TOPIK & Beyond

Do you ever feel confident speaking Korean… but totally freeze when writing an essay or TOPIK answer? Or maybe your written Korean is polished, but your mind goes blank during a conversation? This episode breaks down why that gap exists — and how to fix it. You’ll learn the real differences between speaking and writing, what traps learners fall into, and one simple but powerful exercise to start improving both skills together. Whether you’re studying for real-life fluency or prepping for TOPIK II, this episode will help you move forward with more clarity and confidence. In This Episode: ✔️ Why speaking and writing feel so different✔️ How to know where you’re strong vs. stuck✔️ The #1 mistake learners make when trying to “transfer” skills✔️ A practical exercise to train both modes together✔️ What to focus on if you’re preparing for TOPIK II Want to Build Writing Confidence? Our TOPIK II Writing Confidence Lab opens in December - a 4-week focused writing sprint to help you hit your writing goals with structure and feedback. 🔗 Join the waitlist here Prefer speaking practice? The Korean FLOW Club is open for new members — build fluency with daily prompts, routines, and community support. 🔗 Join the Korean FLOW Club   Prefer reading while you listen? I’m experimenting with a Substack version of each episode to support visual learners. You can read along + get examples while listening to boost understanding! 📖 → Checkout Korean Joa in Substack  Connect with Me 🌐 Website: joaacademy.com📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy💌 Join the Korean FLOW Club: Practice real Korean every week — reading, listening, speaking & writing. If You Enjoyed This Episode Please follow, rate, and share this podcast with a friend who’s studying Korean!Your support helps more learners discover TOPIK & Beyond and grow this global learning community.

Are your writing examples helping or hurting your TOPIK score? In this episode of TOPIK & Beyond, we’re diving into one of the most overlooked ways to boost your TOPIK II writing: giving better, stronger, more logical examples. If your essays tend to sound vague or too personal, this episode will show you how to upgrade your writing — with real-life phrases, expressions, and a sample prompt practice. What You’ll Learn: Why your examples may be lowering your score The 3R Rule for effective examples: Relevant, Realistic, Reasonable Natural Korean expressions to introduce examples (like “실제로,” “한 조사에 따르면…”) How to practice using real prompts to sound more logical and formal Your Challenge: Take an old writing sample and upgrade your example using today’s tips — then send it to Eliza for short feedback! Want to improve your writing and get real feedback?Join the waitlist for Eliza’s new mini-program, TOPIK II Writing Confidence Lab — coming soon!👉Join the Waitlist Download your free guide: 👉 Master TOPIK Vocabulary: Essential Words to Level Up from TOPIK I → IIGet flashcard-style vocab lists, examples, and practice tips to help you write and speak more naturally for the exam.  [🔗https://www.joaacademy.com/mastertopikvocab]   Connect with Me🌐 Website: joaacademy.com📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy💌 Join the Korean FLOW Club: Practice real Korean every week — reading, listening, speaking & writing. If You Enjoyed This Episode Please follow, rate, and share this podcast with a friend who’s studying Korean!Your support helps more learners discover TOPIK & Beyond and grow this global learning community. 

If you’ve been practicing TOPIK II writing, you probably already know how hard it is to find the perfect sentence structure, grammar, and vocabulary… But what if your biggest score drop isn’t from grammar — but from tone? In this episode, we’re talking about: What “tone” means in Korean essays The most common tone mistakes learners make How to sound natural, formal, and confident (not stiff or casual!) Real examples of high-scoring writing tone A mini checklist to instantly improve your tone Mini Challenge:Choose a writing sample you’ve already done — and edit it with today’s tone tips.Want a teacher’s eye on it? Email Eliza with your writing sample to get one personalized feedback tip! This episode is especially for you if: You’re preparing for TOPIK II and want to improve your writing score You want to write more like a native speaker (and not sound too casual or awkward) You’re not sure if your essays sound natural or textbook-ish Ready to get serious about TOPIK II writing? The TOPIK II Writing Confidence Lab is coming soon — and it’s made for learners who want to build real confidence, write faster, and get feedback on their work. Join the waitlist now to be the first to know when we open doors: 👉 https://www.joaacademy.com/writing-confidence-lab-waitlist  🎁 Also, want to improve on your vocabulary for TOPIK?  👉Don’t forget to grab Master TOPIK Vocabulary: Essential Words to Level Up from TOPIK I → IIa flashcard-style vocab lists, examples, and practice tips to help you write and speak more naturally for the exam.  🔗 https://www.joaacademy.com/mastertopikvocab 📌 Follow Eliza & Joa Academy Instagram: @korean.joaacademy Website: www.joaacademy.com

