Korean dramas, also known as Kdramas, have taken the entertainment world by storm, gaining a huge fan base around the world. Thanks to its unique cultural representation of content, catchy themes and appreciable presentation, people cannot miss the opportunity to watch their favorite Kdramas even while traveling. However, accessing your favorite content is always difficult unless you know the right websites to navigate. To help avid Kdramas fans, this guide lists around two dozen free streaming websites where you can watch all your favorite Kdramas without any hassle .
Kdramas have become popular due to their excellent story, production quality, and attractive leads. This has caught the attention of South Koreans and international viewers. Unfortunately, there is no way for overseas viewers to watch the latest Kdramas on TV channels. Therefore, people often turn to streaming services like Netflix to watch Kdramas online as it is popular and legal. However, it is a paid platform that not everyone can afford to subscribe to.
However, there are better places to access Korean content without copyright issues. Also, you can stream many Kdramas and TV series for free on these sites. They also offer various subtitles in different languages, such as English and Spanish subtitles, which is very considerate for people who don’t understand Korean.
Looking for places to watch Kdramas online with English subtitles? We have compiled a list of the 23 best free online Kdramas websites to watch in the year 2023.
Table of Contents
Quick List of Top Ten Websites to Watch Kdrama from Anywhere in the World
Here is a summary of the ten best options to watch Kdramas online if you are in a hurry:
- Viki : The number one website for downloading royalty-free Kdramas. It also has free Korean movies with subtitles in English and other languages.
- Kocowa : Excellent for watching Korean content, including K-pop, variety shows, anime, and dramas with good quality English subtitles.
- Dramacool : A great site to access Korean dramas along with Chinese, Taiwanese and Japanese soap operas. It regularly updates its database with new dramas and stories.
- KissAsian : Allows you to watch Kdramas according to their categories, such as action, romance, and thriller. It also shows popular Hollywood movies.
- Dramago : Watch a wide range of Korean content on this website. Allows easy and free download.
- Dramanice : Has visually appealing graphic descriptions to attract Kdramas fans from all over the world. Hosts dramas in HD quality and with fast streaming.
- NewAsianTV : The perfect site to watch quality Korean, Japanese and Asian dramas. It has a user-friendly interface.
- KShow123 : Offers access to the latest Korean dramas or shows with English subtitles.
- MyAsianTV : It has many movies, series and programs from Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, etc. The site features an easy-to-navigate interface.
- Netflix : Hosts over 150 Korean movies and shows with licensed selections like “Mr. Sunshine” and “The Glory.”
Best Korean Drama Websites: The Detailed List
Thanks to their international appeal, Kdramas have had a great following abroad. Furthermore, the popularity of K-pop artists such as BTS and Blackpink has also contributed to the fame of Kdramas.
As a result, numerous streaming services are now showing Korean content to meet the demand of viewers abroad. The websites mentioned below are all legal streaming services that host Kdramas with proper licenses.
Without further ado, here is a list of the best sites to watch Kdramas online with English subtitles.
Pro Tip : Many sites are only available in specific countries. And if you use the free ones, they can endanger your security. In both cases, we recommend using a quality VPN like ExpressVPN to safely unblock legal Kdramas websites from any country.
1. Viki
- Price : Free and Premium
- Site URL : viki.com
Rakuten Viki, or simply Viki, is a popular site for watching Kdramas both in Korea and abroad. With over 35 million views per month, Viki offers movies for everyone. It has a wide selection of Kdramas, allowing you to discover, watch and enjoy shows in over 200 languages.
On Viki, you can watch and download Kdramas like Hotel Del Luna, Boys Over Flowers, Doom at Your Service, and Taxi Driver. The platform also broadcasts some live shows from Korea.
A highlight of this Kdramas site is its curated content section. This way, you can easily find the Kdrama of your choice. Surprisingly, it has a similar interface to Amazon Prime Video. So if you like watching movies on Amazon Prime Video, you will find Viki suitable.
The website also serves as a forum to interact with other Kdramas lovers. You can create an account, host viewing parties, and stream your favorite drama with other users. It even includes a “learning mode” that provides dual subtitles in English and Korean.
Viki is available on Apple TV , Android TV, Roku, Chromecast, FireTV, web browsers, and mobile devices.
On the downside, it has too many pop-up ads, which can be frustrating. But you can opt for their paid streaming option to watch dramas ad-free and in high definition.
