The Complete Korean Guide:
A Script the World Has Praised
Hangul's history and design, essential greetings, the honorifics system, and the TOPIK proficiency test — explained for beginners.
The History of Hangul
Hangul was created by King Sejong of the Joseon dynasty and promulgated in 1446 under the name "Hunminjeongeum." The Hunminjeongeum Haerye is inscribed on UNESCO's Memory of the World register, and UNESCO awards the "King Sejong Literacy Prize" to individuals and organizations advancing literacy.
Basic Structure & Hangul Day
Hangul consists of 24 basic letters — 14 consonants and 10 vowels — which combine into syllable blocks. South Korea observes October 9th every year as "Hangul Day," a public holiday commemorating the promulgation of Hunminjeongeum.
The Honorifics System
Korean has a well-developed honorifics (formality) system, where speech level shifts based on your relationship, relative age, and the situation. Beginners typically start by learning the polite speech forms (the -seumnida/-yo styles) as their default.
Basic Greetings
Korean Language FAQ
When and by whom was Hangul created?
Hangul was created by King Sejong, the fourth king of the Joseon dynasty, and promulgated in 1446 under the name 'Hunminjeongeum.' The Hunminjeongeum Haerye (the explanatory volume) is inscribed on UNESCO's Memory of the World register, and UNESCO also administers the King Sejong Literacy Prize, awarded to individuals or organizations that advance literacy.
What principles is Hangul built on?
Hangul is a phonetic alphabet in which consonants and vowels combine into syllable blocks. According to the Hunminjeongeum Haerye, the consonant shapes were designed to mimic the shape of the mouth/tongue when pronouncing them, while the vowel shapes are based on philosophical symbols for heaven, earth, and humanity. It's widely regarded as a highly systematic script capable of representing a wide range of sounds with a small number of basic letters.
What is TOPIK?
TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) is a standardized test administered by an agency of the Korean government to evaluate Korean-language ability among non-native speakers. It's widely used to demonstrate Korean proficiency for study-abroad or employment purposes, with difficulty split across multiple levels. Check the official TOPIK website for current test dates and registration.