Struggle with organizing your ideas for TOPIK II Writing?In this “write-with-me” episode, Eliza walks you step-by-step through a real TOPIK II question using her signature WRITE to BUILD framework — a clear, logical method that helps you write confidently, even when you don’t know where to start. You’ll learn how to define, explain, and conclude your essay naturally in Korean using five easy steps — and by the end of the episode, you’ll have a full, well-structured paragraph ready to go. What You’ll Learn How to organize your thoughts for TOPIK II Writing (Questions 53–54). The WRITE to BUILD framework: Begin – Unpack – Illustrate – List – Draw. Real expressions and examples Koreans use in essays and reports. A guided writing exercise you can do along with the episode. How to build confidence and clarity in your writing — one paragraph at a time. Practice Prompt from the Episode Here’s the real TOPIK-style question we wrote together: 📘 ‘환경오염이란 무엇이며, 그것이 인간의 생활에 어떤 영향을 미치는지 설명하시오.’ (Explain what environmental pollution is and how it affects human life.) And your mini challenge: 📘 ‘재활용이 왜 중요한지, 그리고 사람들이 어떻게 참여할 수 있는지 설명하시오.’ (Explain why recycling is important and how people can participate.) Use the 5 steps from the BUILD method to structure your answer logically! Want to Write With Me Live? Eliza is hosting a free, small-group workshop-style training to help you apply the WRITE to BUILD method to real TOPIK questions.Only 10 learners will be selected to participate. Join the waitlist now to get early access: 👉 https://www.joaacademy.com/writing-confidence-lab-waitlist  Connect with Me 🌐 Website: https://www.joaacademy.com/📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy💌 Join the Korean FLOW Club for weekly practice in real Korean (reading, listening, speaking & writing). ❤️ If You Enjoyed This Episode Please follow, rate, and share this podcast with a friend who’s studying for TOPIK! It helps more learners discover TOPIK & Beyond and keeps this community growing.

Do you freeze when you see a chart or graph in the TOPIK II Writing section? 😰You’re not alone! Many learners repeat basic words like 많다 and 적다 — but those won’t get you a high score. In this episode, Eliza teaches you how to describe charts and comparisons using natural report-style expressions that Koreans actually use — and that TOPIK examiners love to see. You’ll learn essential patterns, advanced verbs, and ready-to-use sentences that instantly make your writing sound more fluent, formal, and professional. What You’ll Learn Real expressions Koreans use in reports and essays. How to describe increase/decrease naturally (증가하다, 줄어들다, 추세이다). How to make comparisons (A에 비해 B는…, A와 B를 비교했을 때…). Useful connectors for describing data trends and results. A short practice activity to apply what you learn right away. Practice Prompt from the Episode Imagine this chart:The percentage of people who prefer online classes rose from 30% in 2020 to 60% in 2024. Write one sentence using today’s expressions and share your sentence with Eliza on Instagram or by email! Free Resource Mentioned Download your free guide: 👉 Master TOPIK Vocabulary: Essential Words to Level Up from TOPIK I → IIGet flashcard-style vocab lists, examples, and practice tips to help you write and speak more naturally for the exam. [🔗 https://www.joaacademy.com/mastertopikvocab ] Coming Soon — TOPIK II Writing Confidence Lab (November Launch!) Ready to take your writing to the next level?Our TOPIK II Writing Confidence Lab opens this November — a step-by-step course with essay structures, real examples, and feedback to help you reach your target score with confidence. Stay tuned for more details! Connect with Me 🌐 Website: joaacademy.com📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy💌 Join the Korean FLOW Club: Practice real Korean every week — reading, listening, speaking & writing. If You Enjoyed This Episode Please follow, rate, and share this podcast with a friend who’s studying Korean! Your support helps more learners discover TOPIK & Beyond and grow this global learning community. 

