After testing more than 30 VPNs, ExpressVPN tops my list because of its blazing-fast speeds and excellent unblocking capabilities for lag-free K-drama streaming. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee — if you don’t like it, you can easily get a full refund. I submitted my refund request via its 24/7 live chat and got my money back 4 days after. Watch Korean dramas with ExpressVPN
Quick Guide: 15 Best DramaFever Alternatives for Korean Dramas
Stream Korean dramas with ExpressVPN
15 Alternatives to DramaFever to Watch K-Dramas in January 2023
1. Drama cool
Dramacool has an extensive library of original and exclusive Korean content — you’ll find most (if not all) of your favorite dramas here, from Asian classics to the latest releases. I was also happy with its clean and organized interface as soon as I visited its website. It has a quick navigation bar at the top, which lets you browse dramas and movies by category and stars. The Drama Calendar feature stood out the most. It tells you which episode of which drama aired on TV so that you’re up-to-date and can stream on Dramacool easily. Dramacool is free, but like all other free streaming sites, it’s ad-supported. Although I prefer ad-free streaming, seeing a 30-second ad every 15 to 20 minutes wasn’t too bad.
2. iQIYI
iQIYI is a Shanghai-based online streaming service with an extensive library of Asian content, including Korean shows and movies. It has a Netflix-like easy-to-use interface where you can browse shows based on your interests. You can select your genre with the “Browse” button, but you won’t find a genre of Korean content. I searched “Korea” in the search bar to get all the Korean-based movies and shows. Note that some shows are listed as “VIP” and are only available for paid users. I streamed a non-VIP show, and it showed me 4 20-second ads at the start but none while streaming.
3. saw
Viu is available for streaming in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and some countries in the Middle East. With a popular viewer base of over 36 million active users. The Hong Kong-based service is geo-restricted to the following countries:
East Asia — Hong Kong Southeast Asia — Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand Middle East — Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE Africa — South Africa
Viu is a free but ad-supported streaming platform, but I was happy that all the ads appeared before and not during streaming. If you don’t want ads at all, you can sign up for Viu premium to stream your favorite Asian dramas non-stop and without ads. I was also impressed that it supports subtitles in multiple languages, including English, Bahasa, Burmese, Mandarin, and Arabic.
4. Rakuten Viki
Rakuten Viki is among the best platforms to stream Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and other Asian content. You can stream on its website or download its app on your phone. It has native apps on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast, and Roku. What impressed me the most was that many of its movies and shows were available in over 200 languages with multiple subtitles. While you can stream on Viki for free, most of the free content is only available in SD quality. Subscribing to the paid Viki Pass gives you access to a more extensive content library and HD streaming without ads. Unfortunately, not all Asian dramas, movies, and shows are available to viewers around the world. Some content is geo-restricted to certain countries. For example, the popular show The Heirs is restricted to European countries, while Medalist Lawyer Heir is available outside Europe as well. Go to Rakuten Viki.
5. Kshow123
Kshow123 is another popular streaming site exclusively for Korean TV shows and dramas, including Finding Genius, Running Man, Knowing Brother, and more. I liked that most shows have English subtitles, but there’s no option for browsing shows by category. You can only choose from the “Latest,” “Popular,” and “Rated” categories. Streaming on Kshow123 was challenging — every time I hit the play button, a pop-up ad opened in another tab. This happened multiple times before I could finally stream content. Therefore, the user experience isn’t all that great, but you can stream Korean TV shows on Kshow123 for free.
6. OnDemandKorea
OnDemandKorea is an excellent alternative to Dramafever because it airs hundreds of Korean shows and dramas, irrespective of whether they’re currently airing on TV or have finished. Apart from having an extensive library, you can stream on OnDemandKorea without signing up or creating an account, which I found really convenient. I was also impressed to see that the website was not flooded with pop-up ads. From finding the show I wanted to watch to streaming it, I didn’t get any ads opening in new tabs except the ones in the media player itself. Overall, I was quite happy with my experience with OnDemandKorea. The only catch with OnDemandKorea is it’s only available in North and South America. Therefore, it can’t be accessed without a reliable VPN outside those regions. Lastly, OnDemandKorea’s free library is quite extensive, but you’ll have to subscribe to its premium plan to access the full catalog.
