Hangeul Bridge
A Korean & English learning app that explains everything in Khmer, Chinese, and English, built for learners most apps ignore.
- Role
- UX research, UI design, Full-stack development
- Timeline
- 2026
- Platform
- Web app · Installable PWA
- Stack
- Next.js, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, Text-to-speech
The problem
Most Korean-learning apps explain everything in English. For a Khmer or Chinese speaker, that means learning Korean through a second foreign language. I saw this first-hand after four years of teaching languages, and while working at a Korean organization where many colleagues are learning Korean.
Key decisions
Explanations in three languages
Every explanation is available in English, Khmer, and Chinese. The learner picks the language they think in, and Korean stays the focus.
Learn first, sign in later
All content is open without an account. Sign-in only appears when it adds value: saving progress.
Tap to hear, mobile first
Any Korean or English text can be tapped to hear it. The app is built for short sessions on a phone and installs to the home screen.
Try it yourself · 2 minutes
- 1Open Learn → Korean → Hangul and switch the explanation language to Khmer or Chinese.
- 2Tap any Korean word to hear its pronunciation.
- 3Try Flashcards, then a quick Quiz.
3
explanation languages: English, Khmer, Chinese
7
levels from Hangul to TOPIK II & Advanced English
Live
and free at hangul.houyhyong.space
What I learned
- Teaching is user research. Years of watching learners struggle gave me insights no survey could.
- Owning design and code removes handoff loss. The shipped app matches the design.