TOPIK & Beyond

By Eliza Wang

Welcome to TOPIK & Beyond! Whether you're just starting to learn Korean or preparing to pass the TOPIK exam, this podcast is your companion on the journey. In each episode, we’ll explore useful vo... more

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FAQs about TOPIK & Beyond:

How many episodes does TOPIK & Beyond have?

The podcast currently has 46 episodes available.

TOPIK & Beyond episodes:

September 02, 2025#46: Back to Korean — How to Reset After Summer (Even If You Feel Behind)
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 for you.
Eliza shares five real Korean expressions to help you restart gently, rebuild confidence, and reconnect with your goals — without guilt or overwhelm.
In This Episode:
Common emotional blocks in September — and how to shift them
Korean phrases for saying “I’m starting again” (in real life)
Speaking practice: repeat-after-me segments to get back into your flow
What’s coming to TOPIK & Beyond this season
A sneak peek at the upcoming 5-Day Speaking Challenge
Today’s Korean Phrases:
다시 시작하려고요 – I’m trying to start again
요즘 좀 쉬었어요 – I’ve been on a break lately
이번 달부터 다시 해보려고요 – I’ll try again starting this month
괜찮아요, 천천히 해도 돼요 – It’s okay. You can go slowly
이번엔 꾸준히 해보고 싶어요 – I want to stay consistent this time
Resources Mentioned:
➕ Practice Real Korean — With Confidence
➕ Get Ready for the 5-Day Speaking Challenge
Details coming soon — stay on the email list to be the first to know!
Want a personal invite to the challenge? Join my email list at www.joaacademy.com
Resources & Links:
www.joaacademy.com – study tools & program updates
Instagram: @korean.joaacademy
Enjoyed this episode?
Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review—it helps TOPIK & Beyond reach more Korean learners around the world 💜
...more
17min
August 26, 2025#45: How to Practice Real Korean: From Hesitation to Confidence
You’ve studied vocabulary.
You’ve memorized grammar.
But speaking still feels awkward... and confidence? Still missing?
This episode is for you.
We’re wrapping up the summer series with a powerful transition into your next stage of Korean learning. Eliza shares the exact mindset + method shift that helps learners finally move from passive study → to real, confident Korean usage.
Inside the episode:
Why you're stuck and it's not what you think
What “real” Korean practice looks like
How to build confidence even if you feel unsure
A free tool to help you shift your practice habits now
A special invite to the upcoming live webinar on Aug 28!
Episode Highlights:
The “hesitation zone” and how to break through it
Active vs. passive practice: what’s actually building your fluency?
A behind-the-scenes preview of the Practice Real Korean Kit
How the Korean FLOW Club supports daily, realistic progress
The upcoming webinar: Speak Korean Naturally in Just 3 Steps That Finally Stick (Aug 28!)
🧰 Resources Mentioned:
✅ Practice Real Korean Freebie
Build your confidence with real-life prompts and speaking support
👉 Download here
🎉 Free Live Webinar – August 28
Topic: How to Practice Korean with Confidence
Details and registration 👉 Check out here

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or search “TOPIK & Beyond.”
Resources & Links:
🌐 www.joaacademy.com – study tools & program updates
📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy
💌 Want feedback or guidance? Email Eliza directly!
Enjoyed this episode?
Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review—it helps TOPIK & Beyond reach more Korean learners around the world 💜
...more
10min
August 19, 2025#44: What I Wish Korean Learners Knew Before They Hit B1
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 and you’re not doing it wrong.
This week’s episode dives into the "pre-B1 plateau" that so many Korean learners hit — and what you actually need to focus on before trying to level up.
We’ll talk about:
Why B1 is where most learners feel stuck
What I wish students knew before hitting this level
The mindset shift that builds lasting fluency
How I guide my students through the “I should know this already” phase
A sneak peek at the free webinar I’m hosting soon 🎉
✨ This episode is for you if:
You know Hangul and grammar basics, but conversations still feel clumsy
You’ve been hovering around Level 2 or 3 for a while
You feel like you “should be further along”
You want to prep for TOPIK or real life in Korea — but don’t know where to start
Resources & Links:
🌐 www.joaacademy.com – study tools & program updates
📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy
💌 Want feedback or guidance? Email Eliza directly!
Enjoyed this episode?
Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review—it helps TOPIK & Beyond reach more Korean learners around the world 💜
...more
18min
August 12, 2025#43: You Know Hangul… Now What?
You’ve learned Hangul — the Korean alphabet.
Now what?
If you're feeling stuck between reading syllables and actually understanding or speaking Korean, you’re not alone. This episode is your gentle, structured guide to what comes next.
We’ll talk about:
Why the “post-Hangul slump” is so common
What skills to build next (without overwhelm)
What not to focus on first
How to build real understanding, not just rules
A sneak peek of the FLOW method you’ll use in Joa Academy’s upcoming program
✨ You don’t need more flashcards. You need flow.
📩 Want personal study tips?
Reply to this week’s email newsletter or email [email protected].

