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5 Best VPNs for South Korea: Unblock Content

Despite being extremely technologically advanced, South Korea has a censored and heavily monitored internet. That's why VPN use in South Korea is very common, particularly among younger citizens. The South Korean government monitors citizens' online activity and sometimes issues penalties that can be severe. VPN services provide encryption that keeps you secure and private online.

As well as protecting your online privacy, a VPN will also allow you to access content that is blocked within South Korea. Alternatively, if want to access South Korean streaming sites, you can also use a VPN to get a South Korean IP address.

In this guide, we list the best VPNs for South Korea and give you some top tips on using a VPN in the country.

What are the best VPNs for South Korea?

Here is a quick look at the best VPNs for South Korea. If you want to know more about each provider, please keep scrolling!

  1. ExpressVPN - The best VPN for South Korea. It unblocks everything, has strong privacy features, and it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
  2. TIP

    In our testing we checked that all ExpressVPN plans work for Netflix. The one year plan is the best value: three months free and a 30 day risk-free trial.

  3. NordVPN - The best mid-range VPN. It has many servers in South Korea, it's great at unblocking content, and it's super fast.
  4. Surfshark - The best value-for money VPN – with lots of handy features and obfuscated (stealth) servers for South Korea.
  5. PrivateVPN - The best cheap VPN for South Korea, and it's really user-friendly – making it great for beginners.
  6. VyprVPN - A great mid-range service that has great apps and has been independently audited.

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Clear-cut terms—should you decide it's not for you within 30 days, contact support for a full refund. Initiate your ExpressVPN trial here .

TEST WINNER ExpressVPN NordVPN Surfshark PrivateVPN VyprVPN
Website ExpressVPN NordVPN Surfshark PrivateVPN VyprVPN
Ranking for South Korea 1 2 3 4 5
Performance 10
9
9
7
7
Reliability 9
8
8
7
7
Free trial
Total servers 3000
6057
3200
200
700
Payment PayPal
Visa/MasterCard
Amex
Cryptocurrency
PayPal
Visa/MasterCard
Amex
Cryptocurrency
PayPal
Visa/MasterCard
Amex
Cryptocurrency
PayPal
Visa/MasterCard
Amex
Cryptocurrency
PayPal
Visa/MasterCard
Amex
Cryptocurrency
Unblocks: Netflix
iPlayer
Disney+
Amazon Prime
Hulu
Netflix
iPlayer
Disney+
Amazon Prime
Hulu
Netflix
iPlayer
Disney+
Amazon Prime
Hulu
Netflix
iPlayer
Disney+
Amazon Prime
Hulu
Netflix
iPlayer
Amazon Prime
Hulu
Supported platforms Windows
macOS
iOS
Android
Windows
macOS
iOS
Android
Windows
macOS
iOS
Android
Windows
macOS
iOS
Android
Windows
macOS
iOS
Android

Best South Korea VPN - In-depth analysis

We take a closer look at our recommended South Korea VPN services. If you want any further information about these providers, check out our detailed VPN reviews.

1. ExpressVPN
Editor's Choice | March 2024

ExpressVPN is one of the fastest and the most reliable provdiers on the market, with plenty of servers for unblocking international and South Korean content from anywhere.

  • Pricing

    • 12 months + 3 months FREE + Backblaze backup: $6.67/mth
      49% OFF
    • 6 months: $9.99/mth
    • 1 month: $12.95/mth
  • Pros

    • Servers in over 94 countries (including South Korea)
    • RAM-only servers mean greater security
    • Super fast - great for streaming and gaming!
    • Beginner-friendly, easy-to-use apps for all platforms
    • Offers a custom WireGuard implementation: Lightway
  • Cons

    • Only 5 simultaneous devices
    • Expensive - but worth it
    • No port-forwarding means it's not the best for torrenting
  • Speeds

    • 100.00 Mbps
  • Logging policy

    • Aggregated
  • Available for

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Website

ExpressVPN Demo

ExpressVPN Demo ExpressVPN Demo


ExpressVPN is one of the world's most established providers, and has been raising the bar for the industry for the last decade. With servers in over 94 countries worldwide, you can enjoy your favorite South Korean content anytime, anyplace.


Top privacy features


For a start, ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands – a country known for great privacy laws, so you don't have to worry that any of your data will get exposed or seized by the government or third parties. On top of that, the company regularly invests in top-notch security features such as:



What's more, Express uses the most advanced security solutions to ensure your data never gets into the wrong hands, like TrustedServer technology that consists entirely of diskless RAM-only servers (unable to store any data after being switched off).


