This paper investigates the status and change of qualitative research in TEFL and applied linguistics in an effort to project the direction of TEFL research in Korea. This paper first reviews a first and a second coming of age of the research in TESOL and applied linguistics, focusing on qualitative research methodology. For the study, the issues on a definition of qualitative research are raised, and three exemplars such as case study, conversation analysis, and ethnography are discussed in terms of assumptions, methods, data analysis and interpretation, and evaluative criteria. The importance and directions of qualitative research studies in TEFL in Korea are also suggested.