Resources & Links:
🌐 www.joaacademy.com – study tools & program updates
📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy
💌 Want feedback or guidance? Email Eliza directly!
Enjoyed this episode?
Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review—it helps TOPIK & Beyond reach more Korean learners around the world 💜
...more
21min
August 05, 2025#42: Summer Drop Series_Let’s Learn Korean Sounds Together – Part 2
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 — but important — sounds in Korean:
✅ Double consonants (ㄲ, ㅃ, ㅆ…)
✅ Compound vowels (ㅘ, ㅝ, ㅟ, ㅢ…)
✅ Double 받침 (like 읽다, 앉다, 닭)
Repeat each section out loud to build rhythm, listening accuracy, and pronunciation flow — no visuals needed!
🗣 You’ll Practice Words Like:
꺼내다 (to take out)
뽀뽀 (kiss)
희망 (hope)
귀 (ear)
닭 (chicken)
값 (price)
…and many more.
This is the kind of episode you can play 3–4 times this week — the more repetition, the better.
💡 Why This Episode Matters:
If you already learned Hangul, but you’re still unsure how to pronounce trickier words out loud, you’re not alone. This episode will help train your ear, mouth, and muscle memory so you feel more natural speaking Korean.
📩 Want the word list from today’s episode?
Email info@joaacademy.com and we’ll send it to you!
Resources & Links:
🌐 www.joaacademy.com – study tools & program updates
📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy
💌 Want feedback or guidance? Email Eliza directly!
Enjoyed this episode?
Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review—it helps TOPIK & Beyond reach more Korean learners around the world 💜
...more
30min
July 29, 2025#41: Summer Drop Series_Let’s Learn Korean Sounds Together – Part 1
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 💛
Inspired by a listener request, Eliza walks you through the most essential Korean sounds — slowly, clearly, and with real-life vocabulary you can repeat and remember.
This is Part 1 of a 2-episode pronunciation mini series designed for A0–A1 learners, or anyone who wants to reconnect with Korean from the ground up.
What You’ll Practice
14 core syllables: 가, 나, 다, 라, 마, 바, 사, 아, 자, 차, 카, 타, 파, 하
5 simple words per sound — repeat after Eliza
Natural pronunciation rhythm (no reading required!)
Confidence to speak aloud — even if you’re starting from zero
This Episode Is Perfect If You…
Are new to Korean and want a gentle starting point
Learned Hangul a long time ago but forgot most of it
Know how to read but aren’t confident pronouncing out loud
Want a low-pressure way to connect with Korean over the summer
Resources & Links:
🎁 Free Download — Korean Conversation Kickstart Kit
Ready to start speaking Korean with more confidence? Grab my free Conversation Kickstart Kit — a practical guide with real-life phrases and speaking support. 👉Download here
🌐 www.joaacademy.com – study tools & program updates
📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy
💌 Want feedback or guidance? Email Eliza directly!
Enjoyed this episode?
Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review—it helps TOPIK & Beyond reach more Korean learners around the world 💜
...more
17min
July 22, 2025#40: Summer Drop Series_Summer Review
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’ll Hear About:
Common expressions we covered in July
A few simple questions to reflect on your study flow
What “realistic goals” look like in summer
Light routine (10 min listening, 1 sentence journal)

