A VPN is the easiest way to overcome internet restrictions in and outside South Korea. Though many claim to be the best for the country, few are actually good. After testing over 30 VPNs, I found only 7 that work well in South Korea, while ExpressVPN proved to be the best. ExpressVPN has top-grade features to keep your online activities secure from hackers and hidden from other third parties and firewalls. You can get ExpressVPN for South Korea risk-free, and if you’re not satisfied, you can easily claim a refund within 30 days. Get ExpressVPN for South Korea
Quick Guide: Best VPNs for South Korea
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Best VPNs for South Korea in 2023
1. ExpressVPN — #1 VPN for South Korea With TrustedServer Technology to Protect Anonymity
Key Features: ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer technology prevents your data from being stored when using the internet in South Korea. It ensures no one can hack into, spy on, or leak your sensitive information because it doesn’t exist. PwC audited the technology and found it supports ExpressVPN’s no-log policy. Other ways ExpressVPN protects your privacy and security include:
Military-grade 256-bit encryption that’s near-impossible to hack into or spy on your online activities in South Korea Perfect Forward Secrecy changes the encryption keys regularly to stop hackers from eavesdropping on your conversations and activities A kill switch that avoids data exposure if your internet connection becomes unstable in South Korea IPV6, DNS, and WebRTC leak protection keeps all your online traffic within the encrypted tunnel to hide your actual location in South Korea Located in the British Virgin Islands which isn’t part of any international surveillance agencies that request your browsing history in South Korea Accepts anonymous payment using Bitcoin
With speeds averaging between 98-110Mbps, ExpressVPN is also the fastest VPN among those I tested. It can support all your high-bandwidth activities like streaming, gaming, and video calling. It took me 20 minutes to download a 4Gb public domain Korean documentary on BitTorrent. This, despite connecting to ExpressVPN’s server in South Korea, 3,000 miles away from where I was in Kuala Lumpur. ExpressVPN’s lightning-fast speeds are due to its proprietary Lightway protocol, which is fast and secure. It also supports OpenVPN and IKEv2, but I got the fastest connection with Lightway. It’s more efficient and lighter, with just 2,000 lines of code compared to OpenVPN’s 70,000. Your battery will also last longer with Lightway when using your smartphone in South Korea. With servers in over 94 countries, ExpressVPN is able to unblock regional content anywhere you are, whether you’re in South Korea or traveling abroad. The servers in South Korea, for example, unblocked a fan-favorite Korean TV series, Hospital Playlist, on Netflix KR in under a minute. ExpressVPN also accessed many other international streaming services and South Korean TV channels like: It took me less than 5 minutes to install ExpressVPN on my iPhone and Windows computer. It has apps for all major operating systems, including Android, and you can install them on up to 5 devices simultaneously in South Korea. If you need more, just install the VPN on your router and all the devices connected to the network will be secured. ExpressVPN is the only VPN with apps for routers so it’s easy to set up even if it’s your first time. This is a premium VPN, and the price reflects that with the cheapest option being the 1-year plan for $6.67 per month. But I think it’s worth the cost because you can rely on ExpressVPN to keep your online activities private, unblock South Korean dramas abroad, and provide fast connections for 4K streaming. The VPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can get ExpressVPN for South Korea with complete peace of mind. Rest assured, this is not an empty promise because ExpressVPN reimbursed me within 5 days when I asked for a refund via its live chat. Get ExpressVPN for South Korea
2. CyberGhost — Optimized Gaming Servers Unblock PUBG in South Korea
Key Features: CyberGhost has optimized servers to play games in South Korea like PUBG and Manhunt 2. The servers in Germany, the UK, the US, and France also provide IP addresses in respective countries to unblock many other games. This is useful when traveling to South Korea or other countries with local versions of games. Besides gaming, CyberGhost also has optimized streaming servers for Netflix KR. You’ll be able to access your Netflix account in Korea instantly, with just one click — no matter where you are. This is a huge time saver when you just want to watch your favorite show and not try several different servers to find one that works. However, both CyberGhost’s optimized and regular servers can unblock local South Korean and international streaming services like: When streaming on Netflix Korea, the speed topped out at 73Mbps on CyberGhost’s optimized server. It’s not as fast as ExpressVPN, but it was enough to watch Insider in UHD without lags. The optimized gaming servers in France also delivered a latency of around 40ms when I played Lost Ark. Due to the low latency, I had smoother gameplay and experienced no delays during combat. I also recommend this VPN for South Korea because CyberGhost prioritizes online security and privacy in several ways:
