{"id":42771,"date":"2026-10-22T11:38:34","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T11:38:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thepanelstation.com\/blog\/?p=42771"},"modified":"2026-10-22T13:53:59","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T13:53:59","slug":"how-to-learn-korean-and-japanese-language","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thepanelstation.com\/blog\/how-to-learn-korean-and-japanese-language\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Learn Korean and Japanese Easily: For Culture and Work"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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The easiest way to start either language is the same: learn the writing system first, then study a little every day, using the dramas, anime and music you already enjoy. Korean’s alphabet, Hangul, can be learned in days. Japanese takes longer to read because it uses three scripts, but its sounds are close to Indonesian.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

This guide explains how to learn Korean and how to learn Japanese step by step, how long each realistically takes, and how to learn through entertainment. It also covers what you need if you’re learning for work, including EPS-TOPIK and the requirements to work in Japan.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Korean or Japanese: which is easier to start?<\/strong>\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Neither is “easy”, but each is easier in <\/span>different ways<\/span> for Indonesian speakers.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Korean\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Japanese\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Writing system<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

One alphabet, Hangul: 14 basic consonants and 10 basic vowels<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Three scripts: hiragana, katakana and kanji (Chinese characters)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Time to read simple words<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Days<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Weeks for hiragana and katakana; years for kanji<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Sounds for Indonesian speakers<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

More vowels and consonant contrasts that Indonesian doesn’t have, such as \u3131, \u314b and \u3132<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Five vowels, a, i, u, e, o, close to Indonesian; fewer difficult sounds<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Word order<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Subject, object, verb: “I rice eat”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

The same: subject, object, verb<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Politeness<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Speech levels change verb endings<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Polite and casual forms, plus honorific language<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Common tests<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

TOPIK; EPS-TOPIK for work<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

JLPT; JFT-Basic for some work routes<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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In short, Korean is quicker to start reading, and Japanese is usually easier to pronounce. Indonesian speakers already know formal and informal registers (<\/span>Anda<\/span><\/i> and <\/span>kamu<\/span><\/i>), which helps with politeness in both languages.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

If you’re choosing one:<\/span><\/b> start with the language whose shows, music or job opportunities you care about most. Motivation matters more than which is technically easier. If you want both, get to a basic level in one before starting the other, so you don’t mix up similar grammar.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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How to learn Korean: step by step<\/strong><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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1. Learn Hangul in your first week <\/strong><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Hangul letters combine into syllable blocks. For example:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>