Expressions Highlighted:
그냥 그래 – “So-so”
헐~ 진짜? – “What?! Really?”
부담 없이 – “Without pressure”
복습하다 – to review
습관을 만들다 – to build a habit

Listener Invitation:
What did you love learning this month?
What’s one tiny habit you want to bring with you into August?
Resources & Links:
🎁 Free Download — Korean Conversation Kickstart Kit
Ready to start speaking Korean with more confidence? Grab my free Conversation Kickstart Kit — a practical guide with real-life phrases and speaking support. 👉Download here
🌐 www.joaacademy.com – study tools & program updates
📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy
💌 Want feedback or guidance? Email Eliza directly!
Enjoyed this episode?
Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review—it helps TOPIK & Beyond reach more Korean learners around the world 💜
...more
7min
July 15, 2025#39: Summer Drop Series_Your Summer Reset
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
Vocabulary to describe this “off season” with grace

Vocabulary Highlights:
흔들리기 쉬운 시기 – a shaky/off-balance season
다시 정리하는 시간 – regrouping/reset time
현실적인 목표 – realistic goal

Listener Invitation:
This week, choose just one feel-good way to stay connected to Korean.
What’s been feeling hard?
What’s one small thing you can do right now?
What kind of support do you need?
Let’s keep it light and loving.
Next week, we explore real-life Korean expressions again.
Resources & Links:
🎁 Free Download — Korean Conversation Kickstart Kit
Ready to start speaking Korean with more confidence? Grab my free Conversation Kickstart Kit — a practical guide with real-life phrases and speaking support. 👉Download here
🌐 www.joaacademy.com – study tools & program updates
📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy
💌 Want feedback or guidance? Email Eliza directly!
Enjoyed this episode?
Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review—it helps TOPIK & Beyond reach more Korean learners around the world 💜
...more
7min
July 08, 2025#38: Summer Drop Series_Real Expressions Koreans Actually Use
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, 귀찮아, 응응
Storytime: What Eliza overheard at a café and in her family chat
Vocab spotlight + how to sound natural and emotional in conversation
The beauty of messy, casual Korean — and why it matters for fluency

Why You’ll Love It:
This episode is your chance to listen like a local and expand your emotional fluency.
Great for intermediate learners who want to sound more natural and less robotic.

Listener Challenge:
Try using 2 expressions from today’s episode — in a text, a voice memo, or your inner dialogue.
Then tell Eliza:
👉 Which ones surprised you?
👉 Which felt fun to use?

Resources & Links:
🎁 Free Download — Korean Conversation Kickstart Kit
Ready to start speaking Korean with more confidence? Grab my free Conversation Kickstart Kit — a practical guide with real-life phrases and speaking support. 👉Download here
🌐 www.joaacademy.com – study tools & program updates
📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy
💌 Want feedback or guidance? Email Eliza directly!
Enjoyed this episode?
Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review—it helps TOPIK & Beyond reach more Korean learners around the world 💜
...more
9min
July 01, 2025#37: Summer Drop Series_Kat’s Korean Habit
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 a day can be enough
Easy phrases you can whisper to yourself — and still improve
Vocabulary highlights from Kat’s story
Vocab Highlights:
혼잣말로 말하다 — to speak to oneself
입모양으로 따라 하다 — to mouth or repeat quietly
야경 — night view
Listener Invitation:
What's your version of Kat’s habit?
This week, choose one light way to stay close to Korean:
- Say a sentence aloud in the morning
- Listen + repeat 1 phrase
- Write 2 lines at night
No grammar drills.
Just light listening, real language, and daily connection.
Let this episode be your Korean moment for today.
Resources & Links:

🎁 Free Download — Korean Conversation Kickstart Kit Ready to start speaking Korean with more confidence? Grab my free Conversation Kickstart Kit — a practical guide with real-life phrases and speaking support. 👉Download here
🌐 www.joaacademy.com – study tools & program updates
📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy
💌 Want feedback or guidance? Email Eliza directly!
Enjoyed this episode?
Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review—it helps TOPIK & Beyond reach more Korean learners around the world 💜
...more
9min

FAQs about TOPIK & Beyond:

How many episodes does TOPIK & Beyond have?

The podcast currently has 46 episodes available.