WiFi protection makes sure your device doesn’t randomly connect with unsecured South Korean public WiFi networks without the VPN activated Leak protection hides your IP address in Korea from losing opponents to prevent them from sabotaging your game with a DDoS attack Located in privacy-friendly Romania that’s not part of the 14 Eyes Alliance that shares your online activities in South Korea with other third parties A no-log policy which was audited by Deloitte to prove none of your online activities in South Korea is stored anywhere Military-grade 256-bit encryption to keep your identity hidden when using the internet in South Korea
You can secure up to 7 devices in South Korea with CyberGhost. Since all major operating systems have native apps, you don’t need to do manual configurations. It took me less than 3 minutes to install the app on my Windows computer. But if you run into any problems, CyberGhost’s 24/7 live chat agents are super helpful. If you’re ready to get CyberGhost for South Korea, I recommend the 2-year + 3 months plan for the best value. It costs $2.11 per month and comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee — one of the longest in the industry. When I asked for a refund via live chat, I got my money back within a week. Get CyberGhost for South Korea
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — MACE Blocks Malware When Browsing the Internet in South Korea
Key Features: PIA has MACE to block malware, ads, and ad trackers to protect your privacy in South Korea when using the internet. I also found ad-heavy news sites like Hankyoreh loaded faster on my Android phone and used less data since the ads and trackers were gone. MACE also didn’t load a suspicious link from a scam email I had received, keeping me safe from phishing attempts. Another reason I like this VPN is that PIA allows you to customize many security and privacy features to suit your needs in South Korea. For example:
Military grade 256-bit encryption with maximum security when accessing your KakaoBank account and 128-bit cipher with optimized speed for streaming A standard kill switch and an advanced option so that you don’t automatically connect to the internet before PIA starts running WireGuard gave me the fastest speed second only to ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol, but you can also choose OpenVPN and IKEv2 PIA owns private DNS servers, but you can also customize them to improve speed or web filtering capabilities
I was also pleasantly surprised by PIA’s speed on long-distance servers over 3,000 miles away. When I connected to a server in Japan for a Google Meet, I experienced no frozen screens or delay in audio throughout the 2-hour conference call. Local servers in Malaysia gave me a speed of 62Mbps which was more than enough to stream movies in HD. To use PIA in South Korea, download the correct app for your device and install it. Although you can do this for every compatible device, you can only connect Unlimited to PIA at the same time. I tried using 6 simultaneously and didn’t experience any dropouts. PIA’s only minor con is that it doesn’t have servers in the country, despite having the largest network on this list. This means it can’t block any South Korean content. But PIA has plenty of servers in the region in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other popular countries like the US. These can access: PIA ranks among the most affordable VPNs with the 2-year + 3 months plan costing just $2.11 per month. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to give you peace of mind when you try PIA in South Korea for the first time. I sent an email with my PIA order number and got my money back within 2 weeks. Get PIA for South Korea
4. NordVPN — Premium VPN With Cheap Prices on Long-Term Plans
Key Features: NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market — and you can get super cheap prices when you sign up for a long-term subscription. One thing to note, however, is that when it’s time to renew your subscription, prices do increase quite significantly. I did, however, have issues with using NordVPN’s native Fire TV app. Although it worked and unblocked some streaming services, it sometimes had issues unblocking Netflix US and kept crashing. I also found that NordVPN’s user interface for desktop devices was less user-friendly than ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. NordVPN has the following security and privacy features:
AES 256-bit encryptionkill switch that cuts your internet access if your connection to a VPN server drops suddenlybuilt-in ad and malware blocker, so you don’t need a third-party ad blockerfully audited no-logs policy (audited by PwC) – NordVPN doesn’t store any personal or identifying data while you’re connected to the VPN
