.
Literal Translation
However, smile is always full in face, and had warm heart.
Course Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| 🎧 Audio Lessons | Listen and shadow each line for pronunciation |
| 📖 Sentence-by-sentence breakdown | Understand grammar through storytelling |
| 🃏 Flashcards | Practice key vocab anywhere |
| 🧠 Quizzes | Test comprehension after each unit |
| ✍️ Practice Assignments | Training your brain |
What Will You Learn?
Intermediate Grammar: Sentence patterns explained through context
Reading & Listening Skills: Audio and reading drills improve fluency
Cultural Fluency: Learn how native Koreans think, feel, and speak
What’s Inside the Course?
Intermediate learners wanting real Korean input
Students tired of lifeless grammar lectures
Fans of Korean culture who enjoy learning through stories
Learners looking for a Duolingo Stories alternative with more structure
Hooked on Korean Stories?
Why stop at one story?
Jump in and explore the full episode list. We’ve got many free Korean story in English courses, and more coming soon!
Related Lessons You’ll Enjoy
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