How To Watch Korean TV Outside Korea (Updated 2024)

South Korea has many streaming platforms for local movies, TV shows, sports, and news. However, only users in the country have access to these platforms. Most streaming services have these geo-restrictions because of licensing agreements between them and owners of the content they put on their platforms.

However, the easiest way to bypass regional restrictions is by using a VPN. A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a tool that enhances your security online. One of the great things about VPNs is that they can unblock geo-restricted content.

This article will show you how to watch Korean TV shows, movies, and other programs from other countries, the best VPNs you can use, and other valuable tips.

How To Watch Korean TV Outside Korea

There are quite a number of ways to unblock Korean TV from other countries, including using proxy services. However, the best way we recommend is to use a VPN. A VPN helps you bypass geo-blocks while providing security and privacy features.

IP addresses are unique to every device. They hold some information about you, including where you’re located. So, when you visit any Korean TV platform, their servers read your IP address, and when it shows that you’re outside Korea, you are blocked.

However, a VPN operates secure servers in multiple locations, including Korea. So, when you connect to a server in Korea from another country, your actual IP address is switched with another one that shows you’re in Korea. It is that simple, and as a plus, you are sure that your security is improved.

You can follow this guide to get started:

1. Subscribe to a VPN Service: Choose a VPN provider that meets your requirements, sign up, and purchase a subscription plan. Shortly, we’ll look at our top recommendations to make it easier for you.

2. Download and Install the VPN App: Next, you have to download and install a VPN client app compatible with your device from the provider’s website or your device’s app store.

3. Connect to a Korean Server: After setting up the VPN app, the next thing is to connect to an available Korean server.

4. Visit Korean TV Platforms: Once you’re connected to a Korean server, you can now visit the Korean TV platform you want to stream abroad and watch all your favorite shows without any limitations.

Best VPNs for Accessing Korean TV Outside Korea

If you go on the internet searching for VPN providers that can unblock Korean TV abroad, you’ll discover so many options. Unfortunately, not every VPN can live up to its claims. However, here’s a list of the best VPN providers in the market:

Overall Best in Our Tests

ExpressVPN

Overall score: 9.8

• Super-fast servers
• AES 256-bit encryption
• Supports private protocol, Lightway
• Money-back guarantee

Try ExpressVPN

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

ExpressVPN has maintained its status as the best VPN service over the years by providing stellar service to users across the world. It offers the fastest internet speeds, unlimited bandwidth, and robust security on all its servers. In addition, ExpressVPN is your best option to access Korean TV platforms such as KBS, SBS, Netflix Korea, and JTV from other countries.

ExpressVPN’s headquarters is in the British Virgin Islands, and it operates over 3000 servers in 94 countries, including South Korea. As we mentioned, this is the fastest VPN out there, so you won’t experience lags or buffering when you are streaming Korean TV shows overseas.

This VPN is also very secure. It uses military-grade AES 256-bit encryption to protect your data traffic. It is also equipped with a kill switch that cuts off your internet if your VPN connection drops, TrustedServer technology, data leak protection, split tunneling features, and ExpressVPN even has its own protocol, called the Lightway.

Furthermore, ExpressVPN maintains a strict no-log policy which means your activities aren’t recorded while connected to their servers.

ExpressVPN works on all popular operating platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. With one active subscription, you can connect up to five devices at the same time. Unfortunately, there is no free version, but there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee for you to try the service risk-free.

Cheapest Option

NordVPN

Overall score: 9.6

• Incredibly fast servers
• Great security features
• Verified no-logs policy
• Unblocks streaming platforms

Try NordVPN

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

The second VPN that we highly recommend is NordVPN. No matter where you are in the world, you can use this VPN to spoof your IP address to watch Korean TV shows. In addition, this VPN can unblock Wavve, MBC, SBS, KBS, and others easily.

NordVPN has a broad server network of 5000+ servers spread across 60 countries. More than ten servers are located in South Korea. Additionally, NordVPN offers various types of servers called specialty servers.

