Popular sites and services are increasingly using geo-blocking to restrict access to their content. Usually, this takes the form of an IP address check, where you’re only allowed to use the service if your IP address comes from a specific country. So if you want to access content and services in South Korea, you’re going to need a South Korea IP address. You can do this by connecting to a VPN. Whenever you use a VPN, you’re given a new, region-specific IP address (based on your chosen server’s location), making it trivially simple to bypass these regional restrictions and use geo-blocked platforms from abroad.

There’s a widespread assumption that what you get up to online is private, but really, everyone from your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to your employer, and in some countries, even the government, can see exactly which sites you visit and what you do on them. VPNs also prevent this and enhance your online privacy by encrypting your traffic, ensuring it can’t be read by any third-party observers.

How to get a South Korea IP address using a VPN

With the right VPN, getting an IP address from South Korea is very straightforward. Below, we’ll walk you through it.

Here’s how to get a South Korea IP address:

  • Begin by signing up for one of the VPNs listed below (we recommend NordVPN).
  • Download and install the app. There will be several different versions so be sure to get the relevant one for your device.
  • Connect to any of your VPN’s South Korean servers.
  • Try visiting a geo-blocked South Korean site. Content should load immediately, and if not, it usually will after clearing your cache and cookies, then refreshing the page.

We cover each provider in a lot of detail below, but if you only have time for a quick glance, here’s a summary list of the best VPNs for a South Korea IP address:

There are no hidden terms—just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn’t right for you and you’ll receive a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.

  • NordVPN: Our top choice for getting an IP address for South Korea Huge network of servers. Zero logs and impeccable security. Exceptional speeds and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
  • Surfshark: Budget provider that offers an impressive array of security features, as well as decent speeds and strong unblocking ability. Connect as many devices as you like.
  • ExpressVPN: A fast network of servers dotted around the globe. Easy to use apps for all major platforms that are great for privacy and security.
  • CyberGhost: Top security, fast speeds, and no logs. Apps are easy to use and beginner-friendly.
  • IPVanish: Preferred by Kodi users for its remote control friendly dashboard. Fast and secure. No connection limit.
  • PrivateVPN: Smaller network but great for privacy and live streaming Korean content.
  • VyprVPN: A privacy-first provider with decent speeds, strong streaming potential, and a true no-logs policy.

If you’d like to watch a particular event live, we highly recommend running through the steps above before it actually begins. In doing so, you ensure that if anything goes wrong, you’ll still have time to contact customer support. This also means you’re less likely to miss anything.

With so many competing VPNs, it’s often difficult to decide which is best for a particular task. With this in mind, when finding the best VPNs for getting a South Korean IP address, we decided to only consider services with all of the characteristics below:

Criteria for selecting the best VPNs

  • Has at least one South Korean server, preferably more
  • Provides high speeds and reliable connections
  • Uses 256-bit encryption and offers various other security features
  • Does not log any information that could identify you
  • Offers apps for all of the most popular operating systems

The best VPN to get an IP address for South Korea – at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for getting a South Korean IP.

What’s the best VPN to get a South Korea IP address?

Here’s our full rundown of the best VPNs you can use to switch your IP address to South Korea:

1. NordVPN

                    Jan 2023

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background
  • FireTV

Website: www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

NordVPN has one of the largest networks of any major VPN provider, with more than 5,000 servers spread across 60+ countries, including around a dozen in South Korea. This service offers high speeds and the ability to stream Korean TV from abroad. It allows up to six connections at once, so you can browse safely at home and on-the-go.

This service comes with a suite of advanced security features. There’s 256-bit encryption, an app-specific kill switch, and protection against port forwarding, IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks. That’s not all: NordVPN includes ad-blocking, malware-scanning, dual VPN, and Tor over VPN functionality. It doesn’t log any information which could identify you, and you can pay with Bitcoin if you’d like an extra layer of anonymity. Live, chat-based support is available 24/7.

NordVPN has apps for Windows, Android, Linux, MacOS, and iOS devices. It can be manually installed on supported wireless routers.

BEST VPN FOR SOUTH KOREA:NordVPN is our top choice. It’s a secure, speedy VPN that makes getting a South Korean IP address easy. Keeps no logs and comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Pros:

  • Major emphasis on security and privacy
  • No-logs policy
  • Faster than any of its rivals
  • Excellent unblocking abilities
  • Expansive server network

Cons:

  • Takes two clicks to disconnect

Our score:

Here’s our full review of NordVPN.

