This article explores the differences between Japanese and Korean, their similarities, and how a Japanese person may be able to understand Korean. It discusses the influence of Chinese characters on both languages, factors that can impact comprehension such as familiarity with Chinese characters, exposure to either language group's culture/media/language, and proficiency in one's native language. It also provides learning resources for a Japanese person to learn Korean. Overall it is possible for a native speaker of either language group to at least partially understand what is being said if they had some prior knowledge about the other language group’s culture/media/language etc.