2. Kocowa
- Price : Free and Premium
- Site URL : kocowa.com
Kocowa focuses on Korean content, from K-pop and Korean sports competitions to Kdramas and animes. You can literally watch a variety of Asian content on the service. This site has over 18,000 hours of Korean television, including True Beauty, The Penthouse and Midnight Cafe.
Unfortunately, Kocowa is only available in North and South America, including Canada, the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and other countries. If you reside outside of these countries, you will need a reliable VPN to access the website.
Organize dramas into niche categories like action, romance, or horror. Kocowa requires users to create an account to access programs from SBS, MBC, KBS and other content partners.
You will appreciate its “Taste24HR” feature, which allows you to watch Korean dramas and movies for free immediately after they air in South Korea. The service has subtitles in Spanish, Portuguese and English for all its programs. However, the site does not support video downloading services, so you will need third-party tools to download movies from the site.
Kocowa is available on desktop, tablets, mobile devices and laptops. You can also get its dedicated app on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
3. Dramacool
- Price : Free
- Site URL : dramacool.co
Dramacool, formerly known as Dramafire, is a great service for streaming a lot of KShows, dramas and movies from Korea, Japan and other Asian countries. It allows users to download Korean dramas for free. Thanks to its interface, navigation between dramas and movies is easy.
Dramacool regularly publishes newly released shows. Unlike most free Kdramas sites, it shows high quality videos and good sound. As a Kdramas lover, you cannot ignore this site because it has a vast catalog of old and new dramas with English subtitles.
4. KissAsian
- Price : Free
- Site URL : kissasian.li
KissAsian is a classic website to watch the latest Korean dramas. This service has a large library of Korean, Chinese and Japanese movies. Its intuitive user interface makes it easy to find any drama, KShow or movie.
The best part about this service is that it strategically places some ad units in your layout. This way, you won’t have to worry about accidentally clicking on ads. On KissAsian, you can watch Korean shows like Love Alarm, Jumong, Flower of Evil, Secret Garden, and Squid Game.
5. Dramago
- Price : Free
- Site URL : dramago.icu
Next on our list is Dramago. This website is great for watching the best Korean dramas for free. It shows many categories, allowing you to find Kdramas with a particular story. This also saves you the time you may spend searching for movie titles.
In the streaming player, you have a download button that shows different quality options. Therefore, you can download movies in the video quality you prefer. Fortunately, all of their servers have excellent download speeds. We downloaded a roughly 400MB episode during our test in three minutes.
The service is available on mobile devices, web browsers, laptops, desktop computers and laptops.
6. Dramanice
- Price : Free
- Site URL : dramanicetv.co
Dramanice is your one stop site to download Kdramas for free in high quality. It is similar to Dramacool except it has a beautiful design that attracts users. The service has an extensive collection of Kdramas. You can watch old and new Kdramas on this service, but not all dramas have subtitles.
Their search function works excellently. For example, you can search for your favorite drama from A to Z. Additionally, its streaming player offers options to set download speed and quality.
However, one problem with Dramanice is that it changes its domain frequently, making it difficult to find the right site. Recently, it acquired a new domain name, moving from Dramanice.one to Dramanicetv.co.
7. NewAsianTV
- Price : Free
- Site URL : newasiantv.in
Are you looking for a Kdrama site with a complete collection of popular KShows and Kdramas? Try NewAsianTV. As the name suggests, this website is a hub for all Japanese, Korean and other Asian dramas.
It is perfect for watching Kdramas for free as it allows you to download movies in 1080p. The interface is easy to use. A highlight of this website is its “Switch Off Light” feature, which allows you to dim everything except the streaming player.
This site does not allow users to download movies directly. Fortunately, there are third-party applications that can help you.
Unfortunately, NewAsianTV is not available in some countries. Therefore, you will need a VPN to access its content.
8. KShow123
- Price : Free
- Site URL : kshow123.tv
KShow123 is your best choice to download the latest Korean Kdramas online. This service updates your library in real time. Additionally, you can watch Korean anime on the site. Shows recently added Kdramas along with their ratings.
The website opens instantly on any device. Stream the best Kdrama shows like The Doctors, Voice, Itaewon Class, My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, Crash Landing on You and Oh My Venus. The downside of KShow123 is that it has a cluttered interface with multiple ads.
9. MyAsianTV
- Price : Free
- Site URL : myasiantv.cx
MyAsianTV is another great website to download Korean dramas online. With it, you can access content from China, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan. It allows you to search for dramas using filters such as title, genre, country, popularity, and year.
