How to get a South Korea IP address abroad (for free) with a VPN

Want to access a South Korean IP address from abroad? We explain how to change your IP address to Korea using a VPN and get temporary use of a Korean IP address for free.

Whether you're a resident of Korea or a traveler exploring abroad, a VPN with a Korean IP address can be invaluable. Many Korean services restrict access when you're outside the country, making a VPN essential to regain access. For instance, you can use a Korean IP VPN to enjoy Netflix Korea, Naver, Kocowa, Oksusu, Wavve, Seezn, or any other Korean streaming platform from abroad.

Within Korea, VPNs bypass workplace or school restrictions on social media, gaming servers, streaming, and more. Connecting to a Korean IP address allows you to navigate the internet as if you were at home, all while preserving your online activities from prying eyes.

Additionally, a VPN with a Korean IP can help you combat ISP throttling while maintaining access to local services and bolstering your online privacy. However, not all VPNs offer reliable Korean servers.

In this guide, we'll recommend the best VPNs for getting a South Korean IP. These VPNs are fast, prioritize your privacy, are ideal for streaming, and often come with a money-back guarantee to let you test them for free.

Below, you can take a quick look at the best VPNs for South Korea. Please keep scrolling for detailed summaries, and a step-by-step guide on how to get a Korean IP address using a VPN.

The best VPNs to get a South Korean IP address:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN with South Korean IP addresses. Vast server network, strict no-logs policy, and outstanding security practices. Lightning-fast speeds and a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee to try it for free. Works with popular Korean streaming platforms.
2. Surfshark: Budget-friendly VPN with an impressive range of security features. Offers solid speeds and robust unblocking capabilities. Lets you connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. 30-day money-back guarantee.
3. ExpressVPN: High-speed server network in 105+ countries, including Korea. User-friendly apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Lightway protocol is ideal for streaming Naver, TVing Kocowa, and many others. 30-day money-back guarantee.
4. IPVanish: Popular with Korean Kodi users. Swift and secure with no device connection limits. Servers in 50+ countries, including Korea and Japan. Works to stream Netflix US, but isn’t the best for streaming on this list. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee to test.
5. ProtonVPN: A highly advanced VPN that is great for torrenting. Has a single server in Korea to get a valid IP address there. Free plan with an IP address in Japan. Works to access popular Korean streams. 30-day money-back guarantee.
6. PrivateVPN: A highly reliable VPN with servers in over 60 countries, including South Korea. Great value for money and provides port forwarding, making it ideal for torrenting. Not as fast as our top recommendations, but streams without buffering and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Summary Table

To find reliable VPNs for South Korea, we check that each service has the following crucial features:

• Secure servers in South Korea that work to get a local IP address there
• Apps for all popular platforms (Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS)
• Works to watch Korean streaming services and TV networks
• Reliable security to keep your browsing habits and personal data concealed
• A no-logs policy that promises never to keep records of the servers you connect to or your activities
• Reliable customer support with live chat agents
• Strong security features, including AES encryption and a no-logs policy
• Decent value for money, unlimited bandwidth, and secure connections 
• Servers in Japan and elsewhere let you access tons of international services
• In order to qualify for one of the top three positions, the VPN must operate a 100% diskless server network and have had its infrastructure audited by a reputable third party

You can find out more about how we test and recommend VPNs later in this guide. For now, you can read our detailed summaries of the best VPNs for a South Korean IP. All these services work to get an IP address in Korea, but they differ slightly. Use the summaries to get the best VPN for your needs.

The best VPNs with a South Korean IP

NordVPN is our top recommendation if you want a reliable way to get a South Korean IP address. NordVPN delivers blazing-fast speeds that are perfect for uninterrupted streaming on Korean platforms like Naver, Viu, Wavve, Tving, and Seezn.

