You likely already know this but these days, most streaming services are region-locked, which means that they’re only available in specific countries. Unfortunately, this means that if you go abroad, you could find yourself unable to stay up to date with your favorite Korean TV shows. This kind of blocking is actually extremely simple to get around; all you have to do is connect to a Korean VPN server.

This works because most geo-restricted services determine the user’s location using their IP address. Once connected to a VPN, only your chosen server’s IP address is visible. In other words, if you use a server that’s in Korea, websites will believe that’s where you really are. Another advantage of VPNs is that they encrypt your traffic, which means snoopers like your internet service provider can’t see what you get up to online.

How to unblock Korean TV from outside Korea with a VPN

Unblocking Korean TV from abroad is remarkably simple. Just follow the steps below to stream all of your favorite shows from outside South Korea.

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

  • First, you’ll have to choose which of the VPNs below to use (we recommend NordVPN).
  • Download and install the app on any device you’d like to stream on. Usually, five simultaneous connections are permitted but this varies from one VPN to another.
  • When you’re ready, connect to a server in South Korea. This will provide you with a South Korean IP address and allow you to bypass region-locking with ease.
  • Lastly, visit a Korean streaming service and play something. You should find that videos now load without any issues. If you’re having trouble, clear your cache and reload the page, or contact your VPN’s customer support team for more help.

How to choose the best VPN provider for Korean TV shows

It’s easy to feel like you’re in over your head when comparing VPNs. Here’s a tip that should greatly simplify things: instead of opting for a service that does one thing really well, try to choose a more versatile VPN. This way, you can do far more than just watch Korean TV. Below, you’ll find the criteria we used to find the best VPNs for South Korean TV:

There are no hidden terms—just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn’t right for you and you’ll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.

  • Has at least one South Korean server, although preferably more
  • Can unblock some of the most popular Korean streaming services from abroad
  • Offers consistently high speeds and is fast enough for flawless live streaming
  • Uses advanced security features to keep your activities private
  • Doesn’t log any data that could identify you
  • Provides apps for both desktop and mobile operating systems

Below, we’ve provided a brief overview of the best VPNs for watching Korean TV abroad. However, if you’d like more information, keep reading; we’ll take a closer look at each later.

Best VPNs for streaming Korean TV shows abroad:

  • NordVPN: The #1 choice for watching Korean TV abroad. This security-first VPN unblocks all kinds of Korean streaming platforms and has over 5,000 servers worldwide. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
  • Surfshark: The best way to live stream Korean TV on a budget. A top-notch provider with solid speeds, strong unblocking potential, and a wide range of security and privacy features. Lets users connect all of their devices at once.
  • ExpressVPN: Boasts speedy Korean servers, powerful security features, and first-rate unblocking capabilities.
  • IPVanish: A very fast service that puts your privacy first. Allows an unlimited number of connections and can unblock major Korean TV channels with ease.
  • PrivateVPN: With exceptionally fast speeds, unlimited bandwidth, and fantastic unblocking ability, this VPN makes it as easy as possible to watch South Korean TV from abroad.
  • Hotspot Shield: This versatile, high-speed service allows you to stream South Korean TV from anywhere and boasts a solid security offering.

The best VPNs for Korean TV – At a glance

We’ve compared the most important features for 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

We provide an up-close look at all of the best VPNs for Korean TV below:

1. NordVPN

                    Jan 2023

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background
  • FireTV

Website: www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

NordVPN has one of the largest networks of any major provider, with 5,000 fast servers across 60+ countries including South Korea. It also boasts fantastic unblocking ability; in fact, you can use it to access services like KBS, Disney+, or BBC iPlayer, wherever in the world you are. Further, this VPN permits up to six simultaneous connections per account.

Security is NordVPN’s specialty. It keeps you safe from prying eyes with a combination of 256-bit encryption, automatic malware-scanning, and protection against IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks. There’s also a kill switch that stops sending data the moment your connection drops. NordVPN is a zero-logs provider and as such, your activities can’t be traced back to you. Customer support is available around the clock over email and live chat.