The website is very simple and has a fast download time. MyAsianTV also shows your top Kdramas picks for the day, week, and month. This allows you to stay up to date with popular dramas.
It features high-quality Kdramas such as Twenty-Five Twenty-One, All of Us Are Dead, Business Proposal, and Attorney Woo Young Woo.
Unlike other Korean drama sites, it shows upcoming movies and dramas. This way, you can create a playlist of exciting dramas.
10. Netflix
- Price : Premium
- Site URL : netflix.com
Netflix is a leading streaming site with many movies including Kdramas. It has more than 150 Korean shows and movies. This website made famous Kdramas like The Glory, Alchemy of Souls and Squid Game.
It has many Korean drama genres for you to explore, from romance to horror. To watch your favorite Kdrama, simply search for “Korean drama.” From there, you’ll find simplified categories like “Friendship Kdramas,” “Kdramas for Beginners,” and “Historical Kdramas.”
Every show on Netflix has English subtitles, including Kdramas. With this service, you can be sure that all the Kdramas you watch are completely legal. Netflix is available worldwide and you can subscribe to its basic plan to enjoy unlimited content.
11. Tubi
- Price : Free
- Site URL : gdpr.tubi.tv
Watch Korean movies without subscription on Tubi. This website has over 200 Kdramas in its library, from films from the Joseon era to the year 2022. And you know what? They are all free.
Tubi has a simple and easy to use interface. Instead of searching the site for a particular movie, you can use its “Title” filter to find the movie you prefer. Although most Kdramas on this service have English subtitles, many are English dubbed titles.
This Korean drama site also gives you the option to include subtitles. Through this, you can improve your Korean vocabulary.
12. Hulu
- Price : Premium
- Site URL : hulu.com
Hulu is a streaming service that can rival Netflix when it comes to Kdrama. In addition to Korean movies, you can watch old classic shows and sitcoms. However, their Kdramas collection is small.
This website has no pop-up ads. Therefore, you can immerse yourself in your favorite Kdrama without distractions. Hulu is available on Android and iOS devices. The best part about this site is that it offers a one-month free trial.
On the other hand, it is available in most regions and offers movies in HD quality.
13. VIU
- Price : Free
- Site URL : viu.com/ott
You can enjoy non-stop Kdramas on your phone with Viu. This website has a dedicated native app that offers Kdramas for free. It is one of the safest and most trusted sites for Kdramas. Viu has no errors and does not require creating an account to access its platform.
Finding Kdramas on this site can be difficult because it does not have a search bar or navigation menu. Viu is available only in 16 Asian countries; Therefore, you will need a VPN to access its content from abroad.
Some popular dramas on this service include Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo, My Love From Another Star, The King: Eternal Monarch, and Descendants of the Sun. The site updates its database regularly.
14. Amazon Prime Video
- Price : Premium
- Site URL : primevideo.com
Amazon Prime Video has a wide selection of online Kdramas for its subscribers. Here you can download your favorite Korean drama with English subtitles for free. You can access this site on your mobile device, Smart TV or computer, which means you can enjoy Kdramas in the comfort of your home or on the go.
However, compared to other prominent Korean drama sites, Amazon Prime Video’s library is small. To access the content, you will need to subscribe to the service. Take advantage of the “Group Watch” feature to watch your favorite Kdrama together with other Prime Video users.
Finding Kdramas online on this site may require some searching, as it combines movies and TV series in one list. You can also watch movies offline with Amazon Prime Video to save mobile data.
15. AsianCrush
- Price : Free and Premium
- Site URL : asiancrush.com
AsianCrush is a great website to satisfy your daily dose of Kdrama. It has numerous Korean series, most of which can be downloaded for free. This site hosts content from Japan, South Korea, and China. You can browse their library using genre, country, on-demand listings, and title.
You’ll appreciate its random button when you’re not sure which Kdrama to watch. AsianCrush also displays ratings next to each drama title. Some popular titles on the site include Mr. Sunshine, Hospital Playlist, The K2, and When the Devil Calls Your Name.
The downside to this streaming service is that its content is only available in North America. Therefore, it is ideal that you use a VPN to watch AsianCrush. This way, you can ensure your online security and privacy while watching AsianCrush on your mobile device, Apple TV, computer, or Roku.
