How to watch Korean TV online abroad

Due to licensing agreements, Korean TV channels and streaming services like KBS World, OnDemandKorea, and Kakao TV aren’t available in other countries. This kind of geographic restriction is common, but it can be frustrating if you want to watch your favorite Korean movies and TV shows while abroad. Luckily, there is a way to bypass such restrictions and watch your favorite Korean content from anywhere. You just need a VPN with South Korean servers.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) reroute your internet traffic through an encrypted server in the location of your choice. For example, when you connect to a server in South Korea, you’ll be given a Korean IP address. This makes it appear as though you’re browsing from South Korea, side-stepping regional restrictions and allowing you access to your home channels from abroad. It also protects your online activities from possible snoopers and hackers.

We explain how to use a VPN to access Korean TV and movies from anywhere and list the best VPNs for the job, focusing on those with reliable unblocking abilities, robust security features, and unparalleled streaming speeds. We go into more detail later on, but in case you are short on time, we’ll start with a summary.

Best VPNs for watching Korean TV shows abroad:

1. NordVPN Our #1 choice for Korean streaming platforms. Boasts reliable servers and superfast speeds, plus the ability to access Netflix Korea. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for streaming.
2. Surfshark: Budget-friendly VPN with advanced security features. Works with plenty of Korean channels and can secure all of your devices with a single subscription.
3. IPVanish: A quality service with robust security and a strict no-log policy that’s great for streaming content abroad. Strong option for any international traveler.
4. ExpressVPN: Speedy Korean servers, powerful security features, and a stress-free streaming experience. 24/7 knowledgeable customer service available.
5. CyberGhost: Strong security features and plenty of fast servers in South Korea. Excellent option for anyone looking to watch Korean drama abroad.
6. PrivateVPN: Stream geo-blocked South Korean content anywhere with this speedy, zero-logs provider. A single subscription can protect up to 10 devices at a time.
7. Private Internet Access: Reliable privacy-first provider with decent speeds, intuitive apps, no connection limit, a no-logs policy, and servers for gaining an IP address in South Korea.

How to watch Korean TV from outside Korea with a VPN

It’s remarkably simple to stream Korean TV channels abroad. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be watching SBS Korea, Naver TV, Viki, or your favorite Korean drama in no time.

Here’s how to watch Korean TV shows online from anywhere:

1. First, choose a reputable VPN (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download and install the app on any device you’d like to stream on.
3. When you’re ready, connect to a server location in South Korea. This will provide you with a South Korean IP address, which is what Korean TV channels require to give you access. In our experience, servers in capital cities tend to be the most reliable, so Seoul is a good place to start if there are multiple options.
4. Lastly, visit a Korean streaming platform and play something. You should find that videos now load without any issues.
5. If you still see an error message or find streaming impossible, clear your cache and reload the page. Failing this, we’ve always found that the best way to get help is to contact your VPN’s support team using its chat feature.

How we found the top VPNs for Korean TV

Your main goal might be to watch Korean TV channels, but a good VPN has to be able to hide your real identity, shield your internet activities from snoopers, and protect against cyber attacks. For that reason, our top VPNs for South Korean content had to meet the following criteria:

• Has at least one South Korean server location, preferably more
• Provides reliable access to Korean TV streaming platforms like Netflix Korea
• Maintains an average speed that’s fast enough for HD streaming
• Uses advanced security features to keep your activities private
• Follows a strict no-logs policy
• Can be installed on PC, mobile phone, and ideally, even games consoles (via router installation)

This is just an overview of our process, but if you want to know more about how we judge the VPNs we recommend, you can check out our methodology section below.

The best VPNs for Korean TV: at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Korean TV.

Best VPNs for watching Korean TV online

At Comparitech, we never recommend a VPN we haven’t used and thoroughly tested ourselves. The following reviews are based on our first-hand experiences.

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for watching Korean TV channels from anywhere:

1. NordVPN

Nov 2024

NordVPN is our first choice for Korean TV. It offers access to over 5,500 servers in 60+ countries, including South Korea, making it a strong choice for high-bandwidth activities like live streaming international content, playing online games, and torrenting. Better still, with an average connection speed of almost 200 Mbps, this is one of the fastest VPNs on the market.

This provider boasts a suite of excellent security features, including 256-bit encryption, an automatic kill switch, and protection against IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks. NordVPN has a strict no-log policy and recently introduced a MeshNet feature that can help you securely connect to your devices in other locations. Customer support is available 24/7 via email and live chat.

