K-drama is wildly popular these days. However, you may be overwhelmed by suspense if you’re a huge fan of Weak Hero Class 1, A Shoulder to Cry On, or other popular TV shows. Unless they are originals, you must wait for days until the latest episode gets on your streaming platform after airing in Korea. That is, unless you happen to get a South Korean IP address.
With one, you can hop on exclusive platforms and access content that would otherwise be region-blocked. And the great thing is, you don’t have to be in Korea — you can be anywhere in the world.
Using a VPN is the best approach, so we’ll provide a simple-to-follow process. And since they’re not all created alike, you’ll get a shortlist of the best options to get a South Korean IP address in 2024.
How to Get a South Korean IP Address With a VPN
Here are the steps to obtaining an IP address in South Korea. For this to work, you need a VPN with servers located in South Korea.
Step 1: Choose a Reliable VPN (Our Recommendation: ExpressVPN)
You need a VPN provider that’s secure and reliable and has servers in South Korea. The features to look for include standard and advanced privacy features, fast connection speeds, and quality customer support. We’re going with ExpressVPN.
Step 2: Sign Up and Subscribe
Create an account on the ExpressVPN website, providing your email and payment information. Select a subscription plan and pay for it.
Step 3: Install the VPN App
Download the VPN app from the official website onto your device. In the download folder, click to install it. If you’re using a smartphone, download the app from the Play Store or Apple App Store.
ExpressVPN is considered by many to be the best VPN for iPhone, Mac, Android and Windows.
Step 4: Connect to a South Korean Server
Launch the ExpressVPN app. Log in using your account credentials. Select a South Korean server from the server list. Click the connect button on the home screen to connect to it.
Step 5: Verify Your South Korean IP Address
Your actual IP address should now be masked with one from South Korea. You can verify this by using an online tool like whatismyipaddress.com.
If it confirms that you now have a Korean IP, you’re all set to access websites and online services that were previously blocked.
The Best VPNs for a South Korean IP Address — Our Top 3 Picks
A quick Google search will confirm there are tons of VPN services out there. Settling on the right provider to get an IP in South Korea isn’t as easy as randomly selecting one. Doing so could potentially put your personal information at risk.
Besides, as mentioned earlier, many VPNs don’t have servers in South Korea.
We’ve narrowed down several options to the best VPNs that can get you a South Korean IP address. Unsurprisingly, we’ll be focusing on premium providers.
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is considered by many to be the best VPN provider in the market. That’s down to rapid connection speeds, robust features, and a lot more.
The VPN offers 3,000+ servers across 94 countries, including South Korea. ExpressVPN is super-fast, thanks to 10 Gbps servers and a custom Lightway protocol. There are no dedicated servers, but you don’t need them anyway. You’ll get buffer-free browsing, downloading, streaming, and more.
Speaking of which, ExpressVPN boasts excellent streaming and unblocking abilities. No matter where you are, you can tune into EBS, Netflix South Korea, or other platforms to enjoy local content. Similarly, the VPN effortlessly unblocks major international services like BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, and more.
ExpressVPN’s British Virgin Island jurisdiction is a plus, as it’s quite privacy-friendly. In any case, the VPN TrustedServer technology and strict no-logs policy combination mean it stores no identifying information on your online activities.
As for protecting your data, ExpressVPN uses the virtually impenetrable AES 256-bit encryption. A kill switch keeps your device from unwittingly exposing traffic when the VPN connection is interrupted.
Several other advanced features also come along. For instance, if you’re worried about your safety on the dark web, the VPN’s Onion over VPN functionality takes you as close to anonymity as possible.
ExpressVPN works on all the major platforms and is compatible with several devices, including streaming boxes and smart TVs. Thanks to MediaStreamer, it works on gaming consoles. You can secure up to devices when you subscribe to a plan.
Considering giving it a go in order to obtain an IP located in South Korea? A 30-day money-back guarantee provides adequate backing.
Get a Korean IP with ExpressVPN
2. CyberGhost
CyberGhost is visually appealing and easy to use, making it an excellent choice for newbie VPN users. On top of that, the attractive long-term pricing has it topping our cheapest VPN list.
The Romanian-based provider offers a massive collection of 9,600+ servers spanning 91 countries. You can get a South Korean IP address from any of its 20+ servers located in the country.