16. Fdrama
- Price : Free
- Site URL : fdrama.net
Fdrama is popular for its fast rise of Kdramas. The site doesn’t offer a great user experience, but it is a good option for Kdramas enthusiasts looking for the latest shows. It is available on televisions, mobile devices and computers. You can also access it through the web browser.
Clicking on a movie title redirects you to a streaming page, which is a third-party domain. This streaming page allows you to download subtitles.
Like YouTube, you can turn subtitles on and off by clicking the “CC” button. As a beginner, navigating this streaming service may require some effort.
17. YouTube
- Price : Free
- Site URL : youtube.com/k-drama
YouTube has the most extensive library of dramas from various countries, including Korea. While many legal websites that host Kdramas, such as Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu, are paid platforms, YouTube is free.
Plus, it’s one of the most convenient ways to watch Korean dramas online. It integrates perfectly with almost all devices. Search “Korean drama” or “full Kdrama series” to find your favorite drama. In addition to English subtitles, you can watch Kdramas with Arabic and Turkish subtitles. Some popular Kdramas on YouTube include Coffee Prince, Reply 1988, Fight for My Way, and Full House.
18. MyDramaList
- Price: Free
- Site URL: mydramalist.com
MyDramaList is the largest Asian culture network on our list. It has numerous movies and TV series online for Asian drama fans.
With this site, you can easily choose a Kdrama to watch as its main screen shows a list of shows that air weekly. Through their dedicated forum, you can connect with other Kdramas enthusiasts.
19. Soap2Day
- Price : Free
- Site URL : soap2day.rs/home
Soap2Day hosts Kdramas with impressive video quality. It has a wide selection of movies. Additionally, you can stream content or download it directly from the website.
While watching Korean content on this service, you’ll enjoy fast, stutter-free downloads. You can quickly search for the drama title or filter it by genre.
20. iQIYI
- Price : Free and Premium
- Site URL : iq.com
iQIYI is an over-the-top service that mainly shows Chinese movies. Fortunately, it has good Korean titles for you to watch. Most videos have subtitles in several languages.
Additionally, you can subscribe to their VIP plan to access full content. Fortunately, iQIYI offers a “New Member” subscription for users who sign up for the first time. This costs less than a dollar.
21. ViewAsian
- Price : Free
- Site URL : viewasian.co
Of all the best sites to watch Kdrama, ViewAsian offers the best user experience. The user interface has a simple design and is similar to Hulu and Netflix. As the name suggests, you can watch any Asian drama of your choice on the platform.
The main screen shows a list of recently released Kdramas. Without registration, you can watch Kdramas with English subtitles. You can also sort content by genre or country on the site.
ViewAsian also offers content from other countries such as China, the United States, Japan, India, among others.
22. SolarMovies
- Price : Free
- Site URL : solarmovie.one
SolarMovies is another popular site to watch Kdramas online. It has the advantages of most of the best Kdrama sites, such as an intuitive layout, abundant Kdrama resources, and subtitle support.
This website shows Kdramas reviews and IMDB ratings. You can easily find your favorite Korean content with its search functions.
23. iFlix (WeTV)
- Price : Free
- Site URL : iflix.com/es/
iFlix is a fantastic site that shows numerous Asian movies, including Kdramas. Although its library is not exhaustive, you will be able to watch some Kdramas that will brighten your day. You can watch more content without ads by subscribing to their premium plan.
Currently, iFlix is available in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The Kdramas you can access on this site depend on your location. Therefore, you should use a VPN with iFlix to access more Kdramas.
Also Read: The Pros and Cons of Movie Streaming Websites
To watch Korean dramas online, for free, with English subtitles
If you have downloaded Kdramas from any of the best online sites for free but without English subtitles, there is a simple solution. We recommend using a video conversion application, preferably Wondershare UniConverter.
It is an easy-to-use video editor that allows you to add and edit movie subtitles without any hassle. With it, you can also compress videos and convert them to multiple formats.
Using Wondershare UniConverter, follow these steps to watch Kdramas online:
- Go to “OpenSubtitles” in your web browser.
- Search for the Kdrama title on your device.
- Download English subtitles.
- Open the Wondershare UniConverter app and press the Player button.
- Click the “Open File” tab to import the Kdrama.
- Click on the text icon.
- Click “Add Subtitle” to import the Kdrama English subtitle file.
- Now you can enjoy your Korean movie!
Why are KDramas so popular?
Korean drama is not something new in the world. It has been around since the early 1990s. Its recent popularity is due to its captivating and breath-taking content.
