How to watch KBS from anywhere with a VPN

Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) is South Korea’s public TV broadcaster, and it is one of the most popular services for streaming South Korean TV online. As with many other international streaming services, KBS is blocked outside of Korea for licensing reasons. As a result, attempting to stream on the KBS website while traveling abroad results in the following error message:

This video is not provided due to copyright issues. Please understand.”

The good news is that anybody can bypass regional restrictions by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN is an online privacy tool that encrypts your internet traffic and prevents websites from detecting your home IP address.

By connecting to a VPN server in South Korea, you can get an IP address in South Korea. As a result, you can regain access to Korean TV services like KBS from abroad. Not all VPNs have servers in South Korea that work to watch KBS on vacation. This is because streaming platforms work hard to block IP addresses associated with VPNs.

In this guide, we have recommended VPN providers that have been tested to ensure they work so you can stream KBO and other popular Korean services while on vacation. Our recommendations have fast servers in South Korea and apps for all platforms to let you watch KBS on any device you own.

Below, you can take a quick look at the best VPNs for KBS. For more information about each service, and a guide on how to use a VPN to stream KBS abroad, simply scroll down further.

If you want to access KBS and other Korean TV platforms on vacation, you must pick a VPN that has fast servers in South Korea that have not been blocked. To help you out, we have outlined our recommendations below. We will provide detailed summaries about each service later in this guide.

Best VPNs for KBS (to stream outside South Korea):

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for KBS. Fast servers in 59 countries, including South Korea. Works to stream a number of popular Korean TV platforms, including KBS. Apps for all platforms. Very strong on privacy. Works with Netflix US. Money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for KBS.
2. Surfshark: Best budget VPN for KBS. Allows an unlimited number of connections to its servers. Great for sharing an account with friends and family. Advanced apps for all platforms. Malware protection. Super-fast WIreguard connections. Works with KBS.
3. ExpressVPN: Popular and well-known. Excellent reliability. Servers in 94 countries, including Korea to watch KBS. Lots of advanced features. No logs policy. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee. Lightway protocol for faster streaming.
4. CyberGhost: A great option for beginners. Easy apps for all devices. Servers in nearly 90 countries. Works with Netflix, KBS, and other popular services. Lightning-fast WireGuard protocol.
5. IPVanish: Strong on privacy. Lots of advanced features, including obfuscation, DNS leak protection, and a kill-switch. No-logs policy. Wireguard protocol is super fast. Works with KBS.
6. PrivateVPN: Swedish provider dedicated to privacy. Built for torrenting. Superfast servers in over 50 countries. South Korean servers work to stream KBS. Works to stream around 20 Netflix regions.
7. Hotspot Shield: Fast US provider often recommended for streaming. No usage logs. Easy to use. Works with most streaming services. Fast servers in 80+ countries

How to watch KBS outside South Korea with a VPN

Using a VPN to access KBS is quick and easy as long as you pick a recommended VPN that hasn’t already been blocked. In this guide, we have done that hard work for you by testing the market carefully. To help you out further, we have included a guide on how to use a VPN for KBS below:

Here’s how to watch KBS online from anywhere using a VPN:

1. Pick one of our recommended VPNs for KBS. Our top pick is NordVPN because it has fast South Korean servers that work to stream KBS on vacation from anywhere.
2. Navigate to your preferred VPN’s website and subscribe.
3. Download the VPN app and install it on your streaming device.
4. Login to the VPN using your user credentials from sign up.
5. Pick a server in South Korea from the list and click connect.

Thanks to your VPN, you will now have a South Korean IP address. This means you can watch KBS as if you were back home. If you have any issues, try clearing the cookies and cache in your browser. Also, check with your VPN’s live chat support to find out which Korean server is optimized for streaming.

Best VPNs for watching KBS outside South Korea

To recommend VPNs that definitely work to watch KBS on vacation, we looked for the following important features and criteria:

• Fast servers in South Korea that work to stream KBS
• Reliable apps with secure encryption and advanced security features
• A no-logs policy that protects your online privacy at all times
• Apps for all popular platforms to let you stream KBS on any device
• 24/7 live chat and email support to give you help when you need it most

To find out more about how we pick VPNs, you can refer to our detailed VPN testing methodology article. For now, here’s our list of the best VPNs to stream KBS abroad:

1. NordVPN

Apr 2024

NordVPN is a popular VPN provider based in Panama. It is no logs service that dedicates itself to providing high levels of data security and privacy for its users. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, firestick devices, and select VPNs-compatible routers. Those apps are fully featured with a kill switch, DNS leak protection, obfuscated servers, double-hop encryption, and a variety of other advanced features; including malware protection.

