TOPIK & Beyond
Episodes
#73: Why Koreans Say Sorry Instead of Thank You - 12 Korean Words to Know
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever heard a Korean person apologise when you expected them to say thank you — and wondered what was really happening? In this episode of T...
#72: 아침 먹었어? (Did you eat?)
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Real Meaning Behind One of the Most Common Korean Questions: Why do Koreans ask “밥 먹었어요?” so often?For many Korean learners, this qu...
#71: From Korea to France: Learn Korean Vocabulary Through My Language Learning Story
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Want to learn Korean vocabulary in a way that actually sticks? In this episode of TOPIK & Beyond - the Korean language learning podcast for TOPIK ...
#70: Why Your TOPIK Writing Still Feels Like Level 3
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Are you aiming for TOPIK Level 4 or 5, but your writing still feels simple, repetitive, or stuck?In this episode of TOPIK & Beyond, Eliza breaks d...
#69: 설날: What Textbooks Don’t Tell You About Lunar New Year in Korea
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What is 설날 (Seollal) really like in Korea?In this special Lunar New Year episode of TOPIK & Beyond, Eliza shares the cultural, emotional, and ...
#68: Why Korean Conversations Can Feel Polite but Distant
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever had a Korean conversation that felt polite, correct, and smooth — but somehow still distant?In this episode of TOPIK & Beyond, Eli...
#67: From Translation to Intuition: How Korean Starts to Feel Natural
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Many Korean learners don’t struggle because they lack vocabulary or grammar.They struggle because everything still has to pass through another langu...
#66: Before You Try to Speak Korean Again, Listen to This
27 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If speaking Korean feels heavy, overwhelming, or emotionally draining right now, this episode is for you.In this quiet, grounding episode of TOPIK &am...
#65: Why Speaking Korean Feels So Mentally Exhausting (And What to Do Instead)
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Do you feel mentally exhausted when you try to speak Korean?Does your mind go blank, feel crowded, or shut down even though you’ve studied?In this e...
#64: How to Use Korean Even on Busy Days (Without Studying More)
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Many Korean learners stop studying not because they don’t care — but because life gets busy.In this episode of TOPIK & Beyond, Eliza shares pr...
#63: A Simple Korean Routine You Can Actually Keep in 2026
06 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The start of a new year often comes with pressure — new goals, new plans, and the fear of repeating the same cycle with Korean learning.In this firs...
#62: How I’d Learn Korean in 2026 (If I Were You)
30 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As 2025 comes to a close, this episode offers a calm, honest reflection on how to approach Korean learning in the new year — without pressure, burno...
#61: A Cozy Christmas Abroad - A Gentle Story in Korean
23 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This special Christmas episode is a gentle Korean listening experience — no studying, no pressure, just listening and feeling.In this episode, Eliza...
#60: How TOPIK Graders Actually Read Your Essay
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many learners lose points not because their grammar is bad, but because their writing lacks clear structure, logical flow, or consistent written style...
#59: Why TOPIK Writing Feels Hard — And How to Finally Make It Click
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you feel like TOPIK Writing is confusing, overwhelming, or just “too hard”… you’re not alone.In this episode, Eliza explains the real reaso...
#58: Your Korean Year-in-Review: What You Actually Learned in 2025
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
December is the perfect moment to pause, breathe, and look back at your Korean learning journey. In today’s gentle episode, Eliza helps you realize ...
#57: What November Looked Like for Me – in Korean (TOPIK II Listening Practice)
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s episode is for all my intermediate learners preparing for TOPIK II or wanting to improve their listening comprehension through real-life...
#56: Speaking vs. Writing in Korean: Why You Struggle with One (But Not the Other)
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do you ever feel confident speaking Korean… but totally freeze when writing an essay or TOPIK answer? Or maybe your written Korean is polished,...
#55: How to Use Examples in TOPIK II Writing (Without Sounding Basic)
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 w...
#54: TOPIK II Writing Mistake - Tone Problems That Lower Your Score
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
#53: Write With Me: Answering a Real TOPIK II Question Step-by-Step
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 que...
#52: Korean Writing Expressions Koreans Actually Use in Reports (That TOPIK Loves)
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
#51: The #1 Mistake in TOPIK II Writing (and How to Fix It)
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
#50: Speak More Korean - Even If You’re Busy (Chuseok Edition)
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ha...
Bonus: Korean Roleplay Chaos - My First Day at Work Went Terribly Wrong (Korean Roleplay)
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this fun bonus episode, Eliza and Jim Figueroa dive into a totally unscripted roleplay that’s full of surprises, real emotions, and natural Korea...