The specialty servers include Obfuscated, Double VPN, Dedicated IP, and P2P servers.  These servers are essential for bypassing the restriction in Korea. Additionally, there are no speed and bandwidth limits.

While you enjoy free access to Korean TV platforms, there is also unbeatable security you can rely on. NordVPN is equipped with AES 256-bit encryption. It also has a kill switch, CyberSec, Onion Over VPN, split tunneling features, and data leak protection.

NordVPN is based in Panama and maintains a no-log policy. This means that the VPN doesn’t save sensitive information about your browsing activities. So, you have nothing to worry about in terms of privacy.

NordVPN has varying subscription plans. With one active plan, you can have six simultaneous connections. Additionally, you can get a complete refund if you end your subscription within the first 30 days of your subscription. This VPN is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS devices, and the apps are easy to use.

Best for connecting multiple devices

Surfshark

Overall score: 9.5

• Allows unlimited simultaneous connections
• Integrates Stealth mode
• Multihop feature available
• 3,000+ servers

Visit Surfshark

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Surfshark is one VPN that is perfect for streaming. It is a well-known name synonymous with high-speed connections and other unique features. Another reason it’s highly recommended is that it is a budget-friendly service. So, if you’re not looking to spend too much to watch Korean TV, this is a good option.

This VPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, and it operates more than 3000 servers in 60+ countries, including Korea. Additionally, It has the NoBorders mode, which allows you to bypass geo-restrictions and unblock Korean TV platforms like Netflix Korea, TVING, Kakao TV, and TV Chosun.

Surfshark boasts of lightning-fast streaming speed. It also offers unlimited bandwidth and data. So, you can stream all the Korean TV shows in HD without any interruptions such as buffering, lagging, or data throttling.

Surfshark is equipped with a top-tier AES 356-bit encryption protocol, and it also supports several other VPN protocols including OpenVPN, and IPSec/IKEv2. Other security features this VPN offers include the Camouflage mode, MultiHop, a kill switch, private DNS, and IP leak protection.

Surfshark maintains a strict no-log policy to ensure your privacy, which means you don’t need to worry about the VPN provider saving data about your activities or sharing such information with third parties. Surfshark is available on all the popular operating platforms, and with one account, there’s no limit to how many devices you can connect at once. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Offers the best money-back guarantee

CyberGhost

Overall score: 8.8

• 45-day money-back guarantee
• 7,000+ reliable servers
• Strict no-log policy
• Tough security features

Visit CyberGhost

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

CyberGhost has the most extensive server network among all the VPNs on our list. It operates more than 6000 servers in 91 countries, which includes twenty-four servers in South Korea. CyberGhost also offers outstanding VPN services, reliable speeds, and subscription plans that are affordable.

This VPN has fantastic unblocking capabilities and can easily bypass geo-restrictions on SBS, MBC, KBS, or Netflix Korea to grant you access to exclusive Korean content. CyberGhost is also fast enough for you to stream or download high-definition content without lags or buffering.

CyberGhost ensures that you remain safe while you watch Korean TV. It is equipped with AES 256-bit encryption, and it supports other VPN protocols, including WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN. CyberGhost also has other security features such as a kill switch, ad blocker, malware scanner, and protection from data leaks.

This provider is based in Romania, and it maintains a strict no-log policy. So, it protects your privacy while you access Korean TV from anywhere by not keeping records of your online activities.

CyberGhost is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android devices. This VPN allows you to have up to seven simultaneous connections. In addition, CyberGhost has various budget-friendly subscription plans and a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Best VPN with a Free Version

ProtonVPN

Overall score: 9.0

• Free version available
• Strong security features
• Reliable no-logs policy
• Allows Perfect Forward Secrecy

Visit ProtonVPN

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

The next VPN provider on our list is ProtonVPN. Although it comes towards the end of the list, it is still a reputable service with top-quality security and privacy features. The same company that owns this VPN is also responsible for the highly secure mailing service ProtonMail. In addition, ProtonVPN has unblocking abilities that can grant you access to Korean streaming platforms.