To make the service better for bypassing restrictions, this VPN has a global server network in 59 countries. It also has a huge number of servers in each location to prevent congestion and provide exceptional speeds for all its subscribers. Add to this its proprietary WireGuard fork NordLynx, and you have a service that is great for torrenting, streaming in HD, and video conferencing.

This provider is one of the few that works with popular international services like Netflix, Hulu, and iPlayer. Best of all, it has fast servers in Seoul that work to stream on KBS, TV Chosun, Arirang, YTN, and other popular Korean language services. You can test the VPN yourself using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

BEST VPN FOR KBS:NordVPN is our #1 choice. A highly secure VPN that works reliably with KBS and other popular Korean services. Connect up to 6 devices simultaneously. Lots of excellent, advanced privacy features. No-logs policy. Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is a solid VPN provider with a superb reputation with consumers. It is based in the British Virgin Islands, which puts it out of reach of invasive jurisdictions like the UK, the EU, and the US. And a no-logs policy ensures it never tracks what you do online.

Apps are available for all platforms and they come with a lot of advanced features to keep your data safe. This includes a kill-switch, obfuscation, DNS leak protection, built-in malware protection, multihop, and adblocking.

Servers are located in over 60 countries, and they are all super-fast for streaming and torrenting. Servers are available in Seoul, and they work with a broad range of South Korean TV platforms. Plus this VPN works to access other popular international services like Netflix (over a dozen regions), Hulu, iPlayer, and Disney+.

The VPN is very cheap considering the level of service you get. Unbelievably, it also lets you use the VPN on an unlimited number of devices. This allows you to share your account with family members or friends. Speeds are excellent thanks to its WireGuard implementation. Finally, it has live chat support available 24/7 and a 30-day money back guarantee.

BEST BUDGET VPN FOR KBS:Allows an unlimited number of connections with a single account. Superb speeds thanks to its WireGuard implementation. Secure no-logs policy. Works to stream around 20 Netflix regions. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a true veteran in the industry. It has been around for over 10 years, and in that time it has been established as a go-to brand for those seeking robust online privacy, data security, and online freedom. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. They provide all the advanced VPN features you would expect from a market-leading provider.

A no-logging policy ensures that it never tracks what you do while connected. That said, it does have systems in place to collect aggregated connection statistics that it uses to keep the service running optimally without putting any single user at risk. You also get the benefit of a kill-switch, obfuscation, DNS leak protection, and its super-fast proprietary Lightway protocol.

Servers are located in a whopping 94 countries. This includes servers in South Korea and right across Asia. This ensures you can get excellent speeds and access KBS and other popular streaming services. What’s more, this VPN works to access Netflix, iPlayer, and other hard-to-get services from around the world.

Express was one of the pioneers that forced 24/7 live chat to be a staple part of all modern industry-leading VPNs. It also has a solid 30-day money back policy and lets you use the VPN on up to five devices simultaneously. Perhaps the only drawback is that it is a little pricey, but you get what you pay for.

OUTSTANDING ALLROUNDER:ExpressVPN makes it simple to stream KBS, Netflix, and other services from abroad. Security is assured thanks to OpenVPN with AES encryption. No logs policy. Outstanding speeds. Kill-switch and obfuscation features. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

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4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is a Romanian VPN provider and is extremely easy to use. This makes it an excellent option for beginners who are new to the world of VPNs. The apps are simple, uncluttered, and designed with the user in mind. It is also fairly stripped back, meaning that it does what you need from a solid VPN without complicating matters.

Apps are available for MacOS, iOS, Android, and Windows. Plus it has browser extensions, apps for Firesticks, and plicating matters.