2. Surfshark

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website: www.Surfshark.com

Surfshark has over 3,200 speedy servers spread across South Korea and 60+ other countries. This means that it’s a strong choice whether you’re looking to watch KBS, SBS, or BBC channels. Best of all, while many other providers limit the number of connections you can have, Surfshark is happy for its users to secure every device they own simultaneously.

This VPN uses an app-specific kill switch, 256-bit encryption, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks to keep your activities hidden from snoopers. There’s also a toggleable NoBorders mode that lets you browse freely while traveling in countries like China. Surfshark accepts Bitcoin, Ripple, and Ethereum and doesn’t log any personally identifiable info. Live chat-based support staff are on-hand 24/7 just in case.

Surfshark provides iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, and MacOS apps. It can also be manually configured for use with select network routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is a low-cost provider with reliable Korean servers, great unblocking ability, and no connection limit. Still not convinced? There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Speedy and reliable

  • Works with many popular streaming platforms

  • Keeps you safe with cutting edge security features

  • Devotes a lot of app space to addon features

Read our full review of Surfshark here.

3. ExpressVPN

Website: www.ExpressVPN.com

ExpressVPN currently has more than 3,000 servers in 94 different countries, including South Korea. This service is fast enough to stream live HD video without any noticeable buffering, and since it also boasts strong streaming ability, you can use it to watch Korean platforms like EBS TV and SBS from anywhere.

This VPN uses 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch (in its desktop apps) to keep your activities private. Privacy-conscious users can sign up almost completely anonymously by paying with Bitcoin and using a disposable email address. ExpressVPN logs no personally identifiable information. Customer support is available 24/7 over live chat.

ExpressVPN apps are available for Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, and iOS. There’s also custom router firmware, making it easy to protect all of your devices at once.

FAST KOREAN SERVERS:ExpressVPN is a quick and reliable option for getting a South Korea IP address. It’s fast and secure, with excellent unblocking potential and a major focus on your privacy. It even includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Extremely fast download/streaming speeds

  • Anonymous payment option (Bitcoin) available

  • Solid privacy and security

  • Unblocks various Korean platforms

  • Slightly more expensive

Read our review of ExpressVPN.

4. CyberGhost

Website: www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

CyberGhost offers the most South Korean servers of any VPN in this list (30+) and has more than 7,500 in 90 countries globally. It’s a very fast service, and apps enable you to view the current load of each server, making it easy to gain a low-latency connection no matter where you are in the world. Additionally, CyberGhost permits up to seven simultaneous connections, while most of its rivals allow around five.

This service is extremely user-friendly and all of its security features are enabled by default. These include 256-bit encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, an automatic ad-blocker, a malware-scanner, and a kill switch (which is available in all versions). Perhaps most importantly, CyberGhost doesn’t log any information that could be traced back to you. If you run into any problems, you can reach customer support 24/7 via live chat.

CyberGhost offers apps for MacOS, Linux, Windows, iOS, and Android. Select internet routers are also supported, but require manual configuration.

POWERFUL, LOW-COST VPN:CyberGhost is a fast, easy-to-use VPN offering reliable, affordable protection and access to several South Korean servers. It even comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

  • Impressive streaming and downloading speeds

  • All security features enabled by default

  • Great for streaming

  • Keeps no logs

  • Less suitable for power users

  • Doesn’t work in China

Here’s our in-depth CyberGhost review.

5. IPVanish

Website: www.IPVanish.com

IPVanish currently has a few servers in South Korea and over 1,900 others across more than 60 countries. This service is fast enough to live stream HD video with no noticeable buffering, and best of all, it allows any number of simultaneous connections, so you’ll be able to protect all of your devices with a single account.

This VPN uses 256-bit encryption, IPv6 and DNS leak protection, and a kill switch (desktop apps only) to ensure you’re protected at all times. There’s also the option to block local connections, and obfuscate OpenVPN traffic if you’d like a more advanced security setup. IPVanish keeps no logs whatsoever, meaning they can’t provide details of your activities under any circumstances. Live chat is available 24/7 should you need any assistance.