Robust encryption guarantees you secure access to Korean services, whether you're at home, in the office, abroad, or connected to public WiFi networks. NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy, which means your online activities remain private and confidential. It has undergone a full third-party audit of its apps, policies, and servers, meaning it has been checked for potential vulnerabilities.

NordVPN has apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Firesticks. These applications are equipped with advanced features such as DNS leak protection, a kill switch, obfuscated servers, split tunneling, ad blocking, Meshnet, and tracker prevention.

More than 6,000+ servers are available in 60+ countries including South Korea and Japan. They can access a wide choice of popular Korean content. NordVPN is torrent-friendly and works with US Netflix, making it a fantastic all-rounder.

24/7 live chat support lets you ask questions at any time of day, and you can try it for free thanks to its generous 30-day money-back guarantee. It is exceptionally fast for gaming and streaming thanks to its NordLynx protocol. Ad and tracker blocking is included to give you even better protection.

BEST VPN FOR SOUTH KOREA: NordVPN is the best VPN to get a South Korean IP. It works with popular Korean streaming services, and international platforms such as Hulu Japan, US Netflix, and BBC iPlayer. Reliable security features and a no logging policy. A 30-day money-back guarantee lets you test it risk-free.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

Surfshark is our top recommendation if you want a cheap option to get a South Korean IP address. It starts at just $2.49 per month, and for that price, you can use it on an unlimited number of devices, perfect for using the VPN on public WiFi or for sharing your account with friends and family.

You can pick from 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries, including Korea. It works to watch Kocowa, Naver, Tving, Viu, and anything else that takes your fancy. It can also access popular international services, making it a fantastic all-rounder to watch Netflix US, Hulu, Crunchyroll, ESPN, and many other popular services.

Surfshark delivers exceptional speeds for streaming, torrenting, gaming, and even video calls, thanks to its WireGuard protocol. Surfshark adheres to a strict no-logs policy, and it is based in the British Virgin Islands, which means you don’t have to worry about government warrants or mandatory data retention directives.

User-friendly apps cater to a wide range of popular devices, including tablets, smartphones, laptops, and Firestick devices. Those apps provide DNS leak protection, a kill switch, obfuscation, malware filtering, and ad blocking. A unique no-borders mode lets you bypass VPN restrictions and access US services even when visiting countries like China or the UAE.

24/7 live chat support lets you get help at any time of day, and you can try it using its 30-day money-back guarantee. With incredible performance and low-cost plans, this is perfect for those on a budget.

BEST BUDGET OPTION: Surfshark is perfect for getting a Korean IP address without breaking the bank. Easy to use, fast, and excellent value for money. Allows unlimited connections. No logging policy and strong encryption. 30-day money-back guarantee to test it for free.

Read our full review of Surfshark.

ExpressVPN is a well-established and popular VPN based in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands. Apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, and they provide reliable privacy and security features to protect your data and prevent online tracking. 

ExpressVPN boasts an extensive server network spanning 105+ countries, including servers in South Korea and Japan. They can access popular streaming platforms that carry K-dramas and other Korean shows. You can use it to stream Naver TV, Tving, Seezn, and many more at work or abroad.

The apps come equipped with essential privacy features, such as a kill switch, default obfuscation using OpenVPN UDP, DNS leak protection, split tunneling, and a range of protocol options. Moreover, ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol guarantees lightning-fast speeds, ideal for lag-free streaming, gaming, and torrenting.

ExpressVPN implements a strict no-logs policy, ensuring that your IP address and online activities remain confidential. To fortify your online security, ExpressVPN uses robust AES encryption. It’s perfect for using public WiFi safely, or for bypassing blocks at work without being monitored.

The biggest downside is that ExpressVPN is a touch more expensive. However, it is a highly reliable and secure VPN that offers fantastic speeds. You can compare it to any of our other recommendations using its 30-day money-back guarantee. 24/7 live chat means you can get help at any time of day.

