Best Streaming Services for K-Dramas – CNET [CNET]

April 24, 2022 Kourtnee Jackson technology

Just like K-pop, K-dramas rule. Netflix‘s Squid Game and All of Us Are Dead became mainstream hits with viewers, and there’s plenty of other noteworthy titles including Heirs and Kiss Goblin. K-dramas first started gaining momentum in South Korea in the ’70s, but the genre is now experiencing a boost in popularity beyond its traditional borders. You can soak up Korean-language TV series and films through streaming services that make it easy to binge classics and new releases alike.

From zombie thrillers to emotional family stories, these dramas are grounded in Korean culture and pack in high-quality storytelling. But prepare for a ride. Predictable plots are not a hallmark of this entertainment category, as romance, action, magic and social commentary are often woven into the storylines. And so is music.

In the K-drama world, producers tap K-pop stars to perform theme songs and other musical numbers for their series, and sometimes, these popular performers snag acting roles. IU headlined Hotel Del Luna, while 2PM’s Ok Taec-yeon starred in Netflix’s Vincenzo. And we can’t forget to mention BTS fan-favorite Kim “V” Taehyung who played in 2016’s Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth.

No matter who’s cast, you can be entertained while watching a Korean series. Whether you’re a hardcore fan or dipping your toe in, here’s a list of the best places to stream K-dramas.

Rakuten Viki

Best overall with the most K-drama titles for cheap

See at Rakuten Viki

Netflix

Home of Squid Game and a variety of Korean content

$10 at Netflix

Kocowa

A blend of free and paid content that’s 100% Korean

See at Kocowa

AsianCrush

Lots of live and on-demand K-dramas for free

See at Asian Crush

Tubi

All the K-drama you want for free

See at Tubi

Amazon Prime Video

Decent K-drama catalog, but it’s hard to find

See at Prime Video

K-Drama Streaming Services FAQs

What is a K-drama?

New to the world of Korean entertainment? K-drama — short for Korean drama — is a type of television series produced by and starring South Koreans. Some consider it a genre on its own, but within the Korean drama landscape, there are love stories, adventures, fantasies, historical dramas, comedies, horror tales, medical procedurals and school-centric sagas.

Writers will often work in themes centered on family, gender roles, mental health or other things affecting everyday society. Some streaming services include movies in their K-drama listings, whether they’re in-house original productions or licensed from studios.

Are any K-dramas dubbed in English?

K-dramas are typically streamed with subtitles in various languages, including English and Spanish. On your search to find voice-dubbed content, you may be hard-pressed to come across titles that are dubbed in English. While some streaming services have a small sampling of dubbed versions, Netflix is the best place to find them.

Which K-drama streaming sites are legal?

Pirated content is nothing new. With that in mind, those hunting for Korean series may encounter some illegal sites that offer free streaming. Though free, these often pose security risks. Legit streaming services either make their own content or have licensing agreements in place with creators to ensure copyright laws are respected. How can you spot the difference between legal and illegal providers?

First, verify whether the service has an app. If you can find it on Google Play, Apple’s App Store, FireTV, Roku and the like, chances are it’s legal. If you’re urged to use a VPN for a site, be wary. That’s usually an indicator that it’s not operating above board. And beware of those with dubious user interfaces.

Check the service’s history or “About Us” section to find out how long it’s been in business and where it’s headquartered. If you see disclaimers about sharing links, run. Look for streamers like Netflix or Viki who offer monthly paid subscriptions. Though platforms like Tubi dole out free content, they have ad partnerships with credible businesses. When all else fails, Google legal streaming services.