ProtonVPN headquarters is in Switzerland, and it operates more than 1200 servers in 55 countries. Four of these servers are located in South Korea. With these servers. You can easily bypass geo-blocks on Netflix Korea, JTV, TV Chosun, Wavve, and other Korean-only TV Platforms. You also get high-speed internet to stream and download without interruptions.

This is a reliable VPN in terms of security. ProtonVPN uses AES 256-bit encryption, and it supports IPSec/IKEv2 and OpenVPN protocols. It is also equipped with a kill switch, an ad blocker, and split tunneling features.

You can download ProtonVPN for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android devices. Furthermore, this VPN provider allows you to connect more than ten devices simultaneously.

Unlike other VPN providers, ProtonVPN has a free version, but it has minimal features which don’t include access to a server in Korea.  However, any plan you subscribe to comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Best for Android

PrivateVPN

Overall score: 9.3

• Advanced configuration settings
• Unblocks restricted platforms
• Compatible with most device types
• Supports the OpenVPN, L2TP and IPSec protocols

Visit PrivateVPN

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Lastly, we have PrivateVPN. This VPN provider is yet another that has placed a lot of attention on security and privacy. PrivateVPN’s headquarters is in Sweden, and the provider operates just over 200 servers in 63 countries. This doesn’t give it as much server coverage as the other services on our list. More importantly, however, some servers are located in Korea.

PrivateVPN servers don’t have speed or bandwidth limits. Therefore, it is perfect for streaming videos on Korean TV platforms without lagging, buffering, or timeouts. Additionally, the servers are perfect for bypassing the geo-restrictions that you may encounter when trying to watch Korean TV abroad.

PrivateVPN also provides reliable security features. It uses 2048-bit encryption with AES-256, and it supports other VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP, IKEv2, and IPSec. Furthermore, it has data leak protection, a kill switch, port forwarding, and split tunneling features.

This VPN provider maintains a serious no-log policy. Therefore, it doesn’t store logs of your internet activities while connected to their servers.

There are various VPN plans and a free plan in the form of a 7-day free trial. A single plan allows you to connect up to six devices, and they all get unique IP addresses. Furthermore, this VPN has a full 30-day money-back guarantee.

Things to Consider Before Using a VPN to Watch Korean TV Outside Korea

You must choose the best VPN service out there because not every VPN service delivers all it promises. However, there are a couple of things you need to keep in mind when trying to choose the right VPN that can give you access to Korean TV platforms:

Availability of Korean Servers

The only way you can access Korean Streaming platforms abroad with a VPN is if the VPN provider has servers located in Korea. That way, you connect to an available Korean server for quick access. So, before you choose to use a VPN, ensure that it has one or more servers located in Korea.

Speed

When it comes to streaming content, speed is essential. A fast VPN ensures that you’re not faced with lagging and buffering, and speed also helps you bypass geo-restrictions. Although VPNs reduce your average internet speeds because of the encryption levels and server distance, the best ones can be just as fast as your regular network connection or even faster.

However, factors like your device type, the strength of your internet connection, and distance to the server may affect the speed of your internet.

Security and Encryption

The best VPNs are equipped with the most secure encryption protocol on the market. They also offer various security features, including a kill switch, an ad blocker, and protection from data leaks. Additionally, ensure that any VPN you choose to use has a no-log policy.

Pricing

Ensure that you use a VPN with affordable plans. Even cheap VPNs can provide remarkable services. Surfshark and CyberGhost are excellent options if you are on a budget but need access to Korean TV platforms abroad.

Additionally, premium services rarely offer free versions, but they have money-back guarantees that give you a window of opportunity to try the premium features and get a refund. This comes in handy if you live in Korea but are currently on a trip abroad.

Conclusion

Korean TV is exclusive to people living in the country, but it is not impossible to access such services abroad. This article has pointed out how a VPN is the best tool you can use to gain access. We have also discussed some of the best VPN providers on the market that are guaranteed to bypass geo-blocks and protect you as well.