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How to Watch Korean Netflix in US States & Abroad

How to Watch Korean Netflix in US States & Abroad in 2024: Get Your Korean Entertainment Anywhere in the World

If you want access to an extensive collection of Korean flicks, your best bet is to use a VPN to access Korean Netflix. This step-by-step guide will show you how to watch Korean Netflix in the U.S. We’ll also highlight the best VPNs for the task.

Wisdom SablahAleksandar KochovskiJasna Mishevska

Written by Wisdom Sablah (Writer)

Reviewed by Aleksandar Kochovski (Editor)

Facts checked by Jasna Mishevska (Lead Fact-Checking Editor)

Last Updated: 2024-02-19T22:35:11+00:00

All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.

Korean movies are all the rage these days. It’s no surprise that Netflix is jam-packed with all kinds of Korean content, from romantic series and comedies to action-packed thrillers. However, some of them are only available on Netflix Korea. In this article, we’ll show you how to watch Korean Netflix in the U.S. 

Key Takeaways: Unblock Korean Netflix Abroad

  • Netflix’s Korean catalog has content that’s not available in the U.S. To access it, you need a VPN to change your Netflix location.
  • To change your location, download and install a VPN, connect to a Korean server and start watching Korean Netflix.
  • ExpressVPN is the best VPN for unblocking Korean Netflix because it’s fast and doesn’t struggle with geoblocks. NordVPN and Surfshark are cheaper alternatives that can also get the job done.

With a South Korean VPN, you can change your Netflix location to Korea, tricking Netflix into displaying its Korean library. ExpressVPN is the best at it, thanks to its server location in South Korea, peerless unblocking ability and fast speeds. 

  • 02/09/2023 Facts checked

    Rewritten the best Korean VPN list and added a section on the best Korean Netflix content.

How to Watch Korean Netflix in US States With a VPN

Netflix’s content is not the same everywhere. Because of copyright and licensing regulations, the streaming service displays specific titles per location. That’s why the Korean Netflix library has movies you can’t find in the American catalog. 

You’ll need a virtual private network (VPN) to get around Netflix’s geoblocks. Netflix checks IP addresses to determine which library to display. If you’re in the U.S., it will show you the U.S. library. However, when you connect to a VPN server in Korea, your IP address will be changed to a Korean IP, and Netflix will have no choice but to display the Korean Netflix library. 

Access Korean Netflix From Anywhere: Step-by-Step Guide

Below, you’ll find an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide to help you set up a VPN to watch Korean Netflix. We’ll use our favorite VPN, ExpressVPN, to walk you through the steps, but you can follow this template for your VPN of choice. 

  1. Download and Install a VPN

    Go to the VPN’s website or your device’s app store and download the VPN app. Follow the installation prompts to set up the VPN on your device. We recommend choosing one of the three best VPNs we’ve written about in the next section.

    download expressvpn
  2. Connect to a Korean Server

    Sift through the VPN’s server list and connect to a Korean server. You might have to use the search button to find it. If there are multiple Korean servers, choose the fastest one.

    connect to korean server
  3. Launch Your Netflix App and Start Streaming

    Sign in to your Netflix account and start watching your favorite Korean series and shows. If you still can’t access Netflix Korea, try a different server or VPN service.

    Netflix signup

Best VPNs for Unblocking Korean Netflix

Netflix has robust firewalls that monitor and block VPNs. As a result, not every VPN can unblock Netflix Korea. A good Korean Netflix VPN should have a server location in Korea, fast speeds and excellent unblocking ability. Below, you’ll discover three tried-and-tested VPNs that are up to the task.

1. ExpressVPN

expressvpn south korea
ExpressVPN’s unparalleled unblocking ability and fast speeds make it the ideal choice to watch Korean Netflix.

Pros:

  • Server in South Korea
  • Netflix unblocking ability
  • Fast speeds

Cons:

  • Expensive

In all our years of testing VPNs against Netflix’s firewalls, ExpressVPN has always been a standout performer. All of its servers, including the server location in Korea, skip past Netflix geoblocks with ease. It’s no surprise that ExpressVPN sits at the top of our best VPN for streaming list. 

Aside from unblocking Netflix, ExpressVPN is super fast. You can count on it to stream your favorite Korean shows in high-definition resolution without any lag whatsoever. If you love Netflix on smart TVs, ExpressVPN is the shoo-in choice. Unlike many other VPNs, ExpressVPN has dedicated smart TV and router apps. That’s why it’s the best VPN for smart TVs.

