When you are traveling abroad and want to access South Korean websites, it is necessary to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). By utilizing a VPN, you can gain direct access to South Korean web pages by routing your internet connection through servers located in various cities, including Seoul. This enables you to bypass geographical restrictions and connect to the desired online content from anywhere in the world. After testing over 30 VPNs, I found ExpressVPN excels due to its superfast speeds and TrustedServer technology. Try ExpressVPN risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re unsatisfied, you can get a full refund. Access South Korean sites with ExpressVPN
Quick Guide: How to Get a South Korean IP Address in 3 Easy Steps
Get a South Korean IP using ExpressVPN
How a VPN Helps You Access South Korean Websites From Anywhere
South Korea is strict regarding internet censorship, blocking pro-North Korea websites, Japanese websites, and pornography. With its cyber defamation law, the South Korean government can censor any comments it deems harmful, restricting freedom of speech. Additionally, South Korea enforces licensing agreements and copyright laws — resulting in region-specific blocks on streaming platforms and other media channels. To access the content you’ve paid for while abroad, you need a top VPN to get a South Korean IP address. A VPN sends your internet connection through its own servers, hiding your IP address and location. When you use a VPN with advanced security and privacy features, the South Korean government cannot see what you do or the websites you visit. This helps you to access sites like Kocowa and Netflix without restrictions. ExpressVPN is the best VPN for accessing South Korean websites and content, providing superfast speeds and advanced security features that ensure anonymity without affecting your browsing experience. Get ExpressVPN risk-free as it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee — if you’re unhappy, you can claim a full refund.
How to Choose the Best VPN for South Korea
When picking a VPN provider to access websites and content in South Korea from anywhere, you must consider:
Extensive server network — Ensure your VPN has a global network of servers, allowing you to get access to Netflix US and other platforms from anywhere. Advanced security features — Military-grade encryption, DNS & IP leak detection, and secure security protocols keep you anonymous and safe from cyber-attacks. Superfast speeds — When traveling far from home, you need superfast speeds to get the bandwidth required to stream content in UHD and browse without stuttering. Privacy — Strict no-log policies are essential when using a VPN, ensuring your data cannot be shared with third parties. Compatibility — Connecting all your devices is essential when traveling abroad, enabling you to protect your devices on the go.
The Best VPNs to Get a South Korean IP Address in 2023
1. ExpressVPN — The #1 VPN for South Korea With Superfast Speeds for UHD Streaming
Key Features: ExpressVPN provides superfast speeds, allowing you to browse South Korean websites without stuttering and stream content in UHD. I got speeds of 229 Mbps from a baseline speed of 275 Mbps, meaning I had just a 16% drop using the South Korean server. With high speeds, you won’t have to worry about lag or buffering and can gain fast access to South Korean content. Its reliable performance can be attributed to the fact that over 75% of ExpressVPN’s server network has been upgraded to new 10Gbps servers, giving faster speeds, a more stable connection, and regular improvements to its network. This is important when traveling abroad, as you’ll need optimal connections to access South Korean content without issues.
For $6.67/month, ExpressVPN ensures your protection with integrated security features, including:
TrustedServer technology — deletes all your data, ensuring third parties like hackers and your ISP can’t access it. Lightway protocol — for a reliable, secure, and fast VPN connection. AES 256-bit military-grade encryption — used by the US government to protect confidential information from prying eyes. DNS & IP leak protection — your IP address, DNS requests, and location are hidden to ensure access to South Korean sites from anywhere.