#49: Paranoia, Conflict, and K-Drama Phrases: Language Lessons from They Come in Peace
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Want to watch this conversation? We recorded the full interview on video - catch it here: https://www.joaacademy.com/jim-figueroa-korean-cul...
#48: 5-Minute Korean Habits That Actually Work
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
#47: Are You Using Korean or Just Learning It?
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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’...
#46: Back to Korean — How to Reset After Summer (Even If You Feel Behind)
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 f...
#45: How to Practice Real Korean: From Hesitation to Confidence
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve studied vocabulary. You’ve memorized grammar. But speaking still feels awkward... and confidence? Still missing? This episode is for you. W...
#44: What I Wish Korean Learners Knew Before They Hit B1
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 an...
#43: You Know Hangul… Now What?
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve learned Hangul — the Korean alphabet. Now what? If you're feeling stuck between reading syllables and actually understanding or speaking Ko...
#42: Summer Drop Series_Let’s Learn Korean Sounds Together – Part 2
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 —...
#41: Summer Drop Series_Let’s Learn Korean Sounds Together – Part 1
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 💛 In...
#40: Summer Drop Series_Summer Review
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 wh...
#39: Summer Drop Series_Your Summer Reset
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling off track lately? In this short reset episode, Eliza guides you through a few reflection prompts — in Korean — to help you check in, ...
#38: Summer Drop Series_Real Expressions Koreans Actually Use
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What are the real phrases Koreans say in conversation — that don’t show up in your textbook? In this episode, Eliza shares casual, emotional expre...
#37: Summer Drop Series_Kat’s Korean Habit
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Eliza shares the story of Kat, a student from New York, and how she stays gently connected to Korean in her everyday routine — even with ...
#36: Your Summer Reset Starts Here ☀️ (Full Korean)
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re closing out June — and the full-length season — with a gentle reflection and routine reset. This final full episode before our Summer Drop...
#35: Your June Reset Starts Now: Let’s Get Clear
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve made it halfway through 2025 — now’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and reset. In this calm and clear episode, Eliza walks you throu...
#34: How to Study Lightly (Without Feeling Guilty)
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Summer’s here—and so is the temptation to stop studying. But what if you didn’t have to study “hard” to stay connected to Korean? In th...
#33: Spring Wrap-Up: What You’ve Learned (Even If You Feel Behind)
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Spring might be over, but your progress hasn’t stopped. In this reflection-style episode, Eliza gently walks you through the ways you’ve like...
#32: A May Story + Listening Practice Together (Full Korean Episode)
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We're closing out May with something special: a full Korean listening practice episode 🎧 In this episode, Eliza shares a story from her month of Ma...
#31: How to Self-Correct Like a Native Teacher
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Not everyone has access to 1:1 Korean lessons or real-time feedback. But that doesn’t mean you can’t improve. In this week’s episode of TOPIK &a...
#30: How to Think in Korean: From Translation to Intuition
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do you still translate every Korean sentence in your head before speaking or writing? That habit might be the #1 thing slowing down your fluency—and...
#29: The Most Useful Grammar for Level 4 TOPIK II & Daily Life
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling overwhelmed by Korean grammar? You’re not alone.But here’s some good news: you don’t need to master everything to succeed at TOPIK II or...
#28: How to Restart After a Korean Study Slump (Without Stress)
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling stuck or guilty about your Korean progress lately?You're not alone — and you're not behind. In this episode of TOPIK & Beyond, Eliza sha...
#27: Mastering TOPIK II Writing: Study Routines & Strategies for a High Score (Full Korean)
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This special full Korean episode is all about helping you gain confidence in one of the most challenging sections of TOPIK II: the writing section. El...
#26: Your Roadmap to TOPIK Success: How to Build a Study Routine That Works
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling overwhelmed with how to study for the TOPIK exam? Whether you’re just getting started or trying to reach that next level, this episode gives...
#25: Survival Korean: 25+ Must-Know Phrases for Traveling in Korea
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Headed to Korea this spring? Whether it’s for cherry blossoms, sightseeing, or simply soaking in the culture, this episode is your ultimate Korean s...
#24: Korean Convenience Stores: A Must-Know for Everyday Life
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Convenience stores in Korea are more than snack stops—they’re a big part of everyday life! In this episode, Eliza breaks down everything you need ...
#23: The Art of Korean Handwriting and Why It Matters (Full Korean)
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Handwriting might seem like a small detail, but in Korean culture, 글씨체 (handwriting style) carries a lot of significance! From traditional calli...