Apps are available for MacOS, iOS, Android, and Windows. Plus, it has browser extensions, router compatibility, and apps for Firestick devices. This makes it easy to stream on any device you own. A no-logs policy ensures that ensures it never harvests any data regarding your browsing habits. It also has strong AES encryption (OpenVPN) protocol and Wiregurd for super-fast connection speeds.

Servers are located in nearly 90 countries, including South Korea. Plus, it is a VPN that works to access a wide choice of streaming services including KBS, DramaFever, and other Korean platforms. It also works to access Netflix US, HBO Max, and many others. Finally, it has live chat and a super-generous 45-day money-back guarantee to trial the service.

IDEAL FOR BEGINNERS:Easy to use and excellent for streaming. Super-fast WireGuard protocol. Excellent value for money. Superb speeds and reliability. South Korean servers work with KBS. Works with Netflix, iPlayer, and more. Has a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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5. IPVanish

IPVanish is primarily aimed at users who want online privacy. It has a solid no logs policy, and apps for all platforms that have watertight AES encryption and a choice of advanced features including the OpenVPN protocol,  DNS leak protection, XOR obfuscation, split tunneling, and a kill switch.

Servers are located in over 50 countries, which is fewer than some of our other recommendations. However, it does have servers in South Korea to access KBS abroad. The biggest drawback is that this service doesn’t provide access to as many international platforms like Netflix, iPlayer, and Hulu. (It does work with Netflix US.) This means you must use its 30-day money-back guarantee to check it works with the services you use.

Being based in the US is also going to put some privacy enthusiasts off. However, this VPN does have everything most consumers need to prevent ISP snooping, and tracking by local networks. One of its biggest benefits is that you can use it on an unlimited number of devices. It also has live chat support to let you ask questions at any time of day.

UNLIMITED CONNECTIONS:Large proprietary network of servers. Allows an unlimited number of devices to connect. Fast speeds to stream KBS and other South Korean services. Strong privacy features, including AES encryption, XOR obfuscation, OpenVPN, and a kill-switch. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review

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6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is a popular Swedish VPN provider that was launched with the backing of activists who support consumer rights to torrent. True to its name, the service has a solid no-logs policy, and plenty of advanced security features including the OpenVPN protocol with AES encryption. Servers are all bare metal and fully controlled by the provider, and the VPN has a killswitch, obfuscation, and DNS leak protection.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. This means you can easily gain online privacy whether at home or on public wi-fi. Plus, this VPN has servers in more than  60 countries that work to access around 20 Netflix regions, Hulu, HBO Max, iPlayer, and many others. And it has South Korean servers that work with a whole host of South Korean TV services.

The VPN is easy to use, and it has live chat available for between 18 and 20 hours a day on its website. This lets you ask questions about setting up and using the VPN. The only slight drawback is that this VPN has fewer servers in each location. However, it still provides excellent speeds fr HD streaming and torrenting. You can compare it to our other recommendations with its 30-day money-back guarantee.

SUPER RELIABLE:Perfect for streaming and torrenting. Servers in 63 countries, including South Korea. Connect up to six devices with a single subscription. No-logs policy. Kill-switch. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

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7. Hotspot Shield

Hotspot Shield is a provider from the US that is a great option for those who want to stream. It has a proprietary VPN protocol called Catapult Hydra that is designed with better speeds in mind. This makes it great for video conferencing, watching videos, and gaming. The VPN also permits torrenting, making it a solid all rounder.

Servers are available in over 80 countries, which gives you plenty of options for bypassing online restrictions and censorship. This includes servers in South Korea ideal for watching KBS abroad. Plus, this VPN works with popular services like Hulu, Netflix, and iPlayer.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. You can install and use the VPN on up to 5 devices, which should be enough for most users. The VPN is a little light on features, but it does have all the essentials, including DNS leak protection, AES encryption, and a kill switch.

Being based in the US might put some users off, particularly because the VPN does store some connection logs. That said, the service provides everything the average consumer needs to gain privacy from local network admins, ISPs, and website tracking. You can try it yourself thanks to its 45-day money back guarantee.

GOOD SPEEDS:Hotspot Shield provides decent connections thanks to its Catapult Hydra protocol. Servers in 80 countries, including South Korea for KBS and other TV platforms. Works with Netflix. 24/7 support. AES-256 encryption. No usage logs. Has a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Hotspot Shield review.

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