10 Free Sites To Watch Korean Drama

Thanks to the advancements in on-demand content services, regional television shows are not confined within the borders anymore. K-dramas in particular, have amassed a huge fan following in the West in the last 10 years or so. While mainstream TV channels and streaming platforms only feature popular titles, there are many hidden gems you may not have discovered yet. To explore them, you need to know the best sites to watch Korean dramas.

Whether you are looking for premium streaming options or a free alternative, this entertainment guide will help you find the best platform to enjoy K-dramas 

10 Best Sites to Watch Korean Drama  

After evaluating over 24 free and paid streaming platforms, we have curated a compilation of the 10 best sites to watch Korean dramas online. While some are available through a monthly subscription, the majority of them offer either a free trial or ad-supported unlimited access.

Without wasting any more time, let’s take a look:

Site	Free Trial	Price
Kocowa+	14 days	$6.99/m, $7.99/m
Netflix	❌	$6.99/m, $15.49/m, $22.99/m
Roku	Unlimited free with ads	$6.99/m
Hulu	30 days	$7.99/m, $17.99/m, $76.99/m (Live TV)
Prime Video	30 days	$14.99/m, $139/year
Asian Crush	Limited free with ads	$4.99/m, $49.99/year
YouTube	Unlimited with ads	$11.99/m
Viki	Free with ads	$5.99/m, $9.99/m
Viu	Free with ads	$4.87/m, $11.30/3 months
Tubi	Free with ads	Free

 

1. Kocowa+

Available on: iOS, Android, Web

The first one on the list is Kocowa+, a platform dedicated to Korean dramas, K-pop music, and movies. The best thing is that both free and paid subscribers get access to the same content library, featuring thousands of classic and contemporary K-dramas, movies, and music shows. There is an option to watch scheduled live music shows, but the service is exclusively for paid members only. 

A premium plan is available at just $7.99/month, where you can download and watch your content offline and operate up to four different profiles. The cherry on the cake? All the Kocawa+ streaming is 100% ad-free. 

2. Netflix

Available on: Android, iOS, Web, SmartTV, Streaming Players 

Netflix may not provide you with as many options as Kocowa+, but the platform features some of the most critically acclaimed K-dramas, which you won’t find anywhere else. From romantics like My Demon and Business Proposal to action-thrillers like The Uncanny Counter, you can find shows across the genres, all with English subtitles. Not to mention the Netflix Original Squid Game, which became a global sensation in 2021. 

Unfortunately, Netflix requires an upfront subscription, since there is no trial or free access available at all. Currently, there are three premium plans available – Standard with ads (1080p 2 devices at a time), Standard (1080p, No ads), and Premium (4K HDR, 4 devices at a time, spatial audio). 

3. Roku Channel

Available on: Android, iOS, Web, SmartTV, Google TV, FireTV

Roku is primarily popular for premium subscriptions like Starz and Showtime, but there is a decent selection of Korean Dramas available for free. While it offers ad-supported streaming, the quality is top-notch, given that you are not paying anything. Currently, the platform features nearly 50 K-dramas, including blockbusters like Catch the Ghost, Ex-Girlfriends’ Club, Howling, Montage, and many others worthy of binge-watching. 

What’s more, you can subscribe to dedicated Korean free and premium channels like KORTV, BingeKorea, and OnDemandKorea to get your daily dose of the latest Korean movies, TV shows, news, and K-pop music. 

4. Hulu

Available on: Android, iOS, Smart TV, PlayStation, Xbox, Apple TV, Web

On Hulu, you can watch popular K-dramas, films, and television series for just $7.99 per month. The library includes romantic, comedy, and fantasy series, including the superhit Hulu Originals like The First Responders, Dr. Romantic, Kiss Sixth Sense, and One Dollar Lawyer. Additionally, you can watch Korean cinematic gems like Hide and Seek, Parasite, and I Saw the Devil which have garnered love from around the world. 

While the base plan includes ads, you can purchase the top-tier plan for $17.99 and enjoy unlimited ad-free streaming, along with the option to download and watch offline. However, both plans allow you to add premium streaming channels like Paramount+ SHOWTIME, STARZ, Max, and Cinemax.

5. Amazon Prime Video

Available on: Android, iOS, SmartTV, Web

One of the leading streaming platforms Prime Video is also home to hundreds of classic Korean dramas and movies. While some popular titles are locked behind a rental/purchase, there is a considerable amount of Korean entertainment available, along with thousands of international movies, TV shows, and documentaries. Moreover, there are popular Amazon Original K-Dramas like May I Help You?, True to Love, My Love from the Stars, and The Killing Vote. 

Apart from a standard 1-month trial period, there is a chance to secure a 6-month long trial, if you are a college student, or between 18-24 years of age. A monthly subscription cost of $14.99/month will be applicable after the trial period expires. 