GREAT ALL-ROUNDER: ExpressVPN is a reputable and rigorously audited VPN service. It operates using diskless servers and employs robust security measures, including a kill switch, AES encryption, and obfuscation for OpenVPN. It is super-fast for streaming and gaming. Try it yourself using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

IPVanish is a US-based provider that controls its entire network infrastructure. It has more than 3,000 servers, which allows it to avoid congestion and provide exceptional speeds for its users. Servers in South Korea are ideal for accessing accounts and services while on vacation, or if they are blocked at work.

During our tests, we found IPVanish to be both speedy and highly dependable. It is based in the US, which admittedly isn’t the best for privacy. However, it adheres to a strict no-logs policy, so it never tracks what you do online. You can rely on it to gain privacy on public WiFi, at home, or while working. 

Its user-friendly applications are compatible with all major platforms, and they come with a surprisingly robust feature set. You can connect an unlimited number of devices, which makes it an ideal option for families or power users who own many devices. 

Security consists of strong encryption, a choice of protocols, a kill switch, split tunneling, XOR obfuscation, and DNS leak protection. It works to access a wide selection of popular services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Prime Video, ESPN, and more. It also has live chat support and you can test it with its 30-day money-back guarantee.

SECURE BROWSING: IPVanish is fast and offers servers in South Korea. Not the best for streaming, so we recommend you test it yourself with your favorite platforms. You can do this using its 30-day money-back guarantee. Unlimited connection allowance and live chat support.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

Proton VPN was developed by the creators of ProtonMail and is headquartered in Switzerland. It enjoys a sterling reputation as a highly trusted service. It has a solid no-logging policy, watertight encryption, and user-friendly applications equipped with cutting-edge features.

You can install and use the VPN on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android platforms. Those apps include a kill switch, obfuscation, Tor over VPN, MultiHop connections, and a network of self-owned Secure Core servers.

Servers cover 71+ countries, including South Korea. The basic free plan only provides IPs in Japan, the US, and the Netherlands (which is still pretty impressive!)

The WireGuard protocol delivers swift speeds, making it a good choice for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. Its port forwarding feature makes it ideal for seeding torrents. The only drawbacks are that it is a little expensive and it might not work with all streaming platforms, so it's a good idea to test it. That said, it works with Netflix US and Hulu.

A 30-day money-back guarantee allows you to try it out. You can contact live chat support once you have an account via the top left of the member's area.

SUPER ADVANCED: ProtonVPN is a trustworthy provider based in Switzerland. Suitable for techy users and those who want to torrent. Has a fast server in South Korea. DNS-based ad blocking and tracker filtering for added protection. Secure servers are self-owned. 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full review of ProtonVPN.

PrivateVPN is a Sweden-based VPN first launched with the backing of hacktivists. It was designed with privacy in mind. It allows torrenting throughout its network and port forwarding makes seeding possible with any BitTorrent client.

With servers in more than 63 countries, including South Korea, you can get an IP address just about anywhere. Despite being the slowest VPN on this list, it still works for streaming without buffering and it is one of the only VPNs that can access more than 15 different Netflix regions. The South Korean servers work to access Seezn, Tving, Naver TV, and others.

PrivateVPN offers seamless compatibility with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Those apps have robust security features such as a kill switch, DNS leak protection, obfuscation (stealth), and robust encryption. It is our favorite VPN for torrenting on a budget thanks to its low-cost plans.

Being based in Sweden allows PrivateVPN to abide by a stringent no-logs policy, ensuring that no trace of your online activities is ever retained. It takes pride in its proprietary server network, which is fully under its control and removes any third parties from the equation. 

You can test it yourself to see whether it suits you thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. You can use it on up to 10 devices and get help at any time of day via live chat.

STRONG ALL-ROUNDER: PrivateVPN has servers located in 63+ countries. It can get you an IP address in South Korea and is an excellent choice for streaming. Easy to use and comes with port forwarding for improved torrenting. Allows 10 simultaneous connections and has a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full review of PrivateVPN.

