The best ways to watch Korean dramas online for free

K-dramas have exploded in popularity over the last decade and we’ve settled in quite comfortably on that bandwagon. Now there are more dramas produced than ever before and we know you want to watch them all (well, all the good ones at least).

Korean dramas, also known as K-dramas, are television series originating from South Korea. They often feature strong storylines, colorful characters, and dynamic relationships. Many K-dramas have been popular around the world, garnering a large international fanbase. Korean dramas can range from comedies to tragedies, focusing on romance, family dynamics, and even criminal activities. Popular titles include Descendants of the Sun, My Love From The Star, and Boys Over Flowers.

Before your Korean drama marathon binge, there are a few streaming sites to choose from when it comes to Korean content. You can browse around to find some unlicensed sites, some more secure — others not at all. But if you want the best sites with decent subtitles & no worrisome pop-up ads, here are the top ones on the list so you can watch K-dramas online.

Viki

Let’s face it, Viki is one of the best, most reliable free drama streaming sites in the business nowadays. The site itself has a nice layout, good information on shows & actors, and fast access to good subtitles. Not to mention they have a huge library of not only Korean dramas but also Chinese, Taiwanese, and Japanese (as well as a few movies). 

There are of course those pesky — and extremely repetitive — ads that interrupt your drama watching, but there are no quality drama sites that let you watch for free without a few ads. If you want to cash in for the premium option, it’s only $4.99 a month. One of the easier ways to watch your favorite shows online.

KOCOWA

This streaming site has some selections for free content if you don’t want to pay for any subscriptions. KOCOWA is partnered with Viki for its Plus subscription package so if you want to pay a bit more you can get two sites for the price of one. 

KOCOWA doesn’t have the biggest library although it can boast a variety of genres such as reality shows, K-pop music videos, and award shows. And if you keep up-to-date with new dramas, the site has an offering called Taste24hr which allows all users to watch new content twenty-four hours after its release.

ViewAsian

This streaming site is more on the low-rent side of the spectrum. It has a large library of Korean, Chinese, and even Thai dramas, but it’s plagued with pesky pop-ups at every turn. Still, if you’re in a pinch, this site isn’t a bad one to check out. 

Netflix

Netflix is the most expensive option at $8.99 per month just for the basic plan. Netflix is a giant in the streaming industry but it would be fair to say it has a few duds in its original content selections. 

However, there are some truly superb K-dramas exclusive to Netflix that are must-sees like the beautiful & hilarious Crash Landing on You as well as one of 2019’s most beloved Korean drama, Love Alarm. If you’re willing to spend some money, Netflix has some of the best dramas you can find.

—

What’s your favorite Korean drama to watch online? Let us know how you watch K-dramas online in the comments.