7. iFlix
iFlix is a Malaysia-based streaming service with over 10,000 hours of international content, including K-dramas and movies. The streaming service is available for free but also has a premium option if you’d like to stream without ads. I didn’t get many ads while streaming and was happy that I could stream in 1080p HD. iFlix’s user interface is easy-to-navigate, so I had no trouble searching for the Korean drama I wanted to watch. You can also adjust the streaming speed, an option I haven’t seen on many sites except YouTube.
8. KOCOWA
KOCOWA is a premium video streaming service geo-restricted to North and South American countries, including the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Puerto Rico, and more. It hosts a range of Korean dramas and TV shows available for free, and you don’t need to sign in or create an account to stream. I was impressed by KOCOWA’s Netflix-like user interface — I prefer this over a regular website interface with multiple pop-up ads. KOCOWA works on Android devices, iPhones, iPads, Chromecast, and even some smart TVs. If you’re located in the US, then this might be the best choice for you, as the most current Korean Variety and K-Pop shows are streamed in high quality and with English subtitles just six hours after airing. You can stream some shows for free and access the full catalog with a paid subscription.
9. ViewAsian
ViewAsian has an extensive library of free East Asian and Southeast Asian content, including Korean dramas and shows. You don’t need to sign up or create an account to stream — simply head over to its website and start streaming your show. I was impressed to see that it has dozens of genre categories, some of which I haven’t seen before, like Bromance, Espionage, and Artificial Intelligence. As far as streaming goes, I wasn’t totally satisfied with the streaming experience. While I appreciate not seeing ads on the website, ads popped up in 2 new tabs when I hit the play button. However, it wasn’t too annoying as I didn’t get ads while streaming.
10. AsianCrush
AsianCrush is a big name in the K-drama industry. It has a well-distributed network of satellite, cable, VOD (video-on-demand), and broadband and contains an extensive library of Korean movies and shows you can watch on Android, iOS, AppleTV, and Roku devices. There are plenty of genres to choose from — martial arts, horror, anime, and much more. While it’s an excellent alternative to DramaFever, AsianCrush is only available to stream in the US and Canada. Although most of its content is available for free, some titles are only reserved for premium users. So, if you need access to AsianCrush’s full catalog, you’ll have to sign up for the premium subscription. I appreciate that there are no pop-ups on the website, and they don’t open up in new tabs when you click the play button. All ads are embedded inside the media player. I got a 1-minute ad before my episode started and after every 15 to 20 minutes of streaming, which isn’t bad if you can stream for free.
11. NewAsianTV
NewAsianTV is a free-to-use streaming service that works anywhere. It has an extensive library of Asian shows and movies, neatly categorized into Korean, Thai, Taiwanese, Chinese, and more. While its user interface is a bit more outdated, I didn’t have any problem searching for the K-dramas I wanted to stream. The ads appeared at the beginning but not while I was streaming.
12. Netflix
Everyone knows what Netflix is but many might not know that it has a decent library of Korean TV shows. My personal favorite is Squid Game, but there are others as well, like All of Us Are Dead, Crash Landing on Your, Kingdom, Money Heist Korea, Sweet Home, and many more. Netflix keeps adding new content to keep its catalog fresh, and it may keep adding top Korean dramas and shows to some of its libraries. The only thing I’d have liked to see on Netflix is a genre solely dedicated to Korean content — that would’ve made it easier to find Korean shows on the platform.
13. Hulu
Hulu is a well-renowned competitor of Netflix, with plenty of Korean dramas and movies in its catalog. It’s a paid streaming service but geo-restricted to the US only due to licensing restrictions. I streamed Oh My Venus in HD without buffering. Its user interface is intuitive and beginner-friendly. Since Hulu is a paid service, you won’t get ads at all while or before streaming.
15. Pipes
While Tubi doesn’t have an extensive library of Korean dramas and shows, it does have some content you may want to watch. When I searched for “Korean dramas” in the search bar, I got 7 results, but I was happy that all of them were Korean content. You don’t have to sign in or create an account to stream on Tubi. I appreciate that, but the quality doesn’t go any higher than 720p, which isn’t enough for an avid streamer like me. Though the overall streaming experience was close to perfect, I hoped TubiTV would’ve had more Korean content in its catalog.
Bonus Sites and Apps for K-Drama Content in 2023
MyDramaList — Find New Shows and Where to Stream Your Favorite K-Drama
If you’re looking for a particular title and want to know where to stream it, MyDramaList should be your first stop. For instance, if you want to watch The Heirs, a quick search will show where the drama is available for streaming and whether it’s free or not. When you create a profile (for free), you can create custom lists to track what you want to watch and what you’ve already seen. Search for new dramas and see what others are streaming, along with ratings and reviews.
