I’ve spent years learning Korean, and I’ve tried them all. To save you time, I’ve curated the top 10 "must-know" websites. This list is a key part of our [A Beginner's Complete Guide to Learning Korean] and will help you build a study plan that's both effective and (mostly) free.
Here are the best websites for self-studying Korean in 2026.
The "Big Three" (Choose One as Your "Core")
Most self-studiers build their plan around one of these three sites.
1. Talk To Me In Korean (TTMIK)
Best for: Beginners who love audio and a friendly, structured path.
Link:
talktomeinkorean.com
TTMIK is the most popular starting point for a reason. Their core curriculum is a series of 10 "Levels" (Levels 1-3 are perfect for beginners). Each lesson is a short, fun 10-15 minute podcast in English where friendly hosts explain a single grammar point. It’s not overwhelming and feels like you’re learning with friends.
Pros: Free core curriculum, podcast format is great for commutes, very beginner-friendly.
Cons: You’ll need to buy their workbooks (which are excellent) or look elsewhere for heavy practice.
2. HowToStudyKorean.com
Best for: Serious, academic learners who want deep grammar explanations.
Link:
howtostudykorean.com
If TTMIK is your friendly tutor, HowToStudyKorean.com (HTSK) is your strict, brilliant university professor. This site is a massive, 100% free textbook. It offers over 150+ in-depth lessons that explain every nuance of Korean grammar in detail. Each lesson comes with extensive vocabulary lists and example sentences.
Pros: Incredibly thorough, 100% free, the best resource for understanding complex grammar.
Cons: Text-heavy and dense; can be intimidating for casual learners.
3. Go Billy Korean
Best for: Visual learners who prefer YouTube-style video lessons.
Link:
gobillykorean.com
Billy is a fluent American who has been teaching Korean for over a decade. His strength is his clear, practical video lessons on YouTube. His website organizes these lessons into a structured course. He’s especially known for his "Korean Made Simple" book series, which many learners use as their primary textbook.
Pros: Clear video explanations, friendly and relatable teacher, practical approach.
Cons: The core content is on YouTube, so the website is more of a hub for his videos and paid books.
The Essential Tools (Bookmark These Now)
4. Naver Dictionary
Best for: Everyone. You cannot learn Korean without this.
Link:
dict.naver.com
Stop using Google Translate. Naver Dictionary is the #1 dictionary used by native Koreans and professional translators. It gives you detailed definitions, countless example sentences, verb conjugations, and audio. Its companion app, Papago, is the most accurate translator for Korean-English.
5. King Sejong Institute Foundation
Best for: The official, government-approved curriculum.
Link:
nuri.iksi.or.kr
This is the official online home of the King Sejong Institute, the Korean government's global language program (the same one used by the KCC in the Philippines). You can access their official e-books and online learning materials for free. This is the most "correct" and formal Korean you can learn.
The Best Supplemental Resources
6. KoreanClass101
Best for: A massive library of audio and video lessons for all levels.
Link:
koreanclass101.com
This is a "freemium" site. While they have a lot of paid content, their free account gives you access to a huge number of lessons. They are great for "situational" learning (e.g., "How to Order at a Restaurant," "How to Talk About K-Pop"). Their main strength is the sheer volume of content.
7. Yonsei University (on Coursera)
Best for: A structured university-level course, for free.
Link:
coursera.org/learn/learn-to-speak-korean1
One of the top universities in Korea put its entire "Learn to Speak Korean 1" course on Coursera for free (you just pay if you want the certificate). It’s a 6-week video course that covers the basics of Hangeul and conversational skills. It’s a high-quality, professional, and structured way to start.
8. KBS World
Best for: Intermediate learners who need listening practice.
Link:
world.kbs.co.kr
KBS is one of Korea’s major broadcasting stations. Their website (and radio app) is an amazing free resource for "immersion." You can listen to the news, K-Pop radio, and cultural programs. They have a specific "Let's Learn Korean" segment, but its real value is in training your ear to real, native-speed Korean.
9. Dom & Hyo
Best for: Fun, simple vocabulary infographics.
Link:
domandhyo.com
This site is run by a couple who create cute, simple infographics to explain Korean words, phrases, and culture. It’s not a "course," but it’s a wonderful, fun supplement for picking up new vocabulary in a visual way. Great to follow on social media.
10. HelloTalk (Web & App)
Best for: Finding native speakers to practice with.
Link:
hellotalk.com
You can’t just study; you have to practice. HelloTalk is a language exchange community. You find native Korean speakers who are learning English, and you teach each other. You can text, send voice messages, and even call them. This is how you take your textbook Korean and make it real.
Read our guide: [How to Practice Speaking Korean for Free]
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