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
All Ages
The Home Of The Fairies
The Home Of The Fairies: In the days of King In-jo (1623-1649) there was a student of Confucius who lived in Ka-pyong. He was still a young man and unmarried.
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Honest Witch
The Honest Witch: [Song Sang-in matriculated in 1601. He was a just man, and feared by the dishonest element of the Court. In 1605 he graduated and became a
Korean Folk Tales
All Ages
The Great Stone Fire Eater
The Great Stone Fire Eater: Ages ago, there lived a great Fire Spirit inside of a mountain to the southwest of Seoul, the capital of Korea. He was always
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Geomancer
The Geomancer: [Yi Eui-sin was a specialist in Geomancy. His craft came into being evidently as a by-product of Taoism, but has had mixed in it elements of
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
The Grateful Ghost
The Grateful Ghost: It is often told that in the days of the Koryo Dynasty (A.D. 918-1392), when an examination was to be held, a certain scholar came from a
Korean Folk Tales
All Ages
The Fortunes Of Yoo
The Fortunes Of Yoo: There was a man of Yong-nam, named Yoo, who lived in the days of Se-jong. He had studied the classics, had passed his examinations, and
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
The Brave Magistrate
A brave magistrate catches a thief who steals from homes. By showing courage and compassion, he discovers the thief's sad story.
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
The Fearless Captain
The Fearless Captain: There was formerly a soldier, Yee Man-ji of Yong-nam, a strong and muscular fellow, and brave as a lion. He had green eyes and a terrible
Korean Folk Tales
All Ages
The Boxed-Up Governor
The Boxed-Up Governor: A certain literary official was at one time Governor of the city of Kyong-ju. Whenever he visited the Mayor of the place, it was his
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Ten Thousand Devils
Ten Thousand Devils: [Han Chun-kyom was the son of a provincial secretary. He matriculated in the year 1579 and graduated in 1586. He received the last wishes
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
The Awful Little Goblin
The Awful Little Goblin: There was an occasion for a celebration in the home of a nobleman of Seoul, whereupon a feast, to which were invited all the family
Korean Folk Tales
All Ages
Ta-Hong
Ta-Hong: [Sim Heui-su studied as a young man at the feet of No Su-sin, who was sent as an exile to a distant island in the sea. Thither he followed his master