TOPIK & Beyond

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’...

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 Vocab...

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, 귀...

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 a busy work schedule. No pressure. No long study blocks.  Just small, consistent moments that make Korean feel like part of her real life — not just a subject. In This Episode: Kat’s 3-step daily Korean rhythm (no “studying” required) Why one sentence...

We’re closing out June — and the full-length season — with a gentle reflection and routine reset. This final full episode before our Summer Drops series will help you: Reflect on what you’ve studied this month Set a realistic, flexible summer study rhythm Practice Korean expressions for goal-setting Build a light TOPIK writing/listening habit to stay on track 🎯 TOPIK Focus: How to use short writi...

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 through a mid-year check-in that helps you realign with your goals and reduce overwhelm. Whether you’ve been consistent or completely off-track, this episode gives you a low-pressure space to restart. You’ll learn: 3 reflection questions to guide your June rese...

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 this gentle and practical episode, Eliza shares: 5 simple ways to keep your Korean active (in just minutes a day) How to use past knowledge for light review Real-life Korean expressions to talk about slow or passive learning A reminder: you don’t need to feel guilty...

Spring might be over, but your progress hasn’t stopped. In this reflection-style episode, Eliza gently walks you through the ways you’ve likely improved in Korean — even if it doesn’t feel like it — while reviewing real-life seasonal expressions and reconnecting it all to the TOPIK exam. You’ll learn: Korean phrases that describe spring in past tense 🌸 How to express your spring growth in Korean...

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 May—from family events and cultural holidays in Korea and France, to what it’s like juggling motherhood, teaching, and running a Korean learning community. You'll hear: Natural, native-level storytelling in Korean Real expressions and sentence flow to tr...

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 & Beyond, Eliza shares how to start reviewing your Korean writing and speaking like a native teacher would. Whether you’re prepping for TOPIK or just want to feel more confident, you’ll learn how to spot mistakes, self-edit, and build real progress betwe...

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 in this episode, we're going to fix that. In this week’s TOPIK & Beyond, Eliza guides you through how to stop thinking in English and start thinking in Korean, even if you're not fluent yet. This episode is filled with mindset shifts, language ch...

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 to speak confidently in real life. In this week’s episode of TOPIK & Beyond, Eliza shares the most important grammar patterns you should focus on if you're aiming for TOPIK II Level 4—or simply want to sound more natural in everyday Korean conversati...

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 shares a practical, low-stress guide to restarting your Korean studies after a slump. Whether you took a break because of work, school, or life (it happens!), today’s episode will help you reconnect with your goals without overwhelm. In this episode, you...

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. Eliza walks you through how to build a consistent writing practice routine, avoid common mistakes, and structure your essays for clarity and impact—all in Korean. Whether you understand 70% or just 30%, listening to natural Korean at this level will st...

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 you a clear, practical guide to building a study routine that actually works. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why consistency > intensity in TOPIK prep What a week of smart study looks like (sample schedules included!) How to turn K-dramas and podca...

Headed to Korea this spring? Whether it’s for cherry blossoms, sightseeing, or simply soaking in the culture, this episode is your ultimate Korean survival guide. Eliza shares 25+ real-life phrases for travelers—covering shopping, transportation, eating out, and more—plus grammar tips, a repeat-after-me practice, and a TOPIK-style reading challenge. You’ll Learn: Survival phrases for everyday trav...

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 to know about using a 편의점 like a local. From heating up a 도시락 to sending packages, you'll learn key vocabulary, practical phrases, and a grammar point that shows up often on the TOPIK exam. Plus, test your reading skills with a TOPIK-style question...

Handwriting might seem like a small detail, but in Korean culture, 글씨체 (handwriting style) carries a lot of significance! From traditional calligraphy (서예) to modern handwriting, the way you write can affect how others perceive your work—and in the case of TOPIK II, it can even impact your score! In this full Korean episode, we explore:  ✅ The different types of Korean handwriting styles ✍️...

Did you know that using Korean proverbs (속담) can instantly improve your fluency and boost your TOPIK score? 📚✨ In today’s episode of TOPIK & Beyond, we’re diving into essential Korean proverbs that will help you sound more natural in conversations, strengthen your writing skills, and prepare for TOPIK. By the end of this episode, you’ll know how to:  ✅ Recognize common proverbs in daily c...

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! Korea also has a special relationship-themed holiday on the 14th of every month, including Black Day for singles, Kiss Day, and even Hug Day! 🤗 By the end of this episode, you’ll be able to talk about dating, romance, and celebrations in Korean—and even impr...

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 break down some of the most commonly used sentence endings, explain their meanings, and show you how they appear in the TOPIK II exam. By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly when to use endings like -거든요, -잖아요, -네요, and -지 to sound more...

Welcome back to TOPIK & Beyond! In today’s full Korean episode, we reflect on two important events in Korean history: the 2.28 Student Democratic Movement and the March 1st Independence Movement. These events shaped Korea’s fight for democracy and independence and teach us valuable lessons about strategy, unity, and persistence—qualities that are crucial not just in history but also when prepa...

Particles are small, but they’re powerful in Korean! In this episode of TOPIK & Beyond, we’re diving into three commonly confused particles: -도 (also), -만 (only), and -밖에 (nothing but). These particles can make or break your sentences, so mastering them is key to sounding fluent and scoring higher on the TOPIK exam. You’ll learn how to use each particle correctly, avoid common mistakes, an...

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! 💖 In this special episode of TOPIK & Beyond, we’re spreading the love—Korean style! Today, I’ll introduce you to my TOPIK II Mastery Program, the program I created with love and care to help learners like you succeed on the TOPIK II exam. Whether you struggle with writing, reading, listening, or even speaking, this program provides a well-rounded approach to m...

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 that a simple translation doesn’t do them justice. In this episode of TOPIK & Beyond, we explore some of these “untranslatable” words and uncover what they reveal about Korean society. You’ll learn: The cultural significance of words like 정, 한, and 눈...