A South Korean server in Seoul ensures ExpressVPN provides reliable access to your favorite websites and platforms. With 3,000+ servers in 94 countries, ExpressVPN helps you access the following streaming platforms from anywhere: Unfortunately, ExpressVPN is expensive compared to other VPNs. But I found a great deal for you to get 49% off an ExpressVPN subscription, saving you lots of money without compromising your ability to access South Korean sites from abroad. To ensure you can get your money-back easily, I sent a message to ExpressVPN’s 24/7 live chat requesting a refund. In less than 5 minutes, the team accepted my refund and I received it within 5 working days. Try ExpressVPN risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee — if you’re unhappy, you can get a full refund. Access South Korean sites with ExpressVPN
2. CyberGhost — Streaming-Optimized Servers Provide Reliable Access to Netflix Korea
Key Features: CyberGhost provides a streaming-optimized Netflix server in South Korea, helping you get a reliable South Korean IP address. During my extensive tests of CyberGhost, I only experienced speed drops of around 20% on local servers, meaning that I could view South Korean websites and access my usual streaming platforms without any interruption or delay. With up-to-date VPN technology, CyberGhost gives you instant access to the following platforms: CyberGhost has the highest number of South Korean servers of any VPN on this list. This means you’re less likely to run into congestion issues while using its vast network of servers. If the server you pick is underperforming for any reason, simply switch to another in the same location to resolve the issue. Various security features protect you while using a South Korean IP address, including:
NoSpy servers — maintained by CyberGhost for complete privacy. Multiple security protocols — lets you choose between security and performance with IKEv2, OpenVPN, WireGuard, and L2TP/IPSec. Ad & malware blockers — to reduce the chances of clicking on malicious ads or visiting sites containing malware, protecting you from viruses, spyware, and more. Externally audited no-logs policy — Deloitte assures you that CyberGhost won’t collect personal data and share it with third parties like your ISP.
One downside is that the short-term plans are expensive compared to other VPNs on the market. That wasn’t an issue as CyberGhosts’s long-term plans are great value at $2.11/month. Also, you get a 45-day money-back guarantee with a long-term CyberGhost subscription, the most generous of any VPN. To check if you’re able to get your money-back, I emailed CyberGhost’s customer service team to request a refund. In less than 15 minutes, a response accepting my refund request was in my inbox. Download CyberGhost using its 45-day money-back guarantee. I tested the process by requesting a refund using live chat. The cancellation was approved right away. Access South Korean sites with CyberGhost
3. PrivateVPN — High-Quality Network (HQN) Servers Reduce Latency While Browsing Korean Sites
Key Features: PrivateVPN provides high-quality network (HQN) servers, giving you a South Korean IP address with superfast speeds and reduced latency. I experienced ping as low as 50 ms, meaning that you’ll be able to use PrivateVPN to access your favorite South Korean websites and streaming platforms without stuttering or high wait times. Examples of streaming platforms you can access using PrivateVPN include: With 1 server in Seoul, PrivateVPN helps you regain access to your usual South Korean content, even if you travel outside the country. Its Seoul server was reliable and gave me fast speeds during tests, with a drop from my baseline speed of 35%. This gave me 40 Mbps, more than enough to stream without lag.
You get top-of-the-range security with PrivateVPN, including:
Customizable encryption — you can pick between 128-bit or 256-bit military-grade encryption depending on the security you need. OpenVPN, L2TP, IPsec, PPTP, and IKEv2 security protocols — allow you to choose between security and performance. DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection — stops your DNS requests, IP address, and location from being visible to third parties like your ISP. Stealth VPN — obfuscates your VPN connection and hides it from third parties by making it look like a regular internet connection.
The only minor con I identified is that PrivateVPN has a small server network compared to other VPNs on this list. That said, each of its servers provides superfast speeds and can reliably access content — even in countries with strict internet censorship like South Korea. You can try PrivateVPN for just $2.00 per month without risk thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re unhappy, you can get a full refund back into your bank account without hassle. I emailed the support team to request a cancellation and had my money-back in just 3 days. Access South Korean sites with PrivateVPN
4. IPVanish — Get a South Korean IP Address on All Your Devices Simultaneously
Key Features: During extensive testing of IPVanish, I discovered unlimited connectivity allows you to get a South Korean IP address on all your devices. It’s easy to set up on each operating system, and only takes a couple of minutes to install. This means you can protect every device in your network, which is essential if you’re traveling and using public WiFi. With IPVanish, you get industry-leading protection in the form of:
Obfuscation technology — hides the fact you’re using a VPN. AES 256-bit encryption — makes it impossible for third parties to hack you. Strict no-logs policy — ensures all your data is regularly deleted and cannot be shared with your ISP or governmental organizations like the 5 Eyes alliance WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, IPsec, and L2TP VPN protocols — give you a wide range of the most secure options available.