NordVPN supports all major operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Android, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, iOS, and Linux. It can be manually installed on routers so that you can even secure devices such as Smart TVs or gaming consoles.

NordVPN speed test data

BEST VPN FOR KOREAN TV:NordVPN is our first choice. Great for Netflix Korea, Kakao TV, Viki, and more. Provides fast servers in South Korea, strong security, fast speeds, and a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our complete review of NordVPN.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark has 3,200+ servers in 100 countries, South Korea included. There’s no limit on the number of simultaneous connections you can have, and with an average speed of almost 200 Mbps, few VPNs can claim to be faster. Best of all, Surfshark offers reliable access to some of South Korea’s most popular services, like OnDemand Korea and KBS World.

This service uses 256-bit encryption to keep you safe online. Other key features include IPv6 and DNS leak protection, a kill switch, automatic ad-blocking, and a NoBorders mode that lets you bypass especially strict country-wide internet blocking. Surfshark has a strict no-logs policy and has been independently audited to prove it. Users can contact support at any time using the live chat feature on Surfshark’s website.

Surfshark has apps for most popular devices, from mobile phones to Android TV boxes and Amazon Fire TV. It can even be manually installed on routers.

Surfshark speed test data

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is a premium VPN with a low price. With strong security features and a 30-day money-back guarantee, it’s ideal for streaming Korean TV abroad.

Still not sure? We go into even more detail in our full Surfshark review.

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3. IPVanish

IPVanish has a network of more than 2,000 servers in 60+ countries (South Korea included). What’s more, it boasts an average download speed of over 270 Mbps, meaning it’s ideal for streaming content from live Korean channels abroad. Further, as this VPN has no connection limit, you’ll be able to protect all of your devices simultaneously.

This lightweight VPN is packed with advanced security features, including 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. Additionally, it allows users to block all local connections or scramble their OpenVPN traffic, which is useful for bypassing particularly strict VPN blocking. IPVanish doesn’t log any details of your activities, so your privacy is in good hands. Need help? Live chat-based support is available 24/7, just in case you need it.

IPVanish offers apps for Android, iOS, Android TV, MacOS, and Windows. Additionally, it can be manually configured for use with Linux systems or supported wireless routers.

IPVanish speed test data

GREAT FOR PRIVACY:IPVanish is a speedy provider with a strict zero-logs policy. As such, you’ll be able to watch OnDemand Korea, KBS World, and more without worrying about who might be monitoring your activities. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee on one-year plans.

Take a look at the in-depth IPVanish review.

4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is great for watching Korean channels abroad. It has servers in South Korea and 100+ other countries, and it’s fast enough for a flawless streaming experience. This VPN has no issues with most Korean TV platforms, and as if that wasn’t enough, it offers unlimited bandwidth and allows up to five simultaneous connections at once (eight with longer subscriptions).

This service has all of the security and privacy features you’d expect from a premium VPN. For instance, it includes an automatic kill switch, 256-bit AES encryption, and protection against IPv6 and DNS leaks. ExpressVPN follows a true no-logs policy and provides its own Lightway protocol capable of maximizing download speed over long distances. If you run into any issues, 24/7 support is on hand over live chat and email.

ExpressVPN has apps for Android, Android TV, iOS, MacOS, Windows, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV. Further, it offers custom firmware that allows users to more easily install the service on supported routers. This is particularly helpful if you’d like to protect devices that don’t have full VPN support, such as game consoles.

ExpressVPN speed test data

WATCH TV ANYWHERE:ExpressVPN is great for shielding your online activity and watching Korean drama abroad. 24/7 customer service. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

If you still have questions, why not check out our full ExpressVPN review?

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5. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is the only provider in this list with a specially configured server for watching Netflix Korea. Of course, it also works with other Korean movie and TV streaming services like KBS World, Viki, and OnDemand Korea, plus a wide range of international content. Further, CyberGhost provides superfast speeds and servers designed for online games, torrenting, streaming TV and movies, and concealing your online activity as much as possible.

First things first: this VPN follows a strict no-log policy and has been audited to prove it. There are loads of powerful features built-in, too, like uncrackable encryption, leak protection, a kill switch, and the ability to connect via a random port. CyberGhost even lets you create smart rules capable of (for instance) connecting to a server in South Korea whenever you use public Wi-Fi hotspots. Live chat is available 24/7.

CyberGhost supports a wide range of desktop and mobile devices, including most iOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, Linux, and Android TV systems. You can also manually install it on your router to protect older Smart TVs and gaming consoles.

