Top 5 Apps To Watch & Download Korean Dramas (Free & Paid)
If you enjoy watching Korean dramas on your smartphone, plenty of apps exist. Many of these apps offer dramas with subtitles and dubbing in regional languages, making it convenient to watch in your preferred language.
Several apps also include a download feature, allowing you to save dramas on your device and watch them offline later. Below is a list of apps that stream K-dramas. All of them are available on Android, and some are also available on iOS.
1. Viki (Free & Paid)
Viki offers one of the largest libraries of K-dramas, allowing you to watch almost all available dramas. Some of the content is free to watch in lower quality and includes a few ads. However, to access currently airing dramas, you will need to purchase the standard plan.
The subtitles on Viki are crowdsourced, meaning community members volunteer to subtitle dramas in various languages, not just English. Additionally, Viki has a forum where you can connect with other members and engage in discussions about your favourite shows.
2. Netflix (Paid)
Netflix is the most popular paid platform, offering a vast range of content, including TV shows and movies. It also hosts one of the largest libraries of Korean dramas, making it a go-to destination for K-drama fans.
On Netflix, you can watch most of the Korean dramas you’re familiar with, complete with English subtitles. Additionally, some of the most popular dramas have been dubbed in regional languages, catering to a wider audience.
3. Viu (Free & Paid)
Viu offers a large library of dramas, particularly in Southeast Asian countries and the Middle East. In addition to streaming content, Viu also produces its original dramas. Many shows are available with localized audio dubs, making it easier for viewers to enjoy them in their preferred language.
Viu offers free Kdrama streaming with ads. For ad-free viewing, 1080p HD quality, and unlimited downloads, a premium subscription is required.
4. Disney+ (Hotstar) (Paid)
Disney+ is increasing its Korean drama content and investment. In Southeast Asian countries like India, the Philippines, and Singapore, it operates as Disney+ Hotstar.
For a small monthly or yearly plan, you get access to all the dramas along with other Disney, Hulu, and other content that can be watched with English subtitles. Some dramas have also been dubbed into English.
5. YouTube (Free)
YouTube is the best source to watch Korean dramas for free. Some of the popular Kdramas of the channels SBS and KBS are available with English subtitles. You can watch the dramas on the SBS World and KBS World TV channels.
A few dramas that you can stream include Dr. Romantic, The Heirs, Pinocchio, My Strange Hero, I Can Hear Your Voice, Master’s Sun, Rooftop Prince, Fight for My Way, Hwarang, etc.
6. Prime Video (Paid)
Amazon Prime Video offers select Korean dramas with English subtitles at competitive prices. Drama availability differs across regions.
Prime Video has Kocowa as one of the channels where you can enjoy all the content hosted on Kocowa. You can buy the Kocowa subscription and watch it on Prime Video.
7. HiTV (Free)
HiTV is a new Kdrama streaming app that hosts all the dramas for free. You will be able to watch them in full HD quality with English subtitles and zero advertisements. It also includes the currently airing dramas.
This app is the only streaming service where you can watch all the dramas for free without any paid subscriptions or monthly fees. But it is not clear that whether it is legal or not, and dramas are not licensed for this app.
8. Loklok (Free)
Loklok is another free streaming app that lets you watch all Korean dramas and movies for free. This drama is an alternative to HiTV app and works the same.
The app has no ads and provides different servers for streaming and downloading episodes. It also has a comment section for each drama where you can share your views and opinions.
9. Kocowa (Paid)
Kocowa is a joint streaming service created by three major Korean broadcasters: KBS, SBS, and MBC. It hosts all the recent and old dramas that aired on these channels. The only demerit is that it is available only in America.
Kocowa is a paid platform that costs $6.99 per month for full access to all the content. Viki’s Pass Plus subscribers have additional access to Kocowa content without a separate subscription to Kocowa.