Are you losing valuable points in your TOPIK II Writing section without even realizing it? You’re not alone. In this episode, Eliza breaks down the #1 mistake most students make - focusing on complex grammar instead of clear structure - and shows you exactly how to fix it. You’ll learn a simple 3-step essay framework, natural Korean connectors that instantly improve your writing, and a short practice exercise you can do right now to boost your score. Whether you’re preparing for your first TOPIK II or trying to level up your writing score, this episode will help you write with confidence and clarity. What You’ll Learn The biggest writing mistake TOPIK learners make (and how to avoid it). The 3-step structure every high-scoring essay follows. Essential connectors and expressions to make your writing flow naturally. A short practice activity to start improving right away. Why clarity > complexity in the eyes of TOPIK examiners.   Practice Prompt from the Episode Try this question: “Do you prefer studying online or offline?” Write two sentences using the connectors you learned today: 첫째로 (firstly) 그러나 (however) 따라서 (therefore) 왜냐하면 (because) 💡 Pro tip: Read your sentences out loud to check if they sound natural. Free Resource Mentioned Download your free guide: 👉 Master TOPIK Vocabulary: Essential Words to Level Up from TOPIK I → II Get flashcard-style essential vocab with examples, tips, and exercises to help you level up with confidence. 🔗 https://www.joaacademy.com/mastertopikvocab Coming Soon: TOPIK II Writing Confidence Lab (November Launch!) If you loved this episode and want to go deeper, stay tuned for my upcoming TOPIK II Writing Confidence Lab - a step-by-step course that helps you build structure, expand vocabulary, and get real feedback on your essays. Make sure you’re on my email list so you don’t miss the announcement! Connect with Me 🌐 https://www.joaacademy.com 📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy 💌 Join the Korean FLOW Club: Learn real Korean every week (reading, listening, speaking & writing). 🎧 Listen to past episodes: TOPIK & Beyond If You Enjoyed This Episode Follow, rate, and share this podcast with a fellow Korean learner! Your support helps more learners discover TOPIK & Beyond and keeps this community growing

Chuseok (추석) is here and whether you're in Korea or not, this season is a reminder that life gets busy. But does that mean your Korean practice has to stop? Absolutely not. In this episode, I’ll show you how to:  Practice speaking Korean with just 60 seconds a day Use simple daily moments (like cooking or driving) as language time Learn & use real Chuseok phrases Koreans actually say Plus: I’ll share 4 speaking activities you can try this week - no textbook required.   Useful Korean You’ll Hear: 추석 잘 보내세요 – Have a good Chuseok 송편 만들었어요? – Did you make songpyeon? 차가 막혀요 – There’s traffic 오랜만에 친척을 만났어요 – I met my relatives for the first time in a while PS: Want More Speaking Practice? The Korean FLOW Club is OPEN! Join anytime and start building confidence with real conversation routines → https://www.joaacademy.com/the-korean-flow-club  Want to join the next 5-Day Speaking Challenge? It’s coming soon — and waitlist gets first access. 💛 Add your name here → https://www.joaacademy.com/5day-speaking-challenge  Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen! 📲 Follow @korean.joaacademy on Instagram for weekly tips!

In this fun bonus episode, Eliza and Jim Figueroa dive into a totally unscripted roleplay that’s full of surprises, real emotions, and natural Korean expressions. You’ll hear: An awkward street encounter An unexpected boss reveal Some funny food demands (만둣국, anyone?) Real-life Korean listening practice with guided support Eliza also pops in with explanations and breakdowns to help you follow along - so don’t worry if some parts feel tricky. This episode is great for learners who want to: Improve Korean listening skills Hear real Korean and delivery Learn daily-use expressions in context Like the podcast? Follow + leave a review! It really helps other Korean learners find us 💛 Follow @korean.joaacademy on Instagram for more daily Korean support 📨 Weekly emails + freebies: www.joaacademy.com

Want to watch this conversation? We recorded the full interview on video - catch it here: https://www.joaacademy.com/jim-figueroa-korean-culture-interview    In this special episode of TOPIK & Beyond, Eliza welcomes author Jim Figueroa to talk about his book They Come in Peace - a gripping sci-fi thriller that weaves in Korean culture and the realities of trust, paranoia, and survival. Jim shares his experiences living and working in Korea, and together we explore how language shapes connection - whether in a tense thriller moment or a romantic K-drama scene. You’ll even get to practice a mini speaking scene with Eliza, learning four powerful Korean phrases that can be used in both conflict and love story moments. If you’ve ever frozen up when trying to speak Korean, this episode will show you how stories can unlock your confidence. Don’t forget: The 5-Day K-Drama Speaking Challenge starts September 29! Step into daily scenes, practice out loud, and get personalized feedback from Eliza. Spots are limited - [https://www.joaacademy.com/5day-speaking-challenge]. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The inspiration behind They Come in Peace and its Korean cultural ties Jim’s personal experiences living and working in Korea at KBS, and eventually MBC and Hollywood Why language is the key to real connection A live mini speaking scene: 4 Korean phrases you can use in conflict and romance How the 5-Day K-Drama Speaking Challenge helps learners finally speak naturally Connect with Jim Figueroa: Get They Come in Peace here: Amazon | https://a.co/d/34Cyzk6Follow Jim on social media: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/nyneteen84/ Note: This isn’t an affiliate link - We don’t earn commission if you buy the book. We simply enjoyed supporting Jim as a sensitivity reader and wanted to share his work with you.

