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
- English translation
- 7 useful words
- 2 comprehension questions
Warm-up vocabulary
Preview 3 optional words before reading
Your Korean story
Tap highlighted words when you need help
오후에 지수는 익선동 골목의 나와요. 갑자기 비가 내려서 크게 두드려요. 지수는 종이 봉투는 있지만 우산이 없어요. 그때 같은 건물에 사는 민호가 노란 우산을 들고 와요. 민호는 “우산은 작지만 같이 갈까요?”라고 물어요. 지수는 봉투를 “네, 제가 우산을 들어 줄게요”라고 해요. 두 사람은 천천히 걸어서 집에 도착해요.
Show full English translation
In the afternoon, Jisoo leaves a stationery shop in an Ikseon-dong alley.
Rain suddenly pours down, drumming loudly on the tiled roofs.
Jisoo has a paper bag, but she does not have an umbrella.
Just then, Minho from her building arrives with a yellow umbrella.
Minho asks, “The umbrella is small, but shall we walk together?”
Holding the bag to her chest, Jisoo says, “Yes, I’ll hold the umbrella.”
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 →
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
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 | Not included | 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
Make stories aboutyour life
Most language apps hand everyone the same content. MeloLingua lets you create stories around the things you actually enjoy — so staying consistent stops feeling like homework.
- “I love space and cooking”Your story
A chef opens the first restaurant on Mars.
- “I like football and history”Your story
A young striker time-travels to play the legendary teams.
- “I enjoy surfing and travel”Your story
A surfer hunts secret waves across the world.
- “I like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and sci-fi”Your story
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.
Generate your first storyMake it yours
Your next Korean story can sound like your life
MeloLingua turns graded Korean stories into listening, vocabulary review, and speaking practice built from the same scene.
Keep reading on-site

가방 밑의 교통카드
Sua’s bus arrives in Gwanghwamun just as her transit card disappears beneath a notebook and a folded umbrella.
Read story →
마지막 창가 자리
At a noisy Hongdae café, Junho must change his order quickly if he wants the last seat by the rain-streaked window.
Read story →
망원시장에서 덜 맵게
Daniel wants to try tteokbokki at Mangwon Market, but one red spoonful sends him searching for a gentler second plate.
Read story →