CyberGhost speed test data

GREAT FOR BEGINNERS:CyberGhost has apps for all popular devices and makes it easy to access Korean streaming platforms while traveling. Has a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our full CyberGhost VPN review.

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6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN has a fairly small network, but it does cover South Korea and 60+ other countries. Not only that, but it offers unlimited bandwidth and works with a good number of Korean streaming platforms (though not Korean Netflix, unfortunately). Its average connection speed is impressive, and users are permitted up to 10 simultaneous connections, which is twice the industry average.

This VPN has strong security features, too. Its 256-bit AES encryption, customizable kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks ensure that snoopers can’t see your activities, and for even greater privacy, you can turn on stealth mode. PrivateVPN follows a strict no-logging policy, meaning it can’t reveal details of your activities under any circumstances. Support is available via email or live chat, 22 hours per day.

PrivateVPN has Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS apps. If you’d prefer to protect every device on your network, you can manually install this VPN on select routers and some Linux distros.

PrivateVPN speed test data

TOP-TIER SPEEDS:PrivateVPN is security-conscious and works with a huge range of popular streaming services. It even offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our comprehensive PrivateVPN review.

7. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access has a vast server network with over 90 locations, including South Korea. It offers an unlimited device limit, making it ideal for sharing with family and friends. PIA has streaming sorted, too, it can access Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, KBS, and more, so you can catch your favorite content no matter where you are in the world.

This provider has a proven no-logs policy and high levels of privacy and security. It comes with DNS leak protection and a kill switch to keep you safe if your connection drops unexpectedly. It also employs 256-bit encryption and includes an ad blocker and multi-hop servers for an extra layer of security.

Private Internet Access offers apps for all popular platforms, such as Windows, iOS, Android, and macOS, as well as detailed manual setup instructions for Linux, routers, and more.

Private Internet Access speed test data

FAST AND SECURE:PIA offers Wireguard support customizable security features, no connection limit and excellent speeds for streaming. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Private Internet Access review.

Methodology: How we chose the best VPNs for Korean TV

Not every Virtual Private Network is good for watching Korean channels abroad. Some prioritize security more than streaming, for instance, and won’t work with a particular service outside South Korea. Here’s a quick guide to what we expect from the best VPNs for Korean TV:

• Server choice: To access services like Ondemand Korea abroad, your VPN needs at least one Korean server location. We’d prefer multiple servers spread across multiple cities, so you never have to rely on one that’s too far away.
• Speed: Live streaming isn’t the most data-intensive task, but you’ll still need a decent connection speed. Our team has hands-on experience with each of the VPNs above and regularly speed-tests them to make sure they’re fast enough for your needs.
• Streaming ability: It’s not enough to have a South Korean IP address, you also have to be able to access a wide range of popular streaming services securely. We test VPNs with popular platforms like Korean Netflix, Naver TV, and Disney+ to make sure you always have something to watch.
• Security: To help shield your online activities, we only recommend VPNs that have 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a no-logs policy. Additional security features are always appreciated, though.
• User-friendliness: We prioritize services with beginner-friendly apps, free customer support, and apps for a wide range of platforms. Further, we keep an eye out for any other ease-of-use features like unlimited connections or streaming-optimized servers.
• Price: In a bid to get you a premium VPN without breaking the bank, we hunt down any deals, discounts, or free trials that are available. We’ll also mention any money-back guarantees and often go through the refund process ourselves to see if it’s really as easy as it seems.

Want to know more? Check out our full VPN testing methodology post for more details.

Using a free VPN to watch Koren TV

Free VPNs can be tempting, but we strongly advise against using one to stream Korean TV channels from abroad. For a start, most free services won’t offer a Korean server location, and any that do are likely to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of users this attracts. Assuming you can get connected, you’ll likely experience extremely slow speeds, which leads to choppy playback and makes live streaming all but impossible. 

You should note that these services can pose a real threat to your security, too. In fact, research indicates that many free VPNs aren’t as privacy-conscious as they claim. Some even go so far as to inject tracking cookies and malware into your system or collect your data to be sold to third parties. Of course, you could also end up installing one of the many Trojans designed to look like a free VPN, which comes with its own set of risks. 

The best way to keep your online activities secure is to use a reputable VPN with a no-logging policy and a record of standing up for its users’ privacy. If you’re worried about the cost, we recommend taking advantage of the money-back guarantees of the above VPNs or opting for a quality VPN with a free trial. That way, you can be sure you’re completely happy with the service before you commit long-term.

Watching Korean TV abroad: FAQs