Below are the reasons that contributed to the trend of Kdramas:
- Attractive Leads : Most Kdramas have beautiful actresses and handsome actors who will keep you glued to the screen.
- Excellent Story : Korean dramas became popular because of their plot and scenes. Filmmakers and producers in South Korea avoid predictable plots to keep viewers in suspense. They usually introduce plot twists and moments of tension to make the drama worth watching. So it’s not surprising that most Kdrama fans can complete an entire season in just a few days.
- Rich Culture : Kdramas give international viewers a glimpse into life in Korea. Besides K-pop, there are other exciting things like Korean fashion, skincare, food, and places to visit. Some dramas like “Crash Landing on You” even show life in North Korea.
- Relatable Content : These dramas are very close to reality. Many of them portray social problems, such as mental health, government corruption, bullying, gender inequality, suicide and racism. Historical and family genres are also common in Kdramas.
- The Original Soundtrack (OST) : An original soundtrack of a Korean drama often accompanies the drama itself. Through the song, viewers remember and recognize a Kdrama they have already seen. Most of these OSTs are performed by K-pop artists and usually reflect the emotions shown by the characters in the film.
What are the classic titles I should watch?
- Descendants of the Sun (2016) (Genre: Romance, Melodrama)
- Vincenzo (2021) (Genre: Crime)
- Crash Landing on You (2019) (Genre: Romance)
- True Beauty (2020) (Genre: Slice of Life, Comedy, Romance)
- Hospital Playlist (2020 and 2021) (Genre: Medical, Comedy, Drama, Friendship)
- Hotel Del Luna (2019) (Genre: Dark Fantasy, Romantic Comedy)
Conclusion
Today, South Korea is one of Hollywood’s biggest competitors, standing out for its successful television dramas, music, fashion and beauty trends.
Therefore, it is not surprising that Korean dramas are highly addictive. You can experience a rich culture and learn many things by seeing them. Through Kdramas, many international viewers have learned Korean.
In addition, they are more suitable for all ages and countries than Western programs, since they are more appropriate for all audiences. For example, sexual content and nudity are practically non-existent in Kdramas. And the best thing is that it is easy to start watching them as they are available for streaming on various websites around the world.
In addition to numerous Korean content, such as Korean anime and K-pop, Kdramas have fueled the Korean “Hallyu” wave, which continues to spread around the world.
You now have over 20 sources to watch or download all the Korean drama content you want, mostly for free. We’ve listed paid options like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, but most options don’t require payment or registration.
Of the free sites, we recommend using only legal ones, such as YouTube or Viki: PrivacySavvy does not endorse or promote piracy of any kind. Also, some platforms like Vudu are not available worldwide, so you can watch dramas on them using a private VPN.
Also Read: What is a VPN, what is it for, and when to use it
Frequent questions
Here are some free websites and streaming services where you can watch Kdramas without frustrating ads:
1. Viki: By subscribing to Viki’s premium plan, you can remove intrusive ads and improve your viewing experience.
2. Hulu: You can enjoy Kdramas without ads by subscribing to their service for $6.99 a month.
3. Netflix: The basic plan of this streaming service allows you to watch Kdramas without ads.
4. Amazon Prime Video: You can explore Korean content on this site without advertising.
Where can I find English dubbed Kdramas?
The best sites to watch Kdramas have subtitles in several languages, including English, Portuguese, and Spanish. However, not all of them have English dubbed content. Some Kdramas sites have dubbed versions of some dramas, but the best place to find English dubbed Kdramas is Netflix.
Where can I download Kdramas with English subtitles for free?
The best Kdramas sites that allow you to download movies with English subtitles for free include DramaCool, MyAsianTV, Dramanice, KissAsian, and Dramago.
Why Are Multiple Kdramas Sites Shutting Down?
Not all websites with Kdramas host copyrighted content. With the increase in fans of Kdramas, several illegal sites have emerged to make profits. As a result, filmmakers and producers are taking strict action against illegal services that commit acts of piracy, including streaming, redistributing and downloading copyrighted content without permission.
How do I know if a Kdramas site is legal?
Film piracy remains a crime around the world. When searching for places to watch Kdramas, you may come across illegal websites that offer free content. Many legal sites have licensing and copyright agreements to show Kdramas. When you come across a dubious Kdramas site, you can check if it has a dedicated app. If it’s available on Roku TV, Apple Store, or Google Play Store, it’s legal. However, you can prioritize your security by using a reliable VPN.