Similar to K-pop, K-dramas enforces.'s and became mainstream hits with viewers, and there's plenty of other notable titles, including Heirs and Kiss Goblin. K-dramas started gaining momentum in South Korea in the 1970s, but the genre is now experiencing a surge in popularity beyond its traditional borders. Through streaming services, you may stream Korean-language and movies.
These dramas are centered on Korean culture and are able to deliver high-quality narrative. However, prepare for a trip. Dramatic sequences are not a hallmark of this category, as romance, action, magic, and social commentary are often woven into the narrative lines. And so is music.
Producers tap K-pop talents to perform theme songs and musical numbers for their films, and sometimes, IU headlined Hotel Del Luna, while 2PM's Ok Taec-yeon starred in Vincenzo. Lastly, we can't forget to mention fan-favorite Kim "V" Taehyung who played in 2016's Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth.
Whether you're a hardcore fan or dipping your toe into a Korean series, here's a list of the best places to stream K-dramas.
K-dramas on Rakuten Viki, better known as Viki, is like hitting the mother lode. Viki has over 1,000 Korean television shows and over 200 movies that you can watch on demand, including originals. It also offers some shows live. Everything on the service is subtitled, often in multiple languages.
Viki's unique collection is enhanced by a special collections. Examples include shows to see if you like the Squid Game, K-drama for beginners, or the finest Korean dramas of the year.
Rakuten Viki is offering a free streaming option, which includes ads and limitations for certain content. Viki Standard Pass is $5 a month, while the Viki Plus Pass is $10 a month. The Standard Pass includes HD, Viki originals, and access to exclusive Standard titles.
The Viki Plus Pass includes everything from the Standard version, offline downloads, and access to hundreds of hours of additional information. Each paid plan includes a seven-day free trial. There's a possibility to purchase some movies for $2 to $3.
Viki does not offer multiple streams at this time, thus you may only stream one thing at a time per day per account. However, you may follow shows, actors, or collections, and set up a watch list if you have a free account. Viki is available on a web browser or via Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast, and mobile devices.
The streaming platform for Squid Game, Tomorrow, and All of Us Are Dead is already booming on Netflix, and more originals are on the way. A move that demonstrates the company's commitment to expanding its catalog in the genre. There are currently 130 Korean shows and films on the platform, including Stranger and a string of originals, including Twenty Five Twenty One.
The service has several methods for you to find K-dramas on the internet, allowing you to narrow your search into key categories. There's a list of "K-Dramas for Beginners," as well as a more specific "K-Dramas about Roommates." If you like romance, bromance, fantasy, or historical epics, the service is a must.
Easily click on the TV Shows menu and select the "K-dramas" genre to generate more than a dozen rows of content. A number of new releases, classic series, and movies that are ripe for a binge fest are among the options. While Netflix's Korean movie selection isn't as broad as other streaming services, there are a few options available on the platform to keep your watch list organized.
Kocowa, which is located in Los Angeles, was founded in 2017 and all of its content comes directly from South Korea. It features more than 17,000 hours of Korean television, including Running Man and The Penthouse. Along with the K-drama series, there are several scenes on the service that determine whether titles are trending, new or genre-specific. And viewers appreciate Kocowa's quick turnaround time when it comes to subtitling new arrivals on the platform.
Without signing up, you may view some content on the app or Kocowa's website for free. Taste24HR, which provides free access to Korean shows and dramas right after they air on South Korea networks MBC, KBS, and SBS. The new content streams with and without subtitles and is up for 24 hours. Both options include ads.
The $7 monthly/$70 per year subscription provides ad-free viewing of everything on the streaming service, and a 14-day free trial. This is particularly useful if you want to see one show on a particular day or simply want to try things out.
Kocowa is not available on Amazon's Fire TV devices, but it is not available on the site.
Live programming is now running alongside the standard thumbnails as soon as you launch the AsianCrush app on your TV. South Korea, Japan, China, and beyond have provided information, and you may get the most of it for free on the ad-supported version.
The K-dramas and films in AsianCrush may be streamed on-demand or as live feeds on-demand depending on country, title, genre, on-demand listings, or through one of its special collections such as Korean movies. Boys Over Flowers and Sweet Revenge are among the most popular songs to date. Here, subtitles are the king.
For watching without ads, you'll receive a premium subscription for $5 per month or $50 per year. Ratings are listed next to each title, and AsianCrush's on-demand menu divates content into categories such as "Independent," "Staff Favorites," and "Popular Korean Dramas."
AsianCrush can be streamed on iOS devices, Google Play, Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, or on your computer. The service is only available in the United States and Canada.
Tubi's library has nearly 300 Korean titles, from the late 1990s to 2021, and it's all free. Instead of searching the app using creative search terms, films and TV series can be found under, and you may search by title if you know exactly what you want to watch. Although the majority of its selections are subtitled, there is also a handful of English-dubbed titles.
If you want to create a personal watch list, the streaming service is free, but you may have to register for it. Tubi is available on all major streaming devices, including game consoles and smart televisions.
If you haven't ventured into Korea lately, take a look at their Korean entertainment offerings. Unfortunately, they're not easy to find. While the service has a designated section for foreign content, it is not organized by country. It's best to use specific titles or search terms such as "Korean dramas" or "Korean horror movies" to comb through Prime's titles. Alexa will not necessarily be much help.
The Handmaiden is a popular feature from Amazon's streaming service. Train to Busan, Cafe Midnight, and Goblin are all available for free, with a Prime membership. The K-dramas are divided into several categories, with romantic scenes such as Secret Garden. The platform also has subtitled and dubbed programming.
Note that a stand-alone Prime Video subscription costs $9. If you don't have a membership, please note that some K-dramas on the platform are part of IMDb TV, Amazon's free ad-supported video streaming arm. Other content has a rent or buy option, as indicated in the title banner.
FAQs on K-Drama Streaming Services
What is the meaning of a K-drame?
Is it a new aspect of Korean entertainment? K-drama, which is formerly known as Korean drama, is a television series that premieres and stars South Koreans. Some say it is a fun musical genre on its own, but there are also love stories, adventures, fantasies, historical fiction, comedies, horror tales, and medical procedures.
Some streaming services include films that are often featured on their K-drama lists, whether they are in-house original productions or licensed from studios.
Is there any K-dramas dubbed in English?
In order to find voice-dubbed content, you may be difficult 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 begin searching.
Which K-drama streaming sites are legal?
Aside from that, those seeking for a Korean series might encounter some illegal sites that offer free streaming. These are a concern for the security of the content, but legitimate streaming services either make their own content or have licensing agreements with creators in place to ensure copyright laws are respected. How can you discern 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 other sites, you may be wary. That's often an indication that the site isn't operating above board. And beware of those who have trouble with their user interfaces.
Check the service's history or "About Us" section to see how long it has been in business and where it is located. Try to keep links hidden, as long as you pay monthly payments. Although platform like Tubi give free content, they have ad partnerships with credible companies. Google has legal streaming services.