Super-fast South Korean servers


We run VPN speed tests three times a day, and Express regularly enters the top 5 of the fastest VPNs in the world. So if you're passionate about streaming, downloading, gaming, or any other data-intensive activity, you don't have to worry that your connection will slow down. In fact, it can even help to bypass bandwidth throttling!


A user-friendly interface



ExpressVPN, despite offering the highest level of speed and expertise, remains one of the most user-friendly VPNs in the market. A well-organized and intuitive interface, combined with the one-klick connection button, is there to make each of your connections quick and simple. Express is more expensive than the rest of the providers on this list. However, you get what you pay for: a world-leading VPN that keeps investing in the quality of its service to provide its users with the safest and fastest VPN experience.


In addition, you get a list of customizable features to satisfy even the most experienced VPN users and up to 5 simultaneous connections for all your devices. While this isn't as many as the other providers listed, that's still enough for the whole family to connect. Best of all, you can try all these features and customization out without risking a single penny – with the ExpressVPN 30-day money-back guarantee.

NordVPN offers lots of great features, and plenty of servers in South Korea. It has strong encryption, a no logs policy, and we were able to unblock most streaming services.

  • Pricing

    • 24 months + 3 months FREE: $3.69/mth
      70% OFF
    • 12 months: $4.99/mth
      59% OFF
    • 1 month: $11.99/mth
  • Pros

    • More than just a VPN - comes with ad and malware blocking
    • Accepts Bitcoin for anonymous payments
    • Good value-for-money
    • Over 10 servers in South Korea
  • Cons

    • No cloaked servers in South Korea
    • Only 6 simultaneous devices
    • No port-forwarding - not ideal for torrenters
  • Speeds

    • 58.69 Mbps
  • Logging policy

    • Anonymized
  • Available for

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Website

Nord Demo

Nord Demo Nord Demo


NordVPN is one of the privacy leaders with plenty of servers that will enable you to unblock South Korean content from anywhere. With its extensive set of features and affordable price, Nord is always a popular choice among the world's top providers.


Bypassing geo-restrictions



Whether you're looking to stay in touch with the latest international news or you want to stream your favorite South Korean tv show while abroad with NordVPN you'll be spoiled for choice with servers. Nord offers over 5100 servers in more than 60 countries to choose from, 10 of which are in South Korea – making all of your favorite content available at any time.


Besides, similarly to Express, Nord regularly performs well on all our speed tests, so you don't have to worry about facing interruptions or difficulties while streaming your favorite content. Lightning speed, coupled with advanced security features, allows you to access restricted South Korean content from anywhere and in no time.


Privacy leader


NordVPN is based in Panama, a country with excellent privacy laws and a government with no spying tendencies. Therefore, Nord isn't obliged to keep any users' activity logs and will have nothing to hand over to the local authorities, even if served with a warrant.


Nonetheless, NordVPN uses the strongest encryption and even launched its very own VPN protocol – NordLynx. Based on WireGuard, it offers the latest and greatest security without compromising on speed. Plus, there is an extensive set of advanced security features to make sure you can bypass all geo-restrictions and none of your data gets exposed.


Features to match


NordVPN offers plenty of highly customizable features to make you feel at home, regardless of on which continent you're staying, including:



As a bonus, you can forget about those weary of annoying ads and dangerous malware, as Nord comes with a unique CyberSec feature that blocks all of them. With a starting price of less than $4 and a 30-day money-back guarantee, all these advanced features are well worth putting to the test, especially since there's nothing to lose.

Surfshark offers an extensive network of servers, and comes with unlimited connections and state-of-the-art security features.

  • Pricing

    • 24 months + 2 months FREE: $2.3/mth
      83% OFF
    • 12 months: $3.99/mth
      70% OFF
    • 1 month: $12.95/mth
  • Pros

    • Stealth servers in South Korea
    • Outstanding value-for-money
    • Unlimited simultaneous connections
  • Cons

    • MacOS users will have fewer features
    • Not as fast as Nord or Express
    • Single-month price is expensive
  • Speeds

    • 56.10 Mbps
  • Servers in Korea?

    • Yes
  • Logging policy

    • Anonymized
  • Available for

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Website

Surfshark Demo

Surfshark Demo Surfshark Demo


Surfshark is one of the best value-for-money providers we recommend for unblocking the variety of content in South Korea. I'm a big fan of the customization of its features and the unlimited connections that it offers, all for a couple of bucks a month.