NordVPN offers both desktop clients (Windows, MacOS, Linux) and mobile apps (Android and iOS). You can manually install it on select internet routers to secure all of your devices at once.

BEST VPN FOR KOREAN TV:NordVPN is our first choice. Not only lets you unblocks all kinds of Korean streaming platforms, but it also has all of the tools you need to do so safely. Best of all, it’s extremely fast and secure, plus it offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Pros:

  • More than half a dozen Korean servers
  • Very high speeds
  • Top-notch unblocking capabilities
  • Plenty of advanced online security features
  • Doesn’t keep any logs whatsoever

Cons:

  • Desktop apps sometimes take a little longer to connect

Our score:

Read our complete review of NordVPN.

2. Surfshark

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website: www.Surfshark.com

Surfshark provides access to 3,200+ servers in South Korea and another 60+ countries. With steady speeds and strong unblocking ability, it allows you to watch all of your favorite TV shows from anywhere in the world, without having to worry about lag or buffering. One of the best things about this service is that it has no connection limit; in other words, you can use it to secure every device you own.

This service uses 256-bit encryption to keep you safe online. There’s also DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, a malware-scanner, an ad-blocker, and a NoBorders mode that lets you bypass especially strict country-wide internet blocking. Surfshark doesn’t log any data that could be traced back to you, so your privacy is in good hands. Support staff can be reached 24/7 via live chat or email.

Surfshark provides apps for iOS, Android, MacOS, Linux, and Windows devices. It also works on select network routers, although you’ll have to configure the service manually.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark has excellent unblocking capabilities, solid speeds, and no connection limit. With a low price and 30-day money-back guarantee, this service is perfect for streaming Korean TV while abroad.

  • Very fast servers

  • Excellent unblocking ability

  • Allows unlimited devices

  • Strong security credentials

  • Keeps no logs

  • Menus could be better organized

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

3. ExpressVPN

Website: www.ExpressVPN.com

ExpressVPN is an excellent choice for watching Korean TV while abroad. It has over 3,000 servers in 94 countries, so you’re all but guaranteed a high-speed, low-latency connection. Additionally, it’s able to unblock major services like SBS, TV Chosun, and Wavve from outside Korea. As if that wasn’t enough, ExpressVPN offers unlimited bandwidth and allows users to connect up to five devices at once.

This service pays particular attention to its users’ security. It keeps your activities private at all times using effectively uncrackable 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and DNS and IPv6 leak protection. Most importantly, ExpressVPN doesn’t log any personally identifiable data, which means it can’t divulge details of your browsing habits even if asked to. If you run into any issues, 24/7 support is on-hand over live chat and email.

ExpressVPN includes apps for MacOS, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS. Further, it offers custom firmware that allows users to more easily install the service on supported routers.

WATCH TV ANYWHERE:ExpressVPN is great for watching Korean TV. Speedy connections, powerful security features, and the ability to unblock a wide range of services make it easy to stream safely abroad. A 30-day money-back guarantee is included.

  • Excellent speeds

  • Capable of unblocking all kinds of Korean streaming services

  • Puts your security first

  • Accepts Bitcoin payments

  • Slightly higher price than some others

  • Few customizable features

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

4. IPVanish

Website: www.IPVanish.com

IPVanish has a network of more than 1,900 servers in 60+ countries (South Korea included). What’s more, its servers are reliable and fast enough to live stream Korean TV without any noticeable lag. This makes it ideal for anyone looking to stream geo-blocked content abroad. Further, as this VPN has no connection limit, you’ll be able to protect all of your devices simultaneously.

This lightweight VPN comes 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, which means you can browse the web almost completely anonymously. Need help? Live chat-based support is available 24/7 just in case you need it.

