Talk To Me In Korean

What Talk To Me In Korean does

Talk To Me In Korean (TTMIK), operating through the South Korean corporation G9 Co., Ltd. (주식회사 지나인) headquartered in Mapo-gu, Seoul, is an e-learning platform that teaches Korean as a foreign language. Founded in 2009 by Sun Hyun-woo, the company has built a 16-year content catalog spanning beginner to advanced proficiency (Levels 1-10), including over 1,700 structured video and audio lessons organized around a proprietary four-step methodology (Warm Up, Lesson, Speaking Practice, Review Quiz), 48 published books with 1M+ copies sold, and a graded reading platform (TTMIK Stories). Its product surface extends across a Kajabi-hosted course website (courses.talktomeinkorean.com), dedicated iOS and Android mobile apps, a separate speaking-focused app (Seyo), a book store, blog, podcast, and a YouTube channel with 2.1M+ subscribers.

The business operates a product-led, self-serve growth model targeted at individual language learners worldwide (with named learner bases in South Korea, the United States, Canada, Spain, and Malaysia). Primary monetization is a recurring course subscription priced at $7.12/month (annual, no trial) to $16.99/month (monthly, with a 7-day free trial), supplemented by one-time book and eBook sales, separate Bootcamp Program fees for structured intensive cohorts, and free content channels (YouTube, blog, podcast, Seoul meetups) that act as top-of-funnel acquisition. Commerce infrastructure is outsourced to Paddle (Merchant of Record), PayPal, and Paymentwall, with Freshdesk handling customer support and a network of logistics providers (Hanjin, CJ Logistics, Korea Post, DHL, UPS, USPS) shipping physical books globally.

TTMIK is a privately held, founder-led company with no disclosed institutional investors or funding rounds; the team is small (11-50 employees). Its competitive position rests on deep Korean-language specialization, an accumulated proprietary content library, and brand recognition built over 16 years of operation. In 2025, the company undertook a platform migration to Kajabi and launched native mobile apps, signaling continued reinvestment in distribution and product infrastructure rather than capital-raising scale plays.

Name

Talk To Me In Korean

Legal name

G9 Co., Ltd.

Website

https://talktomeinkorean.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Talk To Me In Korean is a Seoul-based e-learning platform that offers online Korean language courses, mobile apps, and textbooks to individual learners worldwide. It monetizes via subscriptions, book sales, and bootcamp add-ons, anchored by 1,700+ structured lessons built over 16 years.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Language Learning

NAICS

Language Schools (61163), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Translation, Language Accessibility & Reading Support Tools (e.g., TTS, Captions, Immersive Reader) (EDAFAOAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Text-to-Speech (TTS) & Voice Synthesis (HDAAAFAB)

Keywords

• Korean language learning
• Online language courses
• Language education platform
• Korean language textbooks
• Language learning apps

Headquarters

HQ city

Seoul

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Course Subscription: Monthly and annual subscription plans providing full access to 1,700+ video and audio lessons on web and mobile platforms. The subscription includes structured courses, quizzes, and community access.
2. Books and eBooks: Sale of paper books and digital editions including grammar textbooks (Levels 1-10), workbooks, vocabulary books, and specialized titles. Audio tracks are available for streaming and download for all book titles.
3. Bootcamp Programs: Pre-scheduled intensive study programs with structured assignments and deadlines. These are add-on purchases separate from the regular subscription, targeted at learners wanting more accountability.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

TTMIK provides a structured online Korean language learning experience through a subscription-based course platform covering 1,700+ lessons across beginner to advanced levels. The offering is complemented by a published library of 48 Korean language textbooks, two specialized mobile applications (TTMIK Stories for graded reading and Seyo for speaking practice), and bootcamp programs for intensive learners.

Product overview

Talk To Me In Korean (TTMIK) is a comprehensive Korean language learning platform built around a multi-product ecosystem. The core offering is the TTMIK Courses platform (accessible via website and mobile app) with 1,700+ structured lessons organized into Core Grammar courses, Speak & Write courses, Hangeul instruction, and specialized courses spanning Levels 1-10 from beginner to advanced. This is complemented by TTMIK Books (physical textbooks and workbooks), TTMIK Stories (graded reading app), Seyo (speaking-focused app), and the TTMIK Podcast and Blog for cultural content. The platform also offers Bootcamp Programs for structured intensive learning and a Community feature for peer interaction. Additional offerings include Book Audio Tracks for all publications and a Level Test tool for placement assessment. The subscription-based model provides access to all online content, while books are sold separately.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TTMIK Courses: The primary online learning platform offering 1,700+ structured Korean language lessons, including Core Grammar, Speak & Write, and specialized courses from beginner to advanced levels.
• TTMIK Stories
• Seyo
• TTMIK Book Audio