Servers where you need them


Surfshark has servers in over 65 countries, including South Korea, to give you access to your favorite streams,like Kakao TV or HBO Asia. While it is slightly slower than Nord and PrivateVPN, Surfshark is fast enough to support all your data-intensive activities without slowing you down (including streaming and gaming).


Another great advantage of these servers is that they come with camouflage (cloaking) and OpenVPN protocol to ensure the highest privacy levels while surfing. Besides, Surfshark offers a Smart DNS service, which is very convenient for those who wish to connect their Smart TVs and PS5 to the service. Conveniently enough, you can find all the necessary guides for these setups on Surfshark's official website.


State-of-the-art features


Surfshark, even though a much younger and cheaper service provider than Express or Nord, manages to amaze me each time I use it or test its features. Among my favorite are:



Unlimited connections for all your devices



Surfshark is compatible with Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and even Linux OS, so you don't have to worry about which of your mobile devices you can use with it. Surfshark was also one of the first VPN providers to remove limitations on how many devices you can connect simultaneously – a relief for those among us with hordes of devices to protect.


Surfshark is very easy to use. It comes with an intuitive layout and built-in guides, so you'll bet a VPN afficionado in no time, even if it's your first time using a VPN! It's also one of the cheapest VPNs on the market, and with a 30-day money-back guarantee, it's well worth a try.

PrivateVPN continues to impress us with its advanced privacy features, a great selection of server locations, and very low prices.

  • Pricing

    • 36 months: $2/mth
      84% OFF
    • 3 months: $6/mth
      50% OFF
    • 1 month: $9.99/mth
      17% OFF
  • Pros

    • Perfect for beginners
    • A cheap VPN for South Korea
    • Over 200 locations to choose from (including South Korea)!
  • Cons

    • A smaller array of servers than the likes of Express and PIA
    • No ad or malware blocking
    • Slower than Express and Nord
  • Speeds

    • 23.64 Mbps
  • Logging policy

    • Anonymized
  • Available for

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Website

PrivateVPN Demo

PrivateVPN Demo PrivateVPN Demo


PrivateVPN is among the most affordable high-quality VPN services on the market, and has over 200 server locations all around the globe. It unblocks any content worldwide with absolute privacy, saving you a small fortune each time. Its interface is very elegant, pleasant to the eye, and easy-to-use.


Cheap but very private


PrivateVPN is based in Sweden, a country that is ranked third in the world for its press freedom standards by Reporters Without the Borders. Besides, Sweden has outstanding privacy laws, ensuring that all your internet activities are both free and secure.



PrivateVPN, on its end, applies a very strict zero-logs policy, making sure that none of your browsing data gets saved. In addition to this, Private is equipped with most privacy features that companies like Express and Nord offer, such as stealth servers that help you pass unnoticed by the South Korean government and a kill-switch, but for just a fraction of their price.


Unblock any website you can think of


With Private, not only you'll get access to over 16 different Netflix regions, but you get to unblock any similar streaming platform very easily. So, whether you are a BBC iPlayer or HBO Max fan, you won't have any issues accessing the greatest variety of their libraries worldwide.


Even the most exclusive apps like USA TODAY and Pandora become available to you in South Korea, thanks to over 12 strong servers in the USA. PrivateVPN's servers are also consistently fast, and so PrivateVPN regularly enters our top 10 fastest servers list. It's a company that offers very impressive features for this kind of price list.


VPN for everybody


We tested PrivateVPN with Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac, and we concluded that it works flawlessly on all operating systems. This means you won't have any issues surfing and streaming, whether in South Korea or during your travels, regardless of which devices you've brought along.


You can also connect up to ten devices simultaneously – so you can protect every device in your household on a dingle subscription. I've used PrivateVPN for Torrenting, and never been disappointed. It's an excellent all-in-one service for the price. Plus, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, just like the other providers on this list; so you run no risk in trying it out for yourself and seeing how it compares to the competition.

5. VyprVPN

VyprVPN is a great all-round VPN for South Korea. It has excellent security features and has been audited by a third-party to prove it's secure.

  • Pricing

    • 12 months: $5/mth
      50% OFF
    • 1 month: $10/mth
  • Pros

    • Has had a full, independent third-party audit of its no-logs policy
    • Vypr's proprietary Chameleon protocol is excellent for evading censorship
    • Very fast and secure due to own infrastructure
  • Cons

    • Not as fast as Nord or Express
    • No multi-hop VPN functionality
    • Feweer servers than other leading VPNs
  • Speeds

    • 21.93 Mbps
  • Servers in Korea?

