The 8 Best K-Drama Apps in 2024

EdgeOne-Product Team
Spt 19, 2024

What is K-Drama?

K-Drama refers to Korean dramas, which are television series produced in South Korea. K-Dramas are known for their high production values, compelling storylines, and talented actors. They cover a wide range of genres, including romance, comedy, action, thriller, and historical dramas, among others. K-Dramas are popular not only in Korea but also in other countries, including China, Japan, and the United States, where they have gained a large following. 

The 8 Best K-Drama Apps

1. Viki

Viki is a popular streaming platform that offers a wide range of Korean dramas, Korean Movies, Korean Variety Shows, KPOP Award Shows,  and much more,  with subtitles in multiple languages. It also provides access to a vibrant community of fans who contribute to subtitle translations.

Key Features:

  • Access to thousands of subtitled Asian dramas, TV series, variety shows, and movies in 150+ languages.
  • Offers a community-powered subtitle translation feature.
  • Available on multiple platforms, including web, mobile, and TV.
  • Provides a free version with ads and a premium version without ads.

2. KOCOWA

KOCOWA is a premium streaming service that provides access to a wide range of Korean dramas, variety shows, and K-Pop content. It offers English subtitles and is available in the United States and Canada.

Key Features:

  • Offers a wide range of Korean dramas, variety shows, and K-Pop content.
  • Provides access to exclusive content from three major Korean broadcasters: KBS, MBC, and SBS.
  • Known for its high-quality streaming and user-friendly interface.
  • Offers a free trial period and a monthly subscription fee.

3. iFlix

iFlix is a subscription-based streaming platform that offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, and original content from different countries such as Korea, Japan, China, and the United States. It is available in over 20 countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, and provides subtitles in multiple languages.

Key Features:

  • Offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, and original content from various countries, including Korea, Japan, China, and the United States.
  • Available in several countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
  • Provides subtitles in multiple languages.
  • Offers a free trial period and a monthly subscription fee.

4. OnDemandKorea

OnDemandKorea is a free streaming platform that offers Korean dramas, variety shows, and movies. It provides English subtitles and is available in the United States and Canada.

Key Features:

  • Offers a wide range of Korean dramas, variety shows, and movies.
  • Provides access to live TV channels from Korea.
  • Available in the United States and Canada.
  • Offers a free version with ads and a premium version without ads.

5. Viu

Viu is a streaming platform that offers Korean dramas, variety shows, and movies with subtitles in multiple languages. It is available in several countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.

Key Features:

  • Offers a wide range of Korean dramas, variety shows, and movies, as well as content from other Asian countries.
  • Provides access to a download feature for offline viewing.
  • Available in several countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.
  • Offers a free version with ads and a premium version without ads.

6. KBS World

KBS World is a streaming platform that offers Korean dramas, variety shows, and news programs with English subtitles. It is available worldwide and provides access to content from the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS).

Key Features:

  • Offers a wide range of Korean dramas, variety shows, and news programs with English subtitles.
  • Provides access to content from the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS).
  • Provides access to live TV channels from Korea.
  • Provides a free version with ads and a premium version without ads.

7. Dramacool

Dramacool is a free streaming platform that offers Korean dramas, variety shows, and movies with subtitles in multiple languages. It provides access to a large library of content and is available worldwide.

Key Features:

  • Large library of Asian dramas, movies, and TV shows.
  • Subtitles available in multiple languages.
  • Offers a download feature for offline viewing.
  • Completely free to use.

8. Netflix

Netflix is a global streaming platform that offers a wide range of Korean dramas, movies, and documentaries. It provides subtitles and dubbing in multiple languages, making it accessible to a global audience.

Key Features:

  • Large library of Korean dramas, movies, and documentaries.
  • Offers a download feature for offline viewing.
  • Provides access to exclusive content and original productions.
  •  No free trial period and offers a monthly subscription fee.

5 Popular K-Dramas to Watch

1. Reply 1988

A coming-of-age drama about a group of friends and their families living in a neighborhood in Seoul in the late 1980s.

Where to Watch: Netflix, Prime Video

2. Crash Landing on You

A romantic comedy about a South Korean heiress who accidentally lands in North Korea and falls in love with a North Korean soldier.

Where to Watch: Netflix

3. Healer

A romantic thriller drama about a messenger who solves people's problems and a young reporter who uncovers a web of corruption and conspiracy.

Where to Watch: Viki, Netflix, KOCOWA

4. Lovely Runner

A top star ends his life, his top fan somehow ends up at a time when they were in high school and tries to protect him.

Where to Watch: Viki, Netflix

5. Signal

A crime thriller about a detective who communicates with a detective from the past through a mysterious walkie-talkie to solve cold cases and prevent crimes.

Where to Watch: Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, Tubi

How Tencent EdgeOne Optimizes the K-Drama Viewing Experience?

Tencent EdgeOne provides an exceptional media experience on a global scale. Ensure your business can enjoy smooth video streaming even during peak hours or on weak networks.

1. Global Coverage

EdgeOne boasts over 3,200 edge nodes across 70+ countries and regions worldwide, with a bandwidth capacity of 200 Tbps+. This ensures smooth, uninterrupted playback during peak user activity, delivering a stable, seamless, and rich viewing experience.

2. Deliver stutter-free playback

EdgeOne supports QUIC protocol transmission, which can transfer more data with a lower bandwidth, enabling high-quality data transfer even under poor network conditions with a high packet loss rate and network latency, ensuring smooth playback and real-time interaction of audio and video.

3. Reducing costs

EdgeOne provides instant transcoding capability generates and delivers transcoded content instantly upon user request, faster than traditional methods. Users only store original files, eliminating transcoded files and significantly reducing storage costs.

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