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

GREAT FOR PRIVACY:IPVanish is a high-speed provider that follows a strict zero-logs policy. As such, you’ll be able to watch MBC, SBS, and more without worrying about who might be monitoring your activities. Additionally, IPVanish includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Consistently high speeds

  • Capable of unblocking major Korean streaming platforms including SBS

  • Powerful security and privacy protections

  • Has difficulty with some larger streaming services

Take a look at the in-depth IPVanish review.

5. PrivateVPN

Website: www.PrivateVPN.com

PrivateVPN may have a fairly small network, with around 200 servers spread across 60+ countries but it does provide some of the highest speeds around. Not only that, but this is also one of the few services capable of securely accessing Netflix Korea from abroad. As such, it’s a natural choice for anyone who streams frequently. With a 10-connection limit, you can watch both at home and when you’re on the move.

This VPN has a strong security offering too. Its 256-bit 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 MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android 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.

TOP-TIER SPEEDS:PrivateVPN is extremely fast and works with a huge range of streaming services. What’s more, it comes packed with powerful security features and even offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • One of the fastest VPNs around

  • Among the best for streaming

  • Takes your online security seriously and keeps no logs

  • Live chat support not 24/7

Find out more in our comprehensive PrivateVPN review.

6. Hotspot Shield

Website: www.Hotspotshield.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

                    Editor’s Note: Hotspot Shield is owned by Pango, Comparitech’s parent company.

This VPN keeps your activities private with 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. It can be configured to connect automatically whenever you use a public wifi hotspot, and you can even choose to let specific websites bypass the VPN entirely. Hotspot Shield doesn’t keep any personally identifiable data and as such, once connected, you’re almost entirely untraceable. If you need help, you can contact support via email or 24/7 live chat.

Hotspot Shield allows users to install apps for MacOS, Windows, iOS, Android, and Linux. It’s also possible to manually configure this VPN for use with supported wireless routers.

FAST AND SECURE:Hotspot Shield is a very fast service that puts major emphasis on user security. Of course, it’s also able to unblock a host of Korean TV channels. Best of all, it comes with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

  • Speeds are high enough for perfect live streaming

  • Stream all kinds of content outside of Korea

  • Decent security features

  • Working to repair reputation after past privacy issues

  • Doesn’t accept Bitcoin

Read our complete review of Hotspot Shield.

Methodology: How we chose the best VPNs for Korean TV

Every VPN is different and not all of them are a good fit for streaming Korean TV. You’ll often find that some providers focus more on security than unblocking ability, for instance, which might leave you unable to access a particular streaming service abroad. With this in mind, we highlighted a few key areas in which the best VPNs for Korean TV should stand out:

  • Server choice: To access Korea-only services like KBS from abroad, your VPN will need Korean servers. We’d like to see several, in fact, preferably spread across multiple cities so that 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 decent speeds and a reliable connection. We only recommend VPNs that have performed well in our speed tests so that you don’t have to contend with buffering, stuttering, or streams that fail to load.
  • Streaming ability: It’s not enough to have a South Korean IP address, you also have to be able to securely access a wide range of streaming services. We’ve tested the above VPNs with popular platforms like Netflix, SBS, KBS, and Disney+ to make sure you always have something to watch.
  • Security: To help protect your online activities from snoopers, we only recommend VPNs that have 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a no-logs policy. Some of the services above go even further, with special anti-censorship protocols and the ability to let some apps through the VPN entirely.
  • User-friendliness: It’s important that, no matter which VPN you choose, you can get started right away. 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.

This might seem like a long list of requirements but it’s really only the start of our process. To find out more, check out our full VPN testing methodology post.

You should note that these services can pose a real threat to your security too. In fact, research indicates that a high percentage of free VPN apps fail to use any encryption, which means they’re no safer than browsing normally. 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.

  • KBS
  • SBS
  • MBC
  • JTV
  • Netflix Korea
  • TV Chosun
  • Wavve