What if just 5 minutes a day could completely shift how you speak Korean? This week on TOPIK & Beyond, we’re breaking down the tiny daily habits that help you build confidence — no matter how busy your life is. In this episode: Why short and consistent beats long and inconsistent 3 Korean speaking habits you can do in under 5 minutes Natural Korean phrases to add to your daily reflection routine How to train your brain for real conversation in small moments  Heads Up! 📣 Get your FREE K-Drama Speaking Starter Kit Want to speak like your favorite drama character — with confidence? Grab your free download and get on the VIP list for our 5-Day K-Drama Speaking Challenge. 👉 Grab your Korean Speaking Starter Pack (K-Drama Edition) Here Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a weekly speaking boost.And if this episode helped you — leave a review or share it with a fellow learner.Let’s keep speaking, not just studying.

Many learners are studying a lot… but when it’s time to speak?>> Their brain goes blank.>> Their mouth doesn’t move. In this week’s episode, we’re shifting out of passive learning and into real-life use. Because memorizing grammar doesn’t help if you never say the words out loud. You’ll learn: ✅ The signs you’re stuck in passive study✅ Easy everyday Korean sentences to practice speaking✅ Mini grammar hacks to sound more natural✅ A 3-step challenge to practice today If your Korean is “in your head,” this episode will help bring it to your lips.  Heads Up! A free 5-Day Speaking Challenge is coming soon! Designed to help you use Korean out loud - even if you feel shy or rusty. Stay tuned for details! And don’t forget - you can grab the Korean Conversation Kickstart Kit (free!) to build fluency habits that stick: 👉Practice Real Korean with Confidence Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a weekly speaking boost. And if this episode helped you - leave a review or share it with a fellow learner. Let’s keep speaking, not just studying.

Back to school.Back to work.Back to Korean. If you’ve taken a break over the summer — or if you’re feeling a little behind — this episode is for you. Eliza shares five real Korean expressions to help you restart gently, rebuild confidence, and reconnect with your goals — without guilt or overwhelm. In This Episode:   Common emotional blocks in September — and how to shift them   Korean phrases for saying “I’m starting again” (in real life)   Speaking practice: repeat-after-me segments to get back into your flow   What’s coming to TOPIK & Beyond this season   A sneak peek at the upcoming 5-Day Speaking Challenge  Today’s Korean Phrases:   다시 시작하려고요 – I’m trying to start again   요즘 좀 쉬었어요 – I’ve been on a break lately   이번 달부터 다시 해보려고요 – I’ll try again starting this month   괜찮아요, 천천히 해도 돼요 – It’s okay. You can go slowly   이번엔 꾸준히 해보고 싶어요 – I want to stay consistent this time Resources Mentioned: ➕ Practice Real Korean — With Confidence ➕ Get Ready for the 5-Day Speaking Challenge Details coming soon — stay on the email list to be the first to know!Want a personal invite to the challenge? Join my email list at www.joaacademy.com Resources & Links: www.joaacademy.com – study tools & program updatesInstagram: @korean.joaacademy Enjoyed this episode?Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review—it helps TOPIK & Beyond reach more Korean learners around the world 💜

You’ve studied vocabulary. You’ve memorized grammar. But speaking still feels awkward... and confidence? Still missing? This episode is for you. We’re wrapping up the summer series with a powerful transition into your next stage of Korean learning. Eliza shares the exact mindset + method shift that helps learners finally move from passive study → to real, confident Korean usage. Inside the episode: Why you're stuck and it's not what you think What “real” Korean practice looks like How to build confidence even if you feel unsure A free tool to help you shift your practice habits now A special invite to the upcoming live webinar on Aug 28! Episode Highlights: The “hesitation zone” and how to break through it Active vs. passive practice: what’s actually building your fluency? A behind-the-scenes preview of the Practice Real Korean Kit How the Korean FLOW Club supports daily, realistic progress The upcoming webinar: Speak Korean Naturally in Just 3 Steps That Finally Stick (Aug 28!) 🧰 Resources Mentioned: ✅ Practice Real Korean Freebie Build your confidence with real-life prompts and speaking support👉 Download here 🎉 Free Live Webinar – August 28 Topic: How to Practice Korean with Confidence Details and registration 👉 Check out here   🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or search “TOPIK & Beyond.” Resources & Links: 🌐 www.joaacademy.com – study tools & program updates 📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy 💌 Want feedback or guidance? Email Eliza directly! Enjoyed this episode? Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review—it helps TOPIK & Beyond reach more Korean learners around the world 💜

