19 Free Books in Korean [PDF]
by InfoBooks
Looking for books in Korean? We've gathered 19 free Korean books in PDF, covering beginner reading, children's stories, short stories, classic novels, poetry, and theater.
These are books written in Korean, from Aesop's fables and Grimm's fairy tales to modern short stories by Hyeon Jin-geon and Kim Yu-jeong, classic poetry by Kim Sowol, and 1920s Korean theater. Whether you are just starting to read Korean or looking for a specific classic, there is something here for you.
Browse by genre or start with the beginners' section. Every book is free to read online or download as PDF.
Books in Korean for Beginners
This collection uses classic fairy tales to teach Korean. The stories go from shorter to longer, building reading confidence as you go. Ideal for heritage learners and anyone working through a Korean course who wants real reading practice.
Korean Children's Books
Korean children's books are a natural way to read Korean with simple, real language. These are classic fables and fairy tales you probably already know, told in Korean. Reading familiar stories removes the guesswork. You can focus on the language instead of the plot.
Korean Short Stories
These five short stories are landmarks of modern Korean fiction. They were written in the 1920s and 1930s, during Japanese colonial rule, and each one captures a different slice of Korean life. Authors include Hyeon Jin-geon, Yi Sang, Kim Dong-in, Lee Hyo-seok, and Kim Yu-jeong. Each text is under 15 pages.
- #3
날개 (Wings)
Korean Novels
These two novels are cornerstones of classical Korean literature. Hong Gildong is the first novel written entirely in Hangul, and Chunhyang is Korea's most beloved love story. Both are short texts, under 20 pages. They carry centuries of cultural significance in Korean literature.
Korean Poetry
Korean poetry spans classical sijo and early modern lyric. This section brings together works by Kim Sowol, Jeong Ji-yong, and Seong Sam-mun, three voices central to the Korean lyric tradition. These are short texts. Each poem or collection fits on 1 to 11 pages.
- #3
이 몸이 죽어가서
Korean Theater Books
This section focuses on Korean theater from the 1920s. All three plays are connected to Kim Woo-jin, a key figure in Korea's New Theater movement. The collection includes a Korean translation of Bernard Shaw's Mrs. Warren's Profession, alongside two original dramas by Kim Woo-jin.
These 19 books cover Korean literature from classical novels to 1930s short stories, plus reading practice for beginners and young readers.
Looking for more? Visit our Language Learning PDF books section for books in Japanese, Mandarin, Arabic, and more.
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