Learning guides
What to know before you start learning Korean or Japanese online — costs, how to begin, and how Haru works.
Learning Korean
From Hangul to TOPIK and conversation
How to learn Korean online: a beginner's guide
How to study Korean online and actually make progress — why it works, choosing a tutor over an app, setting a real goal, building a weekly routine, and getting the most from your first lesson.
How much do Korean lessons cost?
What Korean lessons actually cost and why — the factors that move the price, group vs 1:1, typical ranges, how to get real value for your budget, and where free and paid options fit.
Where to start learning Korean as a beginner
A first-steps guide for absolute Korean beginners — why Hangul comes first, the essential opening phrases, common beginner mistakes, how a tutor speeds you up, and a realistic timeline.
How to prepare for the TOPIK exam: study plan and tutoring
How to prepare for TOPIK, the standard Korean proficiency test — exam structure and levels, self-study vs. a TOPIK tutor, and a 4-week plan before test day.
How to practice Korean conversation and speak more fluently
Why Korean conversation skills stall, solo methods like shadowing, why a real conversation partner matters, and how to make the most of 1:1 video lessons.
Learning Korean with K-pop: from lyrics to real conversation
How to learn Korean with K-pop — why lyrics work as study material, a step-by-step method, phrases you can use as a fan right away, and how to level up with dramas.
How long does it take to learn Korean?
How long it really takes to learn Korean: honest timelines for conversational basics and fluency, milestones by phase, and what actually speeds up progress.
How to learn Hangul: read Korean in a weekend
Learn Hangul, the Korean alphabet, in a weekend: why it was designed to be easy, a step-by-step method, practice ideas, and the beginner mistakes to avoid.
Essential Korean phrases for beginners
Essential Korean phrases for beginners: greetings, survival phrases, and expressions for fans and travelers, with romanization and plain-English meanings.
Learning Japanese
Kana, self-study, and JLPT prep
How to learn Japanese online: from hiragana to conversation
A practical guide to learning Japanese online: the path from hiragana and katakana to conversation, why speaking practice matters, and how a Japanese tutor fits in.
How much do Japanese lessons cost? A guide to tutor prices
What drives Japanese lesson cost, how academy, in-person, and online tutor prices compare, and how short lessons help you spend less while learning more.
How to self-study Japanese: a realistic roadmap
A realistic Japanese self-study roadmap: what to learn in what order, how to choose materials, why plateaus happen, and when adding a tutor helps.
How to memorize hiragana and katakana in a week
Memorize hiragana and katakana in a week: a five-day row-by-row plan, mnemonic tips, why katakana feels harder, and daily habits that keep the kana from fading.
JLPT study guide: from N5 to N1
A JLPT study guide from N5 to N1: how to pick your level, study each test section, and close the speaking gap the exam doesn't measure.
Getting started
How to pick a tutor and how Haru works
How Haru works: from finding a tutor to lessons and payouts
A step-by-step guide to finding a verified Korean or Japanese tutor on Haru, booking and paying, and taking your lesson over video.
How to choose the right online tutor for you
A practical guide to choosing an online tutor: set your goal first, what to check on a profile, what to test in the first lesson, and when to switch tutors.
Find tutors by subject
Once the guides have you oriented, start with a verified tutor.