IPVanish has 4 servers in South Korea, giving you a choice of servers to get a South Korean IP. But not only that, IPVanish has 2,000+ servers in 75 countries, perfect for you if you travel regularly and want access to the following international streaming platforms: For just $3.33/month, you can stream your favorite South Korean content without running into error messages. I tried all 4 of its available servers and got fast connections to my favorite channels, including Wavve, Kocowa, Melon, and Netflix. IPVanish’s Seoul server gave me uninterrupted streaming, with zero wait times.
A minor con I identified throughout the testing process is that IPVanish’s headquarters are in the US, at the heart of the 5 Eyes alliance. Governmental organizations from 5 Eyes countries have the power to request data whenever they want. Nonetheless, IPVanish’s strict no-logs policy ensures your data is hidden, meaning your information is safe from third parties. Install IPVanish using its 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re unsatisfied with the subscription, you can get a refund quickly. I tested its refund policy to ensure you can get your money-back and requested a refund by clicking the cancellation button on its website. The request was accepted that day and my money was in my bank account within a week. Access South Korean sites with IPVanish
5. PureVPN — Quantum-Resistant Encryption Keys Future-Proof Your Security
Key Features: PureVPN uses quantum-resistant encryption keys to provide the highest level of privacy possible. This guarantees your protection and anonymity when acquiring a South Korean IP address, making it more difficult for prying eyes and hackers to access your data. Other security features that ensure your anonymity when accessing South Korean sites include:
Dedicated IP addresses and DDoS protection — bypass network censorship and hide your IP address without alerting your ISP or the authorities. DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection — stop your IP address and location from being intercepted. An externally audited no-logs policy — ensures your data isn’t collected or stored and cannot be shared with governmental organizations.
I was impressed that PureVPN has 14 server locations in South Korea. With this many options in South Korea, you don’t need to worry about performance issues caused by overcrowded servers. I tested 10 of the available servers and found each one was reliable with stable connections.
You’ll be able to access the following services and more for $2.29/month: One con is that PureVPN takes longer than the other VPNs to accept refund requests. Nonetheless, it provides one of the longest money-back guarantees available, allowing you to stream MBC and other South Korean content for 31days. To make sure you can get a refund, I sent its customer service team a message using the 24/7 live chat. Despite taking a couple of days to accept, the refund was processed without any problems. Download PureVPN using its 31-day money-back guarantee. If you’re unsatisfied with your subscription, you can claim a full refund. Access South Korean sites with PureVPN
Research Methodology: How I Tested the Best VPNs for South Korea
After testing over 30 VPNs, I found the top 5 by ranking them using the following criteria:
South Korean servers — Every VPN on this list has at least 1 server in South Korea, ensuring you get a South Korean IP address. Security — Top VPNs provide security features like AES 256-bit encryption and an automatic kill switch to protect your data from hackers and third parties. Privacy — Most of the VPNs on this list have an externally audited no-logs policy, meaning it can be trusted to delete all your data. High speeds — During my tests, every VPN ensured speeds fast enough for high-bandwidth activities like UHD streaming and online gaming without lag. Customer support — Each VPN has knowledgeable and responsive customer service agents, with most providing 24/7 live chats and email support. Money-back guarantee — Every VPN has a money-back guarantee, meaning you can test it out risk-free to ensure it meets your expectations.
Access South Korean Websites From Anywhere
Due to the strict internet censorship in South Korea, you’ll be unable to access websites and services while traveling abroad. To access South Korean websites and streaming platforms, you need a quality VPN. To be clear, the WizCase team and I do not condone illegal activity and advise you to look into the laws and regulations relevant to you and your location. After testing over 30 VPNs, I found ExpressVPN excels at providing a South Korean IP address due to its TrustedServer technology and superfast speeds. Try ExpressVPN risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re unsatisfied with the service, you can get a refund. Get a South Korean IP with ExpressVPN