Dramabeans — Best Site for K-Drama Recaps of Shows
Dramabeans is a fan forum and recap site for the biggest and best (new and old) Korean dramas. It provides detailed recaps of your favorite shows, including most miniseries from the big 3 networks — KBS, MBC, and SBS. The site also features ratings, making it easier to decide what to watch next.
How a VPN Helps You Watch Korean Dramas From Anywhere
Many DramaFever alternatives (including the ones I listed) are geo-restricted to certain countries. That means if you don’t reside or are currently present in those countries, you can’t access the respective platforms — at least not without a VPN. An IP address is a string of characters specific to your device that lets the streaming platform know your real location. The best VPNs mask your IP address behind a virtual one from another country. This makes your streaming platform think you’re in the country it works in. However, not every VPN can access K-drama streaming platforms or support lag-free streaming. After testing dozens of popular VPNs, I picked ExpressVPN as my #1 choice because it provides blazing-fast speeds even on distant servers. All its servers are designed for streaming, so you’ll have no speed and quality drops while watching your favorite K-dramas. Watch Korean dramas with ExpressVPN
The Best VPNs to Watch Korean Dramas in January 2023
1. ExpressVPN — Blazing-Fast Speeds for Streaming K-Dramas Without Interruption
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for streaming Korean dramas in HD. It lets you stream K-dramas, shows, and movies from all reliable streaming sites. I tested it first-hand and could access and stream on all the DramaFever alternatives without buffering. You’ll be able to stream The Inheritors (The Heirs) in HD on Netflix. Throughout my tests, ExpressVPN gave me lightning-fast speeds even on distant servers. The maximum speed drop I got when I connected to the most distant server in Australia was a meager 5% — that’s insignificant and allows HD streaming without any interruptions. With over 3000 servers in 94 countries, including Southeast Asia, ExpressVPN has excellent unblocking capabilities. My test results showed that it’s the best VPN to access geo-restricted Korean shows and dramas anywhere in the world. Not only that, it can access nearly all other major streaming platforms, such as: You can use ExpressVPN on up to 5 devices simultaneously. It works on all major platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. You can also set it up on your smart TV or router. Furthermore, its DNS spoofing MediaStreamer feature lets you stream some services on incompatible devices like a PS4 and Xbox. Keep in mind that MediaStreamer only works with US-based platforms and some UK services. ExpressVPN’s monthly plan can be a bit expensive so I recommend its 1-year plan, which offers a 49% discount and is available for as low as $6.67 per month. The best part is that you can buy ExpressVPN in confidence as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re unsatisfied with its performance, you can claim a full refund. I submitted my refund request via its 24/7 live chat and got my full refund within 4 days. Stream Korean dramas with ExpressVPN
2. CyberGhost — Optimized Servers for Buffer-Free Streaming of Korean Content
CyberGhost’s streaming-optimized servers make it one of the best VPNs for watching K-shows. Each of these servers is optimized for streaming on a particular platform. For instance, a server designed for Netflix will deliver a lag-free experience for streaming on Netflix. As far as performance is concerned, CyberGhost delivers excellent speeds on nearby and mid-range servers. In my tests, I got speed drops of up to 8% and 13% when I connected to a nearby server in Canada and a mid-range one in the UK, respectively. However, when I connected to a distant server in Australia, my connection speeds were reduced by 22%, which may be a problem if you don’t have a fast enough internet connection. Besides offering excellent speeds, CyberGhost can access all the Korean drama sites I listed above and more, including the following: The only aspect where CyberGhost surpasses ExpressVPN is that it allows 7 simultaneous device connections. I used CyberGhost on my Windows laptop, Macbook, iPhone, iPad, and Android phone, and still had leftover device connections. I suggest subscribing to CyberGhost’s 2-year + 4 months plan to get the highest discount of 84% and a low price of $2.03 per month. You can test CyberGhost for yourself risk-free because it provides a 45-day money-back guarantee on all its plans (except the monthly plan). I submitted my refund request via email and got my money in 5 days. Stream Korean dramas with CyberGhost
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Vast Server Network for Unblocking Korean Content From Anywhere