    • Yes
  • Logging policy

    • Anonymized
  • Available for

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux

VYPR Demo

VYPR Demo VYPR Demo


VyprVPN is an excellent choice for surfing, streaming, and downloading a great variety of content in South Korea. Having passed one of the strictest independent audits in the history of VPNs, it offers a plethora of features, all designed to maximize your online security and privacy.


Unblock your favorite content in South Korea with confidence


VyprVPN has servers in over 70 locations around the world, while this is less than Express or Nord, it's more than enough to unblock a variety of Netflix, HBO Asia, or any other streaming libraries you can think of. The speed of servers is quite good too, they are only slightly slower than those of Surfshark, so you won't face any issues while downloading large files in South Korea.


Best of all, all these VyprVPN servers are owned by the company itself, so you can browse and stream confidently without worrying that any third party (servers-renting company) may access your data. What's more, you can connect up to 30 of your devices simultaneously, a limitation that is very hard to exceed.


Customizable features


VyprVPN is another VPN that you can count on for customization of the service. Here's what features you can expect from Vypr:



Verified security



VyprVPN is based in Switzerland, which is presently a solid location for a VPN to be based. Not only that, but it's probably the only VPN service that has ever publically shared results of its independent no-logs policy audit, and in so much detail.


It's also one of the few VPNs that claims to listen to customers' feedback before making any changes. VyprVPN is, therefore, great for security-conscious users in South Korea.

How to get a South Korean IP address 

By using one of the providers listed, you can get a South Korean IP address and access content that is only available within the country.

Get South Korean IP in these four easy steps

  1. Sign up to either ExpressVPN or Surfshark, as they both have servers in South Korea.
  2. Download and install the app for your device. These services all have apps for popular devices.
  3. Open the app and connect to a server that is based in South Korea.
  4. Now open your browser and navigate to the South Korean websites you want to unblock. If it doesn't work, clear your cache and try again.

That's it. You will now be able to unblock South Korean services!

What can I unblock with a South Korea VPN?

Use a VPN for South Korea to unblock porn

Since 2008, most pornographic websites have been blocked by the South Korean government. While some of these sites are still accessible, and social sharing isn't uncommon, porn is still difficult to access in South Korea. Luckily, since a VPN can make you appear in a different location, you will be able to unblock any website without any issues.

Access blocked streaming services

A more general benefit of using a VPN in South Korea is that it gives you access to streaming media services in other countries. These services try to block people from outside their service area from viewing their content due to contract requirements.

A VPN gets you around these blocks by letting you connect to the streaming media servers using a VPN server located in an allowed country.

The streaming services try to prevent this, but the VPNs on our list are able to get around those restrictions.

What features does a South Korea VPN need?

There are hundreds of consumer-facing VPNs on the market, but they were not all created equally. Some services are slow, others do not provide the high levels of privacy you need. Below, we've provided a list of all the features we searched for when making this list of the best VPNs for South Korea:

Improve your online privacy with a South Korea VPN

The government in SK tries to maintain traditional values. That means they do not like people visiting websites that cover topics like pornography, gay rights, or even social media sites where you can comment without their control.

A South Korean VPN (a VPN that works well in South Korea) can protect you against the government's snooping. The VPN will disguise messages going to and from your computer so that the censors can't read them. All they will be able to tell is that you are using a VPN (which so far remains legal in South Korea).

Can I use a free VPN for South Korea?

Most free VPN services are not safe to use because they collect their users' data and sell it to third parties to create a revenue stream. In addition, these free services often have poor or out-of-date encryption, and problems such as data leaks that render them unsafe to use. Studies have even found that depreciated free services often contain spyware and adware, so it's vitally important to do your research before downloading one.

Take a look at our free VPN page for a list of services that we recommend. These services do not snoop on their users, and they all have secure apps that provide watertight levels of online privacy and so they are completely safe to use.

However, please bear in mind that the VPNs we have recommended have certain restrictions. This means that you can only use those free services a limited amount of time each month, and you do not get as many server location choices as you do when subscribed to a premium VPN plan. Click on the link above to find out more.

There are plenty of Cheap VPN providers out there that will provide strong encryption, fast servers, and unblock geo-restricted services.

What services can I unblock with a South Korean VPN?