South Korea IP VPN – testing methodology

At Bleeping Computer, we take user privacy and data security extremely seriously. We test VPNs using a thorough testing methodology that ensures we only recommend highly trustworthy and reliable VPNs that put data security first. 

As part of our rigorous tests, we check the encryption, read the privacy policies, test the VPN for IP and DNS leaks, use a dedicated test server to check the performance, and figure out whether the VPN works to access popular streaming platforms.

Below, we have included some of the important features we looked for when recommending VPNs that are safe to use to get an IP address in South Korea.

• Servers in South Korea: Our top picks are designed to provide you with a South Korean IP address from anywhere in the world, allowing access to South Korean game servers, streams, internet banking, and more. Ideally, the provider with have a range of servers to pick from. 
• Global server network: These VPNs offer the flexibility to secure an IP address in virtually any location around the globe. This lets you access popular international services while in Korea or traveling.
• Fast Tier-1 network: These VPNs ensure optimal internet speeds, ensuring seamless streaming, torrenting, gaming, and private video calls. They also provide the modern WireGuard protocol, which makes them even faster.
• No logging policy: These VPNs uphold a strict no-logs policy, ensuring that your online activities remain completely confidential, both now and in the future.
• Feature-rich apps: We exclusively recommend VPNs equipped with a comprehensive set of advanced security features, including a kill switch, obfuscation, MultiHop, split tunneling, and more.
• Compatibility with South Korean streaming platforms: You can effortlessly connect to servers in South Korea and enjoy popular South Korean streaming services like Tving, Viu, Naver, Seezn, and many others.
• Value for money: We prioritize trustworthy VPNs that offer both security and affordability, ensuring you get excellent value for money.
• Strong encryption: Our VPN recommendations undergo rigorous testing for leaks and encryption effectiveness. 256-bit encryption ensures your data remains private and the VPN works to gain privacy and data security whether at home, at work, or on public WiFi.

In addition to the tests and features mentioned above, our top three recommendations must have endured a full third-party audit of their service. This ensures that all their apps, servers, and policies have been verified by independent security auditors. 

In addition, all our top three VPNs with a Korean IP address have diskless servers. These constantly overwrite old data with new data and can be erased remotely to delete everything in case of an emergency. 

If you prefer the most solid VPN possible in terms of privacy and data security, we recommend the top three options for these reasons.

How to get a South Korea IP address with a VPN

If you have never used a VPN before, they can seem a touch confusing. In reality, VPNs make it easy to get an IP address in South Korea. Follow the steps below to get started.

Five simple steps to get a South Korea IP address with a VPN:

1. Choose a reliable VPN: You must pick a VPN that is both secure and has servers in Korea. We recommend NordVPN, known for its speed, reliability, and compatibility with South Korean streaming services and game servers. Alternatively, Surfshark is another excellent option that offers exceptional value.
2. Subscribe to the VPN: Follow our link to subscribe to the VPN. Many providers offer various subscription plans to suit your needs, and opting for a longer-term plan can lead to significant savings.
3. Download and install the VPN app: Download the VPN app onto your preferred device. Our recommended VPNs offer user-friendly apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Firestick, and even Linux.
4. Log in to your VPN: Launch the VPN app and log in using your credentials.
5. Choose a South Korean VPN server: Within the VPN app, locate and select a server based in South Korea. Connecting to this server will get you a valid South Korean IP address from abroad or within Korea if you want added privacy.

That's it! You're now free to access South Korean websites and enjoy region-exclusive content. Thanks to your VPN you can use the web as if you were physically located in South Korea, and you can bypass any blocks at work or in school privately thanks to the VPN's encryption. The same goes for other locations like the UK and Hong Kong, as long as the VPN has a range of servers to pick from. 

Keep in mind that browser cookies might occasionally reveal your real location. If you encounter any issues using your South Korean IP, then clear your browser's cookies and cache to prevent any conflicts. 