You've studied for a while. You're not a beginner anymore… But real conversations still feel hard, and your confidence wavers? You’re not alone and you’re not doing it wrong. This week’s episode dives into the "pre-B1 plateau" that so many Korean learners hit — and what you actually need to focus on before trying to level up. We’ll talk about: Why B1 is where most learners feel stuck What I wish students knew before hitting this level The mindset shift that builds lasting fluency How I guide my students through the “I should know this already” phase A sneak peek at the free webinar I’m hosting soon 🎉 ✨ This episode is for you if: You know Hangul and grammar basics, but conversations still feel clumsy You’ve been hovering around Level 2 or 3 for a while You feel like you “should be further along” You want to prep for TOPIK or real life in Korea — but don’t know where to start Resources & Links: 🌐 www.joaacademy.com – study tools & program updates 📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy 💌 Want feedback or guidance? Email Eliza directly! Enjoyed this episode? Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review—it helps TOPIK & Beyond reach more Korean learners around the world 💜

You’ve learned Hangul — the Korean alphabet. Now what? If you're feeling stuck between reading syllables and actually understanding or speaking Korean, you’re not alone. This episode is your gentle, structured guide to what comes next. We’ll talk about: Why the “post-Hangul slump” is so common What skills to build next (without overwhelm) What not to focus on first How to build real understanding, not just rules A sneak peek of the FLOW method you’ll use in Joa Academy’s upcoming program ✨ You don’t need more flashcards. You need flow. 📩 Want personal study tips? Reply to this week’s email newsletter or email info@joaacademy.com.   Resources & Links: 🌐 www.joaacademy.com – study tools & program updates 📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy 💌 Want feedback or guidance? Email Eliza directly! Enjoyed this episode? Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review—it helps TOPIK & Beyond reach more Korean learners around the world 💜

In Part 2 of our summer pronunciation series, we’re stepping it up just a little. Today, Eliza helps you practice some of the most confusing — but important — sounds in Korean: ✅ Double consonants (ㄲ, ㅃ, ㅆ…) ✅ Compound vowels (ㅘ, ㅝ, ㅟ, ㅢ…) ✅ Double 받침 (like 읽다, 앉다, 닭) Repeat each section out loud to build rhythm, listening accuracy, and pronunciation flow — no visuals needed! 🗣 You’ll Practice Words Like: 꺼내다 (to take out) 뽀뽀 (kiss) 희망 (hope) 귀 (ear) 닭 (chicken) 값 (price) …and many more. This is the kind of episode you can play 3–4 times this week — the more repetition, the better. 💡 Why This Episode Matters: If you already learned Hangul, but you’re still unsure how to pronounce trickier words out loud, you’re not alone. This episode will help train your ear, mouth, and muscle memory so you feel more natural speaking Korean. 📩 Want the word list from today’s episode? Email info@joaacademy.com and we’ll send it to you! Resources & Links: 🌐 www.joaacademy.com – study tools & program updates 📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy 💌 Want feedback or guidance? Email Eliza directly! Enjoyed this episode? Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review—it helps TOPIK & Beyond reach more Korean learners around the world 💜

Are you still unsure about how to pronounce Korean words out loud? Do you know Hangul but hesitate when speaking? This episode is for you 💛 Inspired by a listener request, Eliza walks you through the most essential Korean sounds — slowly, clearly, and with real-life vocabulary you can repeat and remember. This is Part 1 of a 2-episode pronunciation mini series designed for A0–A1 learners, or anyone who wants to reconnect with Korean from the ground up. What You’ll Practice 14 core syllables: 가, 나, 다, 라, 마, 바, 사, 아, 자, 차, 카, 타, 파, 하 5 simple words per sound — repeat after Eliza Natural pronunciation rhythm (no reading required!) Confidence to speak aloud — even if you’re starting from zero This Episode Is Perfect If You… Are new to Korean and want a gentle starting point Learned Hangul a long time ago but forgot most of it Know how to read but aren’t confident pronouncing out loud Want a low-pressure way to connect with Korean over the summer Resources & Links:🎁 Free Download — Korean Conversation Kickstart KitReady to start speaking Korean with more confidence? Grab my free Conversation Kickstart Kit — a practical guide with real-life phrases and speaking support. 👉Download here 🌐 www.joaacademy.com – study tools & program updates📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy💌 Want feedback or guidance? Email Eliza directly! Enjoyed this episode? Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review—it helps TOPIK & Beyond reach more Korean learners around the world 💜

