익선동의 우산 하나
In the afternoon, Jisoo leaves a stationery shop in an Ikseon-dong alley. Rain suddenly pours down, drumming loudly on the tiled roofs.
What you'll learn
- Bilingual graded story
- Native narration
- 7 useful words
- 2 comprehension questions
Then shadow
Borrow the narrator’s rhythm
Pause after this line and repeat it aloud without translating. Aim for three clean repetitions.
1Listen first
Hear the whole story
Native Korean narration of this exact text. Keep the transcript visible on the first pass.
Playback speed: Natural
2Then shadow
오후에 지수는 익선동 골목의 문구점에서 나와요.Your speaking goal
Say that you do not have something and offer to share.
- “우산이 없어요”
- “같이 갈까요?”
- “제가 우산을 들어 줄게요”
Warm-up vocabulary
Preview 3 optional words before reading
Your Korean story
Read along with the narration, and tap any highlighted word for its meaning
오후에 지수는 익선동 골목의 나와요.
In the afternoon, Jisoo leaves a stationery shop in an Ikseon-dong alley.
갑자기 비가 내려서 크게 두드려요.
Rain suddenly pours down, drumming loudly on the tiled roofs.
지수는 종이 봉투는 있지만 우산이 없어요.
Jisoo has a paper bag, but she does not have an umbrella.
그때 같은 건물에 사는 민호가 노란 우산을 들고 와요.
Just then, Minho from her building arrives with a yellow umbrella.
민호는 “우산은 작지만 같이 갈까요?”라고 물어요.
Minho asks, “The umbrella is small, but shall we walk together?”
지수는 봉투를 “네, 제가 우산을 들어 줄게요”라고 해요.
Holding the bag to her chest, Jisoo says, “Yes, I’ll hold the umbrella.”
두 사람은 천천히 걸어서 집에 도착해요.
They walk slowly along the wet stone lane and make it home.
Vocabulary recap
Reading Comprehension Exercise
A1 Korean Reading Comprehension Exercises
1. What is Jisoo trying to protect from the rain?
Correct: A paper bag
She has a 종이 봉투 and later holds it against her chest under the umbrella.
2. How does Jisoo return Minho’s help?
Correct: She holds the umbrella
Minho offers to share; Jisoo answers with 제가 우산을 들어 줄게요, offering to hold it.
Nailed the quiz? Start your own story in MeloLingua →
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Mini-lesson complete
You understood 2 of 2 questions.
That is 51 real Korean words read in context.
- ✓ 51 words read
- 7 new expressions
- 1 grammar pattern
- A1 level unlocked
- ○ Narration ready
- 0 shadowing reps
Ready for tomorrow’s story?Hear it, shadow the narrator, and lock these words into memory in MeloLingua.
Start learning with storiesOne story. The whole practice loop.
Reading this story for free is just the first rep. The MeloLingua app turns the same story into a full practice loop — understand every word, speak it back, build sentences, and keep stories coming that match what you actually care about.
| What you get | FreeThis story | Full loopMeloLingua app |
|---|---|---|
| Understand every sentence instantly | Bilingual reader, tap to translate | Interactive reader with word-by-word explanations |
| Know exactly why each word works | Basic translation in context | Translation, grammar, conjugation & usage examples |
| Train your ear with native audio | Studio narration — slow, normal, fast | Listen, follow along, and shadow the narrator |
| Speak like a native while reading | Read aloud on your own | Real-time pronunciation feedback |
| Turn what you read into what you can say | Not included | Build sentences from the story you just read |
| Never forget today's vocabulary | In-story glossary + comprehension quiz | Flashcards & spaced review from story lines |
| Read stories about your real life | Not included | Stories matched to your level and interests |
| Feel yourself improve every day | Not included | Streaks, goals, and your full learning history |
| Result | Enjoy a great story | Actually speak with confidence |
Understand every sentence instantly
Know exactly why each word works
Train your ear with native audio
Speak like a native while reading
Turn what you read into what you can say
Never forget today's vocabulary
Read stories about your real life
Feel yourself improve every day
Result
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An astronaut enters the first intergalactic grappling tournament.
Read it. Listen to it. Speak it back. The more it sounds likeyour world, the easier it is to keep going.
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