South Korea IP address VPN – FAQs

Can I use a free VPN to get an IP address in Korea

No. As far as we are aware there are no reliable free VPNs that provide free servers in South Korea. You can use one of the services recommended in this guide, Proton VPN, to get an IP address in Japan, the US, or the Netherlands – but it does not have any servers in Korea.

Although you can find many free VPNs in app stores, the majority of them should be avoided. Many free VPNs have dodgy privacy policies that allow them to track users, harvest data, and sell information to third parties. Those free VPNs disseminate your data further, rather than provide online privacy.

In addition, studies have revealed that free VPNs often lack basic encryption, suffer from IP and DNS leaks, have serious app and server vulnerabilities, and even conceal spyware in their apps. Needless to say, using these types of VPNs is a huge risk to your data and the health of your devices.

If you want to use a VPN for free, we urge you to stick to recommended providers only, as a few premium VPNs provide a limited free plan to let people trial their service. This plan provides slower connections than the paid plan, and it purposefully blocks access to services like Netflix to force you to upgrade.

These reliable free VPNs still offer users the opportunity to gain online privacy and added security against hackers. 

Can I get a South Korean IP address in Japan?

Yes. Whether you are traveling to Japan on vacation or have moved there to live, you can easily use a VPN to get a Korean IP address. This will allow you to use region-locked services such as online banking, government resources and portals, TV streams, and anything else that has been region-locked to South Korea. 

Using a VPN to get a South Korean IP address is the easiest way to stay in touch with Korean culture back home, but you need a reliable VPN that has decent servers in Korea. So, stick to the recommended VPNs in this guide.

Can I get a Korean IP address for free?

Although we know of no reliable VPNs that have permanent free servers in Korea, you can try any of the VPNs in this guide for free thanks to their money-back guarantee. 

Our recommendations will let you test their service risk-free for 30 days, and then get a full refund. This allows you to get an idea of what you can do while connected to the VPN. It also allows you to compare as many VPNs as you want before deciding on a subscription plan.

Can I watch Korean TV with a VPN?

Yes. All the recommendations in this guide can provide you with a valid IP address in Korea. When you connect to these servers, you appear to be physically located in Korea, which allows you to access any region-locked TV platforms or video-on-demand services. Below, we have included a list of Korean streams you can watch with a VPN:

• Netflix Korea
• Viu
• Wavve
• Tving
• Seezn
• Oksusu (Now TV)
• KBS World
• SBS On Demand
• MBC On Demand
• Naver TV

Can I bypass blocks at work and in school with a Korea IP VPN?

Yes. Many Korean employers and educational institutions block access to streaming platforms, social media sites, online games, and other web resources to minimize distractions among their staff and students. This can be quite frustrating when you want to catch up with friends or enjoy a quick show during your lunch break.

By using a reliable VPN to connect to an IP address located in Korea, you can effectively bypass these restrictions and access your accounts while at work or school. The VPN's encryption ensures that your employer or institution won't detect your activities, allowing you to browse the internet privately as if you were outside the restricted network.

Keep in mind that violating company or school policies could lead to trouble, even though a VPN offers robust privacy protection. Remember that it can't prevent your boss from unexpectedly catching you watching Netflix on a company-owned device. To minimize potential repercussions, it's advisable to use your personal devices and to limit VPN use to lunch breaks and other downtime.

Is it legal to get an IP address in Korea using a VPN?

Yes. In most countries around the world, including Korea, it is completely legal to use a VPN. It is not a crime to purchase a VPN subscription, install a VPN, or use a VPN to gain online privacy. That said, it is still important not to engage in online crimes such as spamming, cyberbullying, harassment, hacking, etc. 

These activities are still criminal and using a VPN to conceal them is illegal. Check local laws to be sure that VPN use is legal in the country you reside. Bypassing certain restrictions may be illegal depending on where you are, so do your research. Nothing in this article should be taken as legal advice.