Korean Folk Tales
Read our collection of 85 Korean folk tales — stories from the rich narrative tradition of the Korean Peninsula. Korean folklore blends Confucian values, Buddhist wisdom, and shamanistic beliefs into tales of extraordinary imagination and moral depth.
Our collection includes tales of filial sons and daughters, clever magistrates, grateful animals, vengeful ghosts, and the ever-present theme of karmic justice. Korean folk tales are known for their emphasis on loyalty, perseverance, and the triumph of virtue over corruption — values deeply embedded in Korean culture.
Each story is retold in clear, engaging English with beautiful ACK-style illustrations, making this collection perfect for exploring Korean culture, Asian folklore, and East Asian storytelling traditions.
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Grateful Tiger
The Grateful Tiger: In a land of dense forests and hidden valleys, there lived a man of humble station who spent his days hunting small game to feed his family.
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Princess Bari
Princess Bari: In a kingdom surrounded by mountains and blessed by deep rivers, there lived a King and Queen who longed desperately for children. After many
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Green Frog Son
The Green Frog Son: In the land of cascading waterfalls and misty mountains, there lived a widow with one peculiar son. The boy, named Jin, had been born under
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Story of Chunhyang
The Story of Chunhyang: In the province of Jeolla, during the reign of the Joseon Dynasty, there lived a nobleman’s son named Lee Mong-ryong. He was of noble
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
General Hong Gil-dong
General Hong Gil-dong: In the realm of Joseon Korea, during a time when the hierarchical order of society seemed immutable and written into the very fabric of
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Rabbit’s Liver
The Rabbit's Liver: In ancient times, when the boundaries between the human world and the spirit world were more permeable, the Dragon King of the Sea ruled
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Fairy and the Woodcutter
The Fairy and the Woodcutter: In a valley surrounded by mountains that touched the clouds, there lived a woodcutter named Jin-soo who worked tirelessly to
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Goblin’s Magic Bat (Dokkaebi)
The Goblin's Magic Bat (Dokkaebi): In the mountains of Korea, where mist clung to the peaks like ancient dreams and the forest held secrets older than memory
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
The Sun and the Moon: A Mother’s Love Reaches Heaven Itself
The Sun and the Moon: A Mother's Love Reaches Heaven Itself: The Sun and the Moon: How a Mother’s Devotion Changed the Sky Forever In ancient times, when the
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
The Tiger and the Dried Persimmon: Courage Found in Unexpected Places
The Tiger and the Dried Persimmon: Courage Found in Unexpected Places - a folk tale retold for young readers with a clear moral, simple words, and the...
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
Heungbu and Nolbu: Virtue Rewarded and Greed Punished
Heungbu and Nolbu: Virtue Rewarded and Greed Punished: Heungbu and Nolbu: The Tale of Two Brothers and the Seeds of Fortune In a village where mountains met
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
The Tale of Shim Cheong: Filial Devotion and the Dragon King’s Blessing
The Tale of Shim Cheong: Filial Devotion and the Dragon King's Bless: The Tale of Shim Cheong: A Korean Folk Story of Love and Sacrifice In the depths of