TOPIK & Beyond

In this episode, we dive into a key ingredient for sounding natural in Korean: fillers! Learn how to use essential fillers like 음 (um…), 그러니까 (so…), and 글쎄요 (well…) to make your Korean conversations feel smooth and effortless. These small words have a big impact, helping you bridge pauses, connect thoughts, and bring a relaxed, native tone to your speaking. Plus, get a sneak peek into next week’s full Korean episode and an exciting mini speaking challenge coming for Black Friday! Key

In this episode, we explore how the present tense in Korean transitions from formal, textbook-style language to natural, conversational expressions. I’ll guide you through three versions of a passage to highlight the differences between formal, beginner conversational, and intermediate conversational Korean. By understanding these styles, you’ll be able to adapt your Korean for different situations and sound more fluent. Plus, don’t miss my cultural note about Pepero Day, coming up on