The main issue with ExpressVPN is that it’s expensive. Its monthly and six-month plans are pricey, although you can save a bit with the one-year deal. If you have doubts about the service, read our ExpressVPN review or take it for a test drive using its 30-day money-back guarantee

2. NordVPN

nordvpn desktop app korea
NordVPN is a slightly cheaper and faster alternative to ExpressVPN for watching Korean Netflix.

Pros:

  • Servers in South Korea
  • Lightning fast
  • Excellent security features

Cons:

  • Once suffered a data breach

NordVPN trails ExpressVPN in this ranking simply because of ExpressVPN’s unequaled ability to bypass geoblocks. That aside, NordVPN matches ExpressVPN point for point. It counts over 10 servers in South Korea as part of its massive server network. In our testing, we only needed one try to get into Netflix Korea.

Another of NordVPN’s strengths is that it’s a blazing-fast VPN. This means that you can stream movies in HD or 4K without any fuss. It also has a built-in smart DNS feature known as SmartPlay. This feature automatically switches your DNS servers, enabling you to bypass Netflix’s DNS blocking. 

NordVPN’s monthly and one-year plans are slightly cheaper than ExpressVPN’s. It doesn’t have a six-month plan, though. The cheapest option is the two-year plan. You can read our NordVPN review or try it out for a month risk-free using the money-back guarantee.

3. Surfshark

surfshark korea homepage
Surfshark offers decent speeds and features to unblock and stream South Korean Netflix.

Pros:

  • Server in South Korea 
  • Unlimited device connections
  • Affordable plans

Cons:

  • Site may collect IP addresses

Surfshark is another handy choice for watching Korean Netflix. It has a server location in Seoul, South Korea’s capital city. As a result, you can easily get a Korean IP address and unblock Netflix. It’s not as fast as ExpressVPN and NordVPN, but it has decent enough speeds to help you stream buffer-free.

Security-wise, Surfshark is well stocked. Its CleanWeb feature keeps ads, trackers and malware away while you’re streaming Korean Netflix. It also has unlimited simultaneous connections, which allows you to share one VPN subscription on as many devices as you want.

Surfshark’s one-year plan is the cheapest of all the VPNs on this list. The two-year plan is even cheaper since it comes with a range of security functionalities that other providers usually charge an additional fee to. Plus, you can get a full refund on your Surfshark subscription if you request it within 30 days. You can find out more in our Surfshark review

Surfshark Starter
  • Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Plans renew: $185.40 for one year, $370.80 for two years
  • Unlimited GB
  • Unlimited
  • Yes
Surfshark One
  • Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Plans renew: $191.40 for one year, $380.80 for two years.
  • Unlimited GB
  • Unlimited
Surfshark One+
  • Everything in One, plus Data removal Plans renew: $215.40 for one year, $430.80 for two years
  • Unlimited GB
  • Unlimited

What Can I Watch on Korean Netflix? 

Here’s a list of movies that are available only on Korean Netflix. Some of them have default audio in the Korean language, so if you’re not fluent in Korean, enable English subtitles. 

  • My Girlfriend Is an Alien
  • Ace of Diamond
  • King of Golf
  • Return of the Mafia
  • The Swordsman (Geom-gaek)
  • Architecture 101
  • Man on High Heels
  • The Eagle Shooting Heroes
  • OK! Madam
  • I Wish (Kiseki)
  • The Terror Live
  • The Show Must Go On
  • Young Detective Dee: The Rise of the Sea Dragon
  • Our Sweet Homes
  • Little Taekwon-V

Final Thoughts

Thanks to VPN services, you can watch South Korean Netflix in the U.S. and around the world. The steps to take are straightforward: Download and install a VPN, connect to a Korean server and start streaming your favorite Korean shows.

The best VPN service for streaming Korean content is ExpressVPN. It has a server location in Korea with an unmatched unblocking ability to boot. If ExpressVPN’s price is a deterrent, opt for NordVPN — a slightly cheaper and faster alternative. Surfshark also has what it takes to get into Korean Netflix, and you can use one subscription on unlimited devices.

Was the process of setting up a VPN to watch Korean Netflix simple enough? Which VPN on this list piqued your interest? Have you experienced any difficulties unblocking Netflix’s Korean library? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below. As always, thanks for reading.

FAQ

  • Download and install a VPN and connect to a server in a different country. Then, open Netflix and you’ll notice that you have access to that country’s content library.

  • Download and install a free VPN service that has a server in South Korea, such as TunnelBear. Connect to that server and open your Netflix application to stream Korean Netflix.

  • ExpressVPN is the best at unblocking Korean Netflix, thanks to its server location in Korea, unmatched unblocking ability and super-fast speeds.

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