In addition, NordVPN includes Threat Protection that protects you from viruses, infected websites, and trackers – and it works whenever you have the NordVPN app open, even if you’re not connected to a VPN server. With plans that cost as little as $3.49 per month, it’s easy to find a NordVPN subscription plan that suits your needs. You can also stream, torrent, and browse for free for up to 30 days with its money-back guarantee. I tested this to ensure that you’ll really get your money back. At first, the support team tried to give me an extended trial period — but they initiated my refund right away after I told them I wasn’t interested in the extension. I got my money back in 6 business days. Get NordVPN today NordVPN works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Chromebook, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Fire Stick, and Android TV
5. Surfshark — Best Value for Money with Unlimited Device Connections and Fast Speeds
Key Features: Surfshark offers the best value for money out of every premium VPN on the market. You can connect an unlimited number of devices with a single subscription, which means you can use Surfshark on all your devices without getting logged out. I tested Surfshark’s simultaneous connections on 2 PCs, 2 phones, a Fire Stick 4K, and an iPad. My connection remained reliable on all 6 devices. Even while I was actively streaming on all my devices, my average speed was 112 Mbps — fast enough for UHD quality. When I saw the price of this service, I thought it couldn’t possibly have top-grade security features for such a low price, but I was pleasantly surprised. Surfshark has the following security and privacy features:
AES 256-bit encryption on all devices, with ChaCha encryption available for Android usersWireguard VPN protocol enabled by defaultdiskless, RAM-only servers to protect your privacy (no data can be physically extracted from any servers)kill switch (although this isn’t enabled by default)IP and DNS leak protection
Surfshark offers two-factor authentication (2FA) on your account. This feature requires you to enter an extra code before you can log in to ensure that only you can access your account. While Surfshark does have slightly fewer global servers than rivals such as CyberGhost and PIA, I didn’t experience any issues during my tests. I easily connected fast working servers every time, and I had excellent speeds for streaming Netflix in UHD, downloading torrents, and browsing the internet. You can try Surfshark for yourself with the 30-day money-back guarantee. It has plans that cost as little as $2.39. Requesting a refund is easy with Surfshark’s live chat feature. Although the support team asked why I wanted to cancel my subscription, I had no problem getting my money back (and it only took 4 days!). Get Surfshark today Surfshark works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Linux, Fire Stick, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, Android TV, Kodi, and selected routers
6. PrivateVPN — Stealth Mode Prevents Detection by VPN-Blocking Firewalls in South Korea
Key Features: PrivateVPN has Stealth Mode to avoid triggering VPN blockers in South Korean sites and other online services. Many streaming platforms like Netflix and countries like China have firewalls that block VPN connections to restrict content within certain regions. PrivateVPN’s Stealth Mode obfuscates VPN traffic so that it’s not recognizable to these firewalls. In addition to this, PrivateVPN also hides your connection from cyber spies and hackers with these security and privacy features:
Military-grade 256-bit encryption prevents hackers from stealing your data A kill switch that automatically disconnects the internet when your hotel WiFi becomes unsteady IP leak protection stops streaming sites from finding out your real location in South Korea No-log servers don’t store your private data and risk theft
The VPN also supports torrenting on all its servers, including the ones in South Korea and it’s compatible with most P2P clients. Although I was worried about my privacy when downloading legal torrents, PrivateVPN’s SOCKS5 proxy kept me safe. It hid my actual IP address from hackers who could’ve masqueraded as peers in the network when I downloaded a public domain documentary with BitTorrent. With servers in countries like Japan and Taiwan, PrivateVPN can access regional content like Japanese anime while you’re on holiday. The servers in the US, UK, and South Korea were also able to unblock these streaming channels during tests: Compared to other VPNs, PrivateVPN has a small network of just 200+ servers. So, I expected the US and UK servers to be crowded and slow, but they were fast. The servers in the US were almost 10,000 miles away, but I still got an excellent speed of 58Mbps to play PUBG without delays. PrivateVPN also had no problems coping with PUBG Mobile in South Korea, offering smooth gameplay for over 3 hours. Considering PrivateVPN’s features, the 3-year plan is quite a bargain at just $2.00 per month. It’s also one of the best monthly VPNs if you’d like to try it out without committing long-term. All the plans also have a 30-day money-back guarantee that I personally verified, so you can get PrivateVPN for South Korea confidently. When I sent an email asking for a refund, I got my money back within 2 weeks. Get PrivateVPN for South Korea
7. IPVanish — Secure All Your Devices at the Same Time in South Korea