BROWSE SAFELY ANYWHERE:IPVanish is a fast, log-free, highly secure VPN with multiple servers in South Korea. Its lack of a connection limit makes it ideal for users looking to protect lots of devices at once. IPVanish plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Use any number of devices simultaneously

  • Very fast speeds

  • Top-notch security and privacy considerations

  • Struggles with larger streaming platforms

  • Doesn’t accept Bitcoin

Read our full review of IPVanish.

6. PrivateVPN

Website: www.PrivateVPN.com

PrivateVPN might not have as many servers as some of its competitors (200 in total, throughout 63 countries including South Korea), but it does offer blazing fast speeds. It’s effective at bypassing geo-restriction measures and would be a strong choice for anyone looking to use platforms like EBS TV or TV Chosun abroad.

256-bit encryption is enabled by default, but PrivateVPN includes a kill switch (Windows only), and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. This service has a strict no-logs policy and allows users to pay with Bitcoin, so there’s no risk of your activities being traced back to you. PrivateVPN’s live chat support service is available 22 hours per day (excluding 1-3PM PST), and with your permission, the staff can remotely install or configure the software for you.

PrivateVPN apps can be downloaded for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. It works on Linux and select wireless routers with manual installation.

RELIABLE, HIGH-SPEED BROWSING:PrivateVPN provides fast, consistent connections to its South Korean server and doesn’t keep any logs whatsoever. There’s even a 30-day money-back guarantee so you have nothing to lose by trying it.

  • Speeds are good enough for high-quality streaming

  • Zero-logs provider

  • Provides a secure, encrypted connection

  • Doesn’t have 24/7 live chat

  • Fewer servers to choose from than other providers higher on this list

Here’s our full review of PrivateVPN.

7. VyprVPN

Website: www.VyprVPN.com

VyprVPN has around self-owned 700 servers in 70+ locations including South Korea. Better still, it’s fast enough for uninterrupted streaming and works with a huge range of platforms. Whether you’re looking to watch KBS, Netflix, or Disney Plus, this service is a strong choice. VyprVPN is great for sharing too, since one subscription allows for up to 30 simultaneous connections.

This VPN takes your security seriously. It boasts 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and support for the WireGuard protocol. You can even configure it to connect automatically any time you use an unsecured network. Not only that, it’s been independently audited to prove that it keeps no logs. If you run into any issues, you can reach customer support 24/7 over email or live chat.

VyprVPN has apps for iOS, Android, MacOS, and Linux. You can also manually install it on supported home routers to protect your whole network.

ZERO-LOGS VPN:VyprVPN offers steady speeds, a wealth of security tools, and a no-logs policy. In other words, it’s perfect for streaming Korean TV without compromising on privacy. A 30-day money-back guarantee is included too.

  • Excellent security and privacy features

  • Easy to use desktop and mobile apps

  • Works well with popular streaming services

  • Speeds have room for improvement

  • Only has one Korean server

Check out our full review of VyprVPN.

As free VPNs don’t charge the user upfront, they find other ways to make money. You’ll almost always find that they insert ads into the pages you visit, but the real problem is that some services resort to shadier methods. For instance, some store tracking cookies on your device that allow them to keep track of which websites you visit and how often. This data is recorded over long periods of time and once enough has been collected, it’s sold to advertisers, most commonly without your knowledge.

Unfortunately, there are people looking to take advantage of your interest in online privacy. One study tested more than 280 free VPN apps and concluded that nearly 40% included malware. Equally troubling, 66% leaked personal information over DNS, and 18% (22 services) never used any encryption whatsoever. 

To be as safe as possible, we recommend using a reputable VPN that puts user privacy first.

You should note, however, that some services have more advanced geo-blocking measures than others. For example, you may have to provide a local address or phone number during registration or use a payment method that’s only available in a particular country. These restrictions allow South Koreans who are currently abroad to sign up, while making it very difficult for foreign users.

Public wifi networks are a convenient way to stay connected in a foreign country, but they come with several disadvantages. Firstly, they often place arbitrary restrictions on which sites you can visit. Second, your activities may be monitored, and it’s difficult to tell who by. Finally, these networks are a prime target for hackers as they’re often poorly secured. A VPN fixes all of these issues: their encryption prevents anyone from seeing what you do online, and since your traffic is routed through another country, you can access any site regardless of whether it’s blocked or not.

Additionally, unlike in other parts of the world, South Korean law does not consider the truth to be a valid defense against defamation: if a person’s reputation is damaged by what you post, you can still be charged. These laws are often used to silence critics of the government or those who reveal information which is arguably in the public interest.