They are pretty fast servers, especially when you use WireGuard. With CyberGhost, you can stream high-quality video resolutions without worrying about buffering. If you happen across a congested or slow Korean server, simply switch to any of the couple dozen alternatives for smoother connections.
CyberGhost impresses in terms of bypassing geo-restrictions. From abroad, you’re open to all the K-movies, sports, shows, and other local content within seconds of connecting to a server. And who’s to say you can’t enjoy Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and other platforms when you’re in South Korea?
Security and privacy-wise, you’re covered. Never worry again about connecting to free public networks. The VPN’s Wi-Fi protection automatically detects new networks and initiates measures to protect your device and data. Plus, CyberGhost uses military-grade encryption to scramble your data and keep it from hackers and other cybercriminals.
There’s a kill switch and IP/DNS leak protection to prevent data leaks. And CyberGhost’s no-logs policy has undergone independent verification.
CyberGhost works on a wide variety of platforms and devices. A single subscription covers seven devices at the same time, so you can get a Korean IP on all your devices. The VPN gives you up to 45 days to try it out, risk-free. If you’re unsatisfied, you can claim a full refund.
Get a Korean IP with CyberGhost
3. NordVPN
With its 10+ servers in the country, NordVPN is another great way to get a South Korean IP address. They are part of its extensive pool of 5,800+ servers in 60 countries.
NordVPN sits comfortably in our list of the fastest VPN services, offering blazing-fast connection speeds. There’s barely any perceptible hit on performance, so you can enjoy fast browsing and stream smoothly in 4K. The provider’s proprietary NordLynx protocol is centered around WireGuard and mirrors that protocol’s speedy connections.
If Korean news, shows, and movies are your thing, you’re in luck. NordVPN bypasses geo-blocks on virtually every website and online service in any of its server locations. This means you’ll have no issues accessing exclusive libraries on Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, and more.
The VPN is renowned for being privacy-focused. NordVPN implements bank-level protection for your online traffic, effectively barring hackers and other snoopers. Plus, it won’t collect or store information that could lead back to you — a claim verified by an independent audit.
NordVPN’s Threat Protection strategy takes a comprehensive approach against advertisements, malware, and trackers. Additionally, the built-in Onion over VPN functionality enhances your journey towards maximum anonymity.
Compatibility extends to desktops, smartphones, routers, game consoles, and various other devices. A single subscription accommodates up to six of them simultaneously.
Like ExpressVPN, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee backing your purchase. If you’re not 100% satisfied, you can request a refund within that period.
How a VPN Assigns You an IP Address in South Korea
When you select a server from a VPN’s list and click the connect button on the home screen, the software routes your traffic through a secure tunnel to that server. In the process, it hides your original IP address and assigns you one in that server location.
For instance, you could be home in London or New York, anxious to catch up on the latest episode of Lovestruck in the City on Kakao TV. Without a VPN, you would have to wait until you’re in Korea or look for other streaming alternatives, which may not work quite as well.
However, when you purchase a VPN subscription and connect to a server in Korea, Kakao TV and other online services accept that you’re in the country. That way, you avoid any error messages and can enjoy your show.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to get a South Korean IP address to stream, use banking services, and other purposes, a VPN is the way to go. The technology tricks geo-blocked websites, streaming platforms, and other services into accepting that you’re physically in Korea when you could be anywhere else.
Our top choice to use is ExpressVPN. It provides multiple servers in the country, as well as excellent unblocking abilities. On top of that, you get robust security and privacy, stable performances, and quality customer support.
You can take advantage of a 49% discount on its annual plan and enjoy three extra months for free.
Get a Korean IP with ExpressVPN
FAQs
Are VPNs legal in South Korea?
Yes, like in most other countries, VPNs are legal in Korea. There are no government regulations against using them. However, committing crimes while online may get you into trouble, whether or not you use a VPN.
Can you get a South Korean IP address with a proxy?
Yes, a proxy server is another alternative to using a VPN. Like the latter, it acts as an intermediary between your device and the internet. However, proxy servers are not as secure as VPNs. In addition, they are more likely to fail at bypassing restrictions on streaming platforms and other online services. As a result, this is not the best option for obtaining a Korean IP.
Can you use a free VPN to get an IP address in South Korea?
It’s not very likely. Most free VPNs are limited. As Korea is not a popular location, there’s little chance you find one with servers in the country. Even if you do, free providers are not very reliable. You’re better off paying a subscription.