PIA has a massive network of over 35000 servers for easy access to K-drama platforms. Many of the K-drama sites are geo-restricted to Asian and Middle Eastern countries, but accessing them with PIA shouldn’t be a problem as it has dozens of servers in countries in the Eastern hemisphere. Aside from being 1 of the best VPNs for Netflix US, PIA can also access the following services: Throughout my tests, PIA gave me fast speeds on nearby servers but didn’t perform as well on distant servers. I downloaded a 10GB file via uTorrent and found that PIA’s distant server in Australia extended the download time by almost 20% compared to just 8% on the closeby server in the US. My favorite feature is PIA’s integrated ad blocker, which gets rid of annoying ads on ad-heavy sites like Kshow123. Since it stopped ads from loading, webpages and episodes also loaded much quicker. Unfortunately, the ad blocker couldn’t stop mid-show video ads from loading on free streaming services. PIA supports a maximum of 10 simultaneous device connections and works with all major platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. It also works with some routers, smart TVs, and gaming consoles. You can subscribe to PIA’s 1-month, 1-year, or 2-year + 4 months plan. Buying the monthly plan would cost you more, so I recommend the 2-year + 4 months plan, which comes at a very affordable price of $2.03 per month. Like the other 2 contenders on my list, you can try PIA risk-free with its 30 money-back guarantee. Claiming my refund was simple — I submitted my refund request via email support and got my money back in 5 business days. Stream Korean dramas with PIA
How to Watch Korean Dramas From Anywhere With a VPN
Watch Korean dramas with ExpressVPN
Where can I watch K-Dramas without ads?
To watch your favorite K-dramas ad-free, you’ll need to sign up for a premium subscription with Rakuten Viki, OnDemandKorea, or KOCOWA. Most streaming sites on my list let you watch K-dramas for free, but like all other free streaming platforms, they’re ad-supported.
Can I watch K-Dramas for free?
Yes, you can watch K-Dramas for free on Dramacool, iQIYI, Viu, Rakuten Viki, and many more. However, most of them are ad-supported. Free streaming sites make money through ads, so it’s nearly impossible to find one that’s not ad-supported. Some sites have ads all over the website, whereas others only display them on the media player. To escape the ads, you can use the 14-day free trial for KOCOWA+ to get a premium, ad-free subscription. If you’re not in North or South America, you can take advantage of CyberGhost’s generous 45-day money-back guarantee to try it free. Then, you’ll be able to binge-watch full episodes of The Heirs (without ad breaks), without spending a cent!
What has replaced DramaFever?
DramaFever has plenty of alternatives, but my favorite is Dramacool. Apart from having an extensive library of Korean dramas, shows, and movies, Dramacool has a clean and intuitive user interface. It also doesn’t show many ads, providing a relatively uninterrupted streaming experience.
What is the best website to watch Korean dramas?
Dramacool is the best website for watching and downloading Korean dramas, including Yonder, Bad Prosecutor, and The Golden Spoon. Subtitles are available in English, Korean, Taiwanese, and Cantonese, and you can download episodes for offline viewing. Plus, it’s free and has fewer ads than other free platforms.
Where can I watch Korean dramas with English subtitles?
While most of the top platforms on my list support English subtitles, I prefer Rakuten Viki because it has subtitles available in more than 200 languages. Other good platforms that support English subtitles include Kshow123 and KOCOWA.
Can I watch Korean dramas with a free VPN?
Yes, but I recommend that you use a premium VPN. After several hours of testing, I picked the best VPNs for streaming Korean dramas. They provide fast speeds for buffer-free streaming and protect your anonymity at all times with top-notch security features. While there are some reliable free VPNs you can use to stream Korean dramas, you’ll still face some issues. Most free VPNs have a small server network, poor unblocking capabilities, and overcrowded servers that won’t provide enough speeds for buffer-free streaming. Enjoy Korean dramas with ExpressVPN
Start Watching K-Dramas From Anywhere Today
Since most K-drama sites with an extensive library are geo-restricted to certain countries, you can’t access them without a VPN. But not every VPN has the same unblocking capabilities. Using a premium VPN is the best and easiest way to not miss out on your favorite Korean dramas and shows. After rigorous testing, I picked the top 3 VPNs that offer reliable K-drama streaming. ExpressVPN came out on top because of its ultra-fast speeds, allowing 4K streaming. It also has unparalleled unblocking capabilities that can get past all geo-blocked K-drama sites on my list. You can buy ExpressVPN in confidence as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee — if you aren’t satisfied, you can claim a full refund. I tested its refund guarantee firsthand — I submitted my refund request via 24/7 live chat and got my money back in just 4 days.