Key Features: IPVanish is the only VPN I tested for South Korea that offers unlimited connections. Once set up, you don’t have to decide which devices stay connected and get confused over which ones to reconnect. When I secured 8 devices, my connections remained stable despite using all of them for high-bandwidth activities like video calling, streaming, and downloading files. The VPN also has 23 global SOCKS5 proxy servers. They don’t offer the same security as a VPN when torrenting, but they do hide your IP address from other peers. Plus, I could download documentaries without copyright restrictions 3X faster on BitTorrent. IPVanish doesn’t have a proxy server in South Korea, but you can use one in Japan or Singapore. During tests, IPVanish also delivered great speeds for streaming by averaging 55Mbps on a South Korean server. Despite being located far away, it connected instantly, and the connection was smooth. This kept episodes of the Korean drama Missing: The Other Side streaming lag-free on Netflix Kr. Thanks to IPVanish’s 2,000+ servers in over 75 countries, these local and global streaming services could be unblocked: Additionally, IPVanish’s servers in South Korea unblocked PUBG Mobile (Kr) easily. If you’re traveling to South Korea, its servers worldwide also unblocked the game in other regions like Japan and Taiwan. The only issue I found with IPVanish is that it doesn’t accept cryptocurrency payments. But this is only a minor con for me as I prefer the credit card and PayPal options IPVanish has. If you’re ready to try IPVanish for South Korea, I recommend the 2-year plan. For just $3.33 per month, you’ll also get VIPRE antivirus for more protection. All the plans also come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, which you can be sure is legitimate. I initiated the refund by canceling the service through my account, and it was processed automatically with no further inquiries. A week later, I had my money back. Get IPVanish for South Korea
3 Easy Steps to Get an IP Address in South Korea
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How to Choose the Best VPN for South Korea
I used several different criteria to test all the best VPNs in 2023 to choose the top 5 for South Korea:
Strong security and privacy features — At a minimum, the VPN should have military-grade 256 encryption and an audited no-log policy to prevent cybercriminals and other third parties from getting your personal data when you’re using the internet in South Korea. Global server network — The more servers a VPN has, the more options you have for reliable connections that won’t slow down your speeds from crowded servers. I checked for VPNs with servers in South Korea and neighboring countries. Fast speeds — All VPNs reduce your connection speeds, but if it’s so slow that you can’t watch videos, download files, or play games, it’s not practical. So when testing your VPN for South Korea, see if it at least reaches 25Mbps. Apps for popular devices — Apps avoid manual configurations that take time, so I only picked VPNs that have native apps for popular operating systems in South Korea, like Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Customer support — Whether you’re in South Korea or traveling elsewhere, you want your VPN’s support team to be available in your time zone. 24/7 live chat support is essential when you need technical help solving a problem.
Get ExpressVPN for South Korea Try CyberGhost for South Korea Other versions of the game that are also geo-restricted include PUBG Mobile Japan and PUBG Mobile Taiwan. The original PUBG is also blocked in South Korea. Fortunately, all PUBG mobile versions can be accessed from anywhere with the VPNs on this list, as they have global servers, including South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Malaysia. When I checked, PUBG’s Terms of Service didn’t mention VPNs or the consequences of using one to change your location. But some users have claimed they were banned from the game after using a VPN. The Terms of Service for PUBG Mobile Japan and Korea make it clear that they’re off-limits to players outside the region. But it can also be risky as some free VPNs install malware to harvest your data, steal bandwidth, or monitor your spending habits in South Korea. The worst offenders sell your data on the dark web for someone else to use your identity to commit crimes. In the meantime, the free VPN provider makes money. That’s why you should use a premium VPN like CyberGhost to protect you in South Korea. The 30-day money-back guarantee gives you enough time to try its features without risk, and when you no longer need it, it’s easy to get a refund.
Get a VPN (That Works) for South Korea Today!
A good VPN will help access all the favorite K-dramas on geo-restricted platforms when traveling. It’ll also help unblock games and sites that are blocked in South Korea. But the best VPN will also keep your data secure and prevent malicious third parties from misusing them. After rigorous testing, I recommend ExpressVPN for South Korea as it has an audited TrustedServer technology to keep spies away from your sensitive information. Plus, it has exceptionally fast speeds. On top of that, it can unblock most of the popular online services. As the VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can get ExpressVPN for South Korea completely risk-free. If you’re not satisfied, you can easily get a full refund.
