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 6-8
The Woodcutter and the Heavenly Maiden: A Love Between Two Worlds
The Woodcutter and the Heavenly Maiden: A Love Between Two Worlds: The Woodcutter and the Heavenly Maiden: When Love Transcends the Stars High in the mountains
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
Whom The King Honours
Whom The King Honours: Kings and rulers throughout history have understood that true power rests not merely on laws and force, but on the hearts and loyalty of
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Yun Se-Pyong, The Wizard
Yun Se-Pyong, The Wizard: [Yun Se-pyong was a man of Seoul who lived to the age of over ninety. When he was young he loved archery, and went as military
Korean Folk Tales
All Ages
Topknots And Crockery Hats
Topknots And Crockery Hats: Long, long ago in China, even centuries before the great Confucius was born, there lived a wise and learned man named Kija. The
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Tokgabi And His Pranks
Tokgabi And His Pranks: Tokgabi is the most mischievous sprite in all Korean fairy-land. He does not like the sunshine or outdoors, and no one ever saw him on
Korean Folk Tales
All Ages
Tokgabi’S Menagerie
Tokgabi’S Menagerie: There are many dogs, but few cats, in Korea. Nobody loves poor pussy there. They are not made pets and are rarely seen in the houses of
Korean Folk Tales
All Ages
The Woodman And The Mountain Fairies
The Woodman And The Mountain Fairies: Over a half thousand years ago there lived in a northern village, near Ping Yang, a wood-cutter named Keel Wee. He owned
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
The Wild-Cat Woman
The Wild-Cat Woman: [Kim Su-ik was a native of Seoul who matriculated in 1624 and graduated in 1630. In 1636, when the King made his escape to Nam-han from the
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
The Visit Of The Man Of God
The Visit Of The Man Of God: In the thirty-third year of Mal-yok of the Mings (A.D. 1605), being the year Eulsa of the reign of Son-jo, in the seventh moon, a
Korean Folk Tales
All Ages
The Voice Of The Bell
The Voice Of The Bell: When Tai Jo, the great general and first King of Korea, founded a new dynasty, he moved the capital near the great river Han and
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Vision Of The Holy Man
The Vision Of The Holy Man: Yi Chi-Ham (Master To-jong). A story is told of him that on the day after his wedding he went out with his topo or ceremonial coat
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Temple To The God Of War
The Temple To The God Of War: When he was a child a blind fortune-teller came and cast his future, saying, “This boy will be very great indeed.” At seven years