Before we say goodbye to July, let’s take a calm moment to reflect. In this short all-Korean episode, Eliza guides you through a gentle review of what we learned this month, some fun expressions that came up, and how to prep your mindset for the rest of the summer — without pressure. Perfect for intermediate learners who want to slow down, listen actively, and keep Korean close in daily life. You’ll Hear About: Common expressions we covered in July A few simple questions to reflect on your study flow What “realistic goals” look like in summer Light routine (10 min listening, 1 sentence journal) Expressions Highlighted: 그냥 그래 – “So-so” 헐~ 진짜? – “What?! Really?” 부담 없이 – “Without pressure” 복습하다 – to review 습관을 만들다 – to build a habit Listener Invitation: What did you love learning this month? What’s one tiny habit you want to bring with you into August? Resources & Links:🎁 Free Download — Korean Conversation Kickstart KitReady to start speaking Korean with more confidence? Grab my free Conversation Kickstart Kit — a practical guide with real-life phrases and speaking support. 👉Download here 🌐 www.joaacademy.com – study tools & program updates📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy💌 Want feedback or guidance? Email Eliza directly! Enjoyed this episode? Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review—it helps TOPIK & Beyond reach more Korean learners around the world 💜

Feeling off track lately? In this short reset episode, Eliza guides you through a few reflection prompts — in Korean — to help you check in, breathe, and gently reconnect to your Korean goals. No judgment. No pressure. Just a chance to regroup and realign. What You’ll Hear: A calming summer check-in in Korean Questions to ask yourself about your Korean journey Eliza’s own mini reset routine Vocabulary to describe this “off season” with grace Vocabulary Highlights: 흔들리기 쉬운 시기 – a shaky/off-balance season 다시 정리하는 시간 – regrouping/reset time 현실적인 목표 – realistic goal Listener Invitation:This week, choose just one feel-good way to stay connected to Korean. What’s been feeling hard? What’s one small thing you can do right now? What kind of support do you need? Let’s keep it light and loving. Next week, we explore real-life Korean expressions again. Resources & Links:🎁 Free Download — Korean Conversation Kickstart KitReady to start speaking Korean with more confidence? Grab my free Conversation Kickstart Kit — a practical guide with real-life phrases and speaking support. 👉Download here 🌐 www.joaacademy.com – study tools & program updates📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy💌 Want feedback or guidance? Email Eliza directly! Enjoyed this episode? Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review—it helps TOPIK & Beyond reach more Korean learners around the world 💜

What are the real phrases Koreans say in conversation — that don’t show up in your textbook? In this episode, Eliza shares casual, emotional expressions she personally heard and used in the past few weeks. From chatting at cafés to reading family group chats, you’ll get a real-world peek into how Koreans express mood, surprise, and comfort. In This Episode: Real expressions like 헐, 그냥 그래, 귀찮아, 응응 Storytime: What Eliza overheard at a café and in her family chat Vocab spotlight + how to sound natural and emotional in conversation The beauty of messy, casual Korean — and why it matters for fluency Why You’ll Love It:This episode is your chance to listen like a local and expand your emotional fluency. Great for intermediate learners who want to sound more natural and less robotic.Listener Challenge:Try using 2 expressions from today’s episode — in a text, a voice memo, or your inner dialogue. Then tell Eliza: 👉 Which ones surprised you? 👉 Which felt fun to use? Resources & Links:🎁 Free Download — Korean Conversation Kickstart KitReady to start speaking Korean with more confidence? Grab my free Conversation Kickstart Kit — a practical guide with real-life phrases and speaking support. 👉Download here 🌐 www.joaacademy.com – study tools & program updates📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy💌 Want feedback or guidance? Email Eliza directly! Enjoyed this episode? Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review—it helps TOPIK & Beyond reach more Korean learners around the world 💜