Products and services

• TTMIK Course Subscription A subscription-based online Korean language learning platform offering 1,700+ structured lessons with audio, video, and text components accessible via web and mobile, targeted at self-directed individual learners from beginner to advanced levels.
• TTMIK Books A catalog of 48 Korean language textbooks and workbooks available as physical books (sold through the online store and Korean offline retailers including Kyobo and Youngpoong) and as digital ebooks, designed to complement the online course curriculum.
• TTMIK Bootcamp Programs Intensive, separately purchased Korean language study programs for learners seeking accelerated, focused progress beyond the standard subscription curriculum.
• TTMIK Stories (Graded Reading App) A standalone graded reading mobile application that provides leveled Korean stories, audio narration, and comprehension tools to help learners build reading and listening proficiency at their level.
• Seyo - Learn & Speak Korean A standalone mobile application focused on Korean speaking practice, designed as a complement to TTMIK's reading and listening tools.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2M+ learners have studied with TTMIK
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration14 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PaddlecoreTechnology or IntegrationPaddle.com Inc. serves as the authorized reseller and Merchant of Record for TTMIK's subscription services. Paddle handles order processing, tax calculation, invoicing, and payment-related customer support. Payment statements may list Paddle as the merchant.
• KajabicoreTechnology or IntegrationTTMIK's new website (courses.talktomeinkorean.com) is built on Kajabi's platform, providing the infrastructure for course delivery, subscription management, and mobile app functionality.
• PayPalcoreTechnology or IntegrationPayPal is the primary payment processor for TTMIK subscriptions. Users can complete checkout through PayPal, and subscription cancellations are processed through PayPal's system.
• Freshdesk (Freshworks Inc.)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFreshdesk is outsourced for customer consultation services, handling customer complaints and inquiries through TTMIK's support system.
• Longtail BooksminorOthersOutsourced for storage and shipping of ordered paper books, delivery, sending invoices, and delivery tracking.
• Hanjin Transportation, Korea Post, CJ Logistics, DHL, UPS, USPS, and other logistics providersminorOthersVarious shipping partners used for international and domestic delivery of paper book orders.
• Google (for advertising)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerGoogle is used for online personalized advertising and behavioral information collection. Google collects user browsing history and purchase history when users visit the TTMIK website or use the app.
• Meta (for advertising)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMeta (Facebook/Instagram) is used for online personalized advertising and behavioral information collection. Meta collects user browsing history and purchase history when users visit the TTMIK website or use the app.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Memrise: Vocabulary-focused language learning platform with Korean content and a strong community of native speaker video contributors. Memrise overlaps with TTMIK in self-study learner targeting and authentic content emphasis.
• Duolingo: Global language learning leader with a freemium mobile app covering Korean among 30+ languages. Duolingo competes for the same end learner but with a gamified, ad-supported model and broader language portfolio, representing a fundamentally different GTM.
• Babbel: Premium subscription language learning platform with Korean courses. Babbel targets self-study adult learners with structured lesson content, similar to TTMIK's value proposition but across 14+ languages.
• Busuu: Subscription language learning platform with Korean courses and community features. Busuu combines structured lessons with community feedback, paralleling TTMIK's combination of courses and learner community.
• Rosetta Stone: Established language learning brand offering Korean courses through subscription. Rosetta Stone represents a traditional, brand-recognized competitor in the same language acquisition category as TTMIK.

Direct peers

• Pimsleur: Audio-based Korean language learning program emphasizing speaking practice and conversational proficiency. Pimsleur's focus on audio-driven learning parallels TTMIK's four-step lesson system's emphasis on Speaking Practice.
• LingoDeer: Mobile-first language learning app specializing in Asian languages (Korean, Japanese, Chinese). LingoDeer is the closest direct competitor to TTMIK for the Korean language learner segment, with similar structured grammar lessons and a subscription model.

Emerging players

• italki: Online marketplace connecting language learners with human tutors, including many Korean teachers. italki represents the tutoring alternative to TTMIK's self-study model for learners seeking live conversation practice.
• Drops: Visual, gamified vocabulary learning app with Korean among its languages. Drops targets casual learners with a different pedagogy but competes for the same entry-level Korean learner searching app stores.
• Go! Billy Korean (YouTube channel): Popular YouTube-based Korean learning channel by a native Korean speaker, competing for the same free top-of-funnel audience that TTMIK converts from YouTube. Represents direct competition for organic video-driven acquisition.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@TalkToMeInKorean
• Facebookfacebook.com/talktomeinkorean
• Xx.com/ttmik

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Talk To Me In Korean