#22: Korean Proverbs You Need to Know for TOPIK and Beyond
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know that using Korean proverbs (속담) can instantly improve your fluency and boost your TOPIK score? 📚✨ In today’s episode of TOPIK ...
#21: White Day & Korea’s Monthly Couple Holidays – How Korea Celebrates Love!
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know that in Korea, Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples—and that March 14th, White Day, is just as important? But that’s not all! K...
#20: Korean Sentence Endings: How to Sound Natural & Express Emotion
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Choosing the right sentence ending in Korean can make all the difference in how polite, natural, or expressive you sound! In this episode, we’ll bre...
#19: Reflecting on Korean History: 2.28 and 3.1 Movements
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to TOPIK & Beyond! In today’s full Korean episode, we reflect on two important events in Korean history: the 2.28 Student Democrati...
#18: A Guide to -도, -만, -밖에: Korean Particles That Make or Break Your Sentences
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Particles are small, but they’re powerful in Korean! In this episode of TOPIK & Beyond, we’re diving into three commonly confused particles: -...
#17: Valentine’s Day Special: Feel the Love with Our TOPIK II Mastery Program
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! 💖 In this special episode of TOPIK & Beyond, we’re spreading the love—Korean style! Today, I’ll introd...
#16: Untranslatable Words and Expressions: Understanding Korean Culture Through Language
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever come across a Korean word that just doesn’t translate neatly into English? Words like 정 (jeong) or 눈치 (nunchi) carry meanings so deep tha...
#15:Exploring Korean Idioms and Proverbs: Seollal Special (Full Korean)
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
새해 복 많이 받으세요! (Happy New Year!) In this full-Korean episode of TOPIK & Beyond, we celebrate the Lunar New Year by diving into th...
#14: Demystifying the Listening Section of TOPIK: Tips, Grammar, and Practice
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Does the listening section of the TOPIK exam make you nervous? You’re not alone! In this episode of TOPIK & Beyond, Eliza breaks down the essent...
#13: Study Tips for Beginner Korean Learners
14 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Struggling to stay consistent in your Korean language studies? In this episode of TOPIK & Beyond, Eliza shares practical strategies to help beginn...
#12: Achieve Your Korean Language Goals with TOPIK & Beyond
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to year 2025's very first episode of TOPIK & Beyond! In this episode, your host Eliza shares the inspiring story behind the creation ...
#11: Reflecting on the Year and Setting Goals
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As 2024 comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on your progress and set new goals for 2025. In this episode of TOPIK & Beyond, we di...
#10: Celebrating Christmas and New Year in Korea
24 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this festive episode of TOPIK & Beyond, we explore how Korea celebrates Christmas and New Year, blending global customs with uniquely Korean tr...
#9: Korean Holiday Foods
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of TOPIK & Beyond, we’re diving into the world of Korean holiday foods, where tradition meets flavor. Learn about the dishes tha...
#8: Discover Korea’s Magical Winter Traditions
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Winter in Korea is a season filled with charm, warmth, and unique traditions. In this episode of TOPIK & Beyond, we explore the magic of Korean wi...
#7: Celebrating 송년회: End-of-Year Parties in Korean Culture
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of TOPIK & Beyond, we dive into the Korean tradition of 송년회 (song-nyeon-hoe), or end-of-year parties. These gatherings are a...
#6: Express Yourself in Korean: Key Phrases to Speak with Confidence
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode Description:In this episode, we dive into three essential areas to help you express yourself naturally in Korean: describing your feelings, ta...
#5: Sound Natural in Korean: Using -어요 and -는 거예요
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this full-Korean episode, we’re focusing on two essential forms, -어요 and -는 거예요, that can make your Korean sound more natural and con...
#4: Sound Natural in Korean: Essential Fillers You Need to Know
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we dive into a key ingredient for sounding natural in Korean: fillers! Learn how to use essential fillers like 음 (um…), 그러니...
#3: One Reason You Don’t Sound Like a Native
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we explore how the present tense in Korean transitions from formal, textbook-style language to natural, conversational expressions. I...
#2: Essential Vocabulary for TOPIK: Leveling Up from TOPIK I to II
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we’ll explore key vocabulary to help you start transitioning from TOPIK Level I to Level II. These words will not only support your...
#1: Welcome to TOPIK & Beyond: Your Korean Language Journey Starts Here!
19 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the first episode of TOPIK & Beyond! I'm Eliza, a certified Korean teacher, and in this podcast, I'm here to guide you through your Ko...