6. Asian Crush

Available on:  Web

Loaded with hundreds of binge-worthy titles, AsianCrush is one of the best sites to watch Korean dramas without any upfront cost. Whether you are looking for romantic, action, thriller, comedy, or anime, the free version offers you a considerable amount of Korean entertainment. However, if you want to extend your watchlist, you can go Premium, but don’t worry, with the base plan costing just $4.99/month, it is the most cost-effective option available in the US. 

Lastly, there are three live TV channels available for free Asiancrush, RetroCrush, and Midnight Pulp where you can catch classic K-dramas and movies. Start your 7-day free trial today and check whether or not the AsianCrush content library suits your preferences.

7. YouTube

Available on:  Android, iOS, SmartTV, Web, Mac, Windows

YouTube, the world’s leading video hosting platform, can be a good source for K-dramas, television series, comedy shows, and movies. While there is no standard K-drama library, you can search for Korean entertainment channels such as K-Drama, KOK TV, Dingo Story, and tvN D Story, which frequently upload regional films and drama series. More often than not, you will only find classic drama episodes, but given it’s a 100% free platform, the option is worth considering.  

Moreover, you can also find clips from newly released Korean shows, fan-made edits, analyses, and summary videos for extra entertainment. Like always, YouTube is free, which puts it among the top sites to watch Korean Dramas. For a total ad-free experience, consider buying YouTube Premium for $11.99/month.

8. Rakuten Viki

Available on: Android, iOS, SmartTV, FireTV, Chromecast, Apple TV, Android TV

Rakuten Viki is all about Asian entertainment, featuring hundreds of movies and TV shows from China, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, and of course Korea. In terms of content strength, it is among the best sites to watch Korean Dramas, giving you free (with ads) access to some of the latest and premium shows like Su Ji and U Ri, Wedding Impossible, Hide, My Boss, and plenty of others. Moreover, there is a sizable amount of Viki Originals and Korean Anime, adding more flavor to your entertainment.  

You can go ad-free with one of the available premium Viki Passes, priced at $5.99/month (1000 movies and shows at 720p, 1 device at a time) and $9.99/month (1500 movies and TV shows at 1080p, 4 simultaneous streamings, and unlimited downloads). 

9. Viu

Available on: Web

While Vio is only available primarily in Asian and Middle-East countries, with over 62 million monthly users, it’s among the most popular sites to watch Korean dramas, films, and original TV series. In addition to a vast Korean content library, you can also explore trending Chinese and Japanese drama series, movies, and anime for added entertainment, all with subtitles and multi-language audio support.

Please keep in mind that that Viu is not directly accessible outside its 16 markets, however, with the use of a reliable VPN program, you can enjoy streaming its content from anywhere in the world. Nonetheless, you will have to pay for the premium service, which is just $4.87/month, and $11.30 for three months. 

10. Tubi

Available on: iOS, Android, Web

My last recommendation is Tubi, one of the best sites to watch Korean Drama as well as international films for completely free. While the website is not dedicated to K-drama, you will find a decent amount of movies and TV shows, including some of the new releases from romance, comedy, and adult genres. All the titles are available in minimum 720p resolution with English subtitles.  

Tubi is one of the rarest streaming platforms that doesn’t offer any premium plan. Everything on the website is ad-sponsored and available for 100% free. All you have to do is create a free account, browse for the titles, and start binge-watching your favorite Korean TV series. 

FAQs

1. What are the best sites to watch Korean Drama for free?

Tubi, Viki, AsianCrush, and Roku Channel are the best free sites to watch Korean dramas in 2024. 

2. Are there any safe sites to watch Korean dramas?

While all the websites outlined in this guide are safe, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Roku Channel, and Hulu are the premium options, allowing you to stream K-dramas legally and safely.

3. What are the most popular Korean dramas?

Some of the most popular Korean dramas available for streaming are:

• Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022)
• Squid Game (2021)
• Happiness (2021)
• Weak Hero Class 1, 2022
• Descendants of the Sun (2016)
• Crash Landing on You (2019)
• Goblin: The Great and Lonely God (2016)

4. Is it legal to watch Korean dramas on free websites?

Yes. it is 100% legal to stream Korean dramas on free websites mentioned in this guide. 

Concluding Remarks

It’s time to wrap up! K-dramas have become a sensation, not just in America but across the globe. Their unique themes, youthful star cast, and modern storylines seem to connect to the younger generation as well as seasoned movie enthusiasts. Before you decide to subscribe to a premium service to watch a particular title, always search for it on the free websites first. Also, it’s a good idea to use a VPN to access the content library of other countries, preferably Asian ones. 

So now that you already know the best sites to watch Korean dramas, why wait? Pick a website and explore the delightful Asian television.