The VPNs we have recommended in this article have servers located worldwide to let you unblock geo-restricted services. Our recommendations will also allow you to bypass any blocks implemented by ISPs on behalf of the government. Below, we have included a list of the things you can do with a VPN in South Korea:

Can I access Korean and Japanese TV services with a VPN?

Yes. With a VPN you can connect to a VPN server in South Korea from overseas. This will give you a valid IP address there so that you can watch popular TV shows while traveling overseas. This is perfect if you are on vacation - or even if you have moved to live in Japan permanently.

Below, we have included a list of Korean services that you can access by connecting to a VPN server in South Korea:

  • Netflix Korea 
  • Naver TV
  • Viki
  • Wavve
  • Tving 
  • Kakao TV
  • Seezn
  • Pooq
  • Oksusu
  • U+Mobile TV

In addition to accessing Korea services from abroad, you can also use a VPN to access international services in Japan. For example, you can connect to a server in the US to watch Netflix or Hulu, and a server in the UK to watch BBC iPlayer. 

As many people in Korea are interested in accessing Japanese streaming services, we have included a list of platforms that you c an access with a VPN below. If you want to watch any of those platforms in Korea, simply connect to a VPN server in Japan.

  • Netflix Japan
  • Hulu Japan
  • Amazon Prime Video Japan
  • AbemaTV
  • dTV
  • U-Next
  • FOD
  • Paravi
  • WOWOW
  • TVer

What online content is restricted in South Korea?

In South Korea, the government restricts certain types of online content. This includes pornography, gambling, pro-North Korea content, unrated console games, and illegal films. These restrictions are enforced by the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC). If you try to access such sites, you'll likely be redirected to a warning page. Despite these restrictions, South Korea still has a high level of internet freedom, with a diverse online ecosystem and limited self-censorship.

How we pick the best VPNs for Korea - VPN testing methodology

Searching for a VPN that is reliable and secure can lead to confusion. There are dozens of competing services on the market and they all have similarities. Unfortunately, some VPNs are willing to deceive consumers to sell subscriptions. This makes it easy to pay for a VPN that is lacking.

At ProPrivacy we want to help consumers in South Korea to find the perfect VPN. To achieve this, our experts compare market-leading VPN providers across many different categories. Our VPN testing methodology lets us confidently grade VPNs and list them from best to worst.

As part of our review process, we check the security that a VPN provides. We test for DNS, IP, and WebRTC leaks to be sure the VPN is performing as it claims to give you online privacy. We also check the reliability of the encryption and ensure that the VPN is fast and versatile enough to provide you with online freedom in South Korea.

Below, we have included some of the important features we looked for when recommending the best VPNs for South Korea:

VPNs for South Korea Conclusion

Despite the government's best efforts to control what people say and do online, choosing the right VPN for South Korea will let you evade the government's controls. It will also provide lightning-fast connection speeds to ensure you can do data-intensive tasks online.

However, you need to be sure that the VPN you chose is secure and reliable enough. Don't take a chance on a substandard VPN. Use one of the best VPNs for South Korea and stay safe while enjoying truly free internet. 

Once again, here are our top picks:

From $6.67/month

The best VPN for South Korea. It unblocks everything, has strong privacy features, and it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

ProPrivacy TrustScore:
10 out of 10
Simultaneous connections
8
Server locations
160
Free trial
No

From $3.69/month

The best mid-range VPN. It has many servers in South Korea, it's great at unblocking content, and it's super fast.

ProPrivacy TrustScore:
9.9 out of 10
Simultaneous connections
6
Server locations
84
Free trial
No

From $2.30/month

The best value-for money VPN – with lots of handy features and obfuscated (stealth) servers for South Korea.

ProPrivacy TrustScore:
9.8 out of 10
Simultaneous connections
Unlimited
Server locations
140
Free trial
Yes

From $2.00/month

The best cheap VPN for South Korea, and it's really user-friendly – making it great for beginners.

ProPrivacy TrustScore:
9.7 out of 10
Simultaneous connections
10
Server locations
200
Free trial
No
VyprVPN

From $5.00/month

A great mid-range service that has great apps and has been independently audited.

ProPrivacy TrustScore:
9.6 out of 10
Simultaneous connections
10
Server locations
70
Free trial
No

The best VPNs for South Korea – FAQs

Written by: Ray Walsh

Digital privacy expert with 5 years experience testing and reviewing VPNs. He's been quoted in The Express, The Times, The Washington Post, The Register, CNET & many more. 

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