A VPN connected to a US server unblocks American channels and Netflix US from South Korea, and West Coast locations such as Los Angeles are the closest US servers to Korea. In our November tests on Los Angeles servers, five free US networks and Netflix US played on NordVPN, Proton VPN, and ExpressVPN. We’d go with NordVPN for peed, while Proton VPN costs the least once its first term ends.
US TV in South Korea: Setup for 2026
- Sign up with NordVPN and add its app to your phone, computer, or TV.
- Select Los Angeles or another West Coast server.
- Go to the channel’s website or app, such as CBS News or NBC.
- Choose a live stream or a free episode and start watching.
Choosing a US Server From Korea
Connect to a server on the US West Coast. Los Angeles and Seattle are the nearest US server locations to Korea, so the connection covers less distance than one through New York. The three VPNs have servers in both cities.
In November, we speed-tested each VPN’s Los Angeles server against our 190.36 Mbps baseline in Europe, and each one was fast enough for 4K streaming. Viewers in Korea will see different figures from our European test PC.
Free American Channels in South Korea
These five networks play free with no sign-up, and none of them detected a VPN on our Los Angeles connections:
- CBS News 24/7: CBS’s live news channel
- ABC News Live: ABC’s 24-hour news stream
- NBC: shows and clips on NBC.com
- PBS: free shows on pbs.org
- Fox: the LiveNOW from FOX stream
ABC’s broadcast channel is separate: watching it live requires a US pay-TV login, as our guide to watching ABC abroad explains. Paid US streaming subscriptions, such as YouTube TV, also require a US payment card, so a Korean card won’t complete the sign-up.
Netflix US and American Streaming Services
Netflix shows each country its own library and sets yours by the country of your IP address, so an existing Korean Netflix account switches to the American catalog on a US server. The US library loaded on every VPN we tested.
For US subscribers living in Korea, our streaming tests also covered Hulu, HBO Max, and Peacock. NordVPN and ExpressVPN unblocked the three, while Proton VPN unblocked HBO Max and Peacock but couldn’t unblock Hulu. Our streaming VPN guide has the full results.
Best VPNs for US TV in South Korea
1. NordVPN: Best for American TV in Korea
Pros
- Unblocked Hulu, HBO Max, and Peacock
- SmartDNS for smart TVs
- Ad and malware blocking
Cons
- Higher renewal price
NordVPN recorded 168.13 Mbps on Los Angeles, an 11.7% speed loss, ahead of Proton VPN and ExpressVPN. It unblocked the free channels and Netflix US on the same server, and NordVPN’s US server network includes Seattle as a second West Coast choice.
NordVPN charges about $66 for a year of the Basic plan, or about $94 for the 27-month term, and both renew at about $139 a year.
2. Proton VPN: Best Value at Renewal
Pros
- Lower renewal price than NordVPN and ExpressVPN
- Free plan with US servers
- HBO Max and Peacock unblocked
Cons
- No Smart DNS for TVs
Proton VPN came in at 137.77 Mbps, a 27.6% speed loss, and unblocked the same networks and Netflix US. In our wider streaming tests, though, Hulu blocked it.
Proton VPN’s renewal rate is about $84 a year, after a first term of about $48 for one year or about $72 for two.
3. ExpressVPN: Best for Beginners
Pros
- Simple apps for first-time users
- MediaStreamer for smart TVs and consoles
- Browser extension with location spoofing
Cons
- Little customization
- No split tunneling on iOS
ExpressVPN recorded 124.24 Mbps, a 34.7% speed loss. HD and 4K streams require a fraction of that, and it unblocked Netflix US and the five networks without issues. ExpressVPN sells its Basic plan as a 15-month term for about $75 or a 28-month term for about $84, with renewals at about $100 a year.
Free VPNs for US TV in Korea
On the free side, Windscribe’s and PrivadoVPN’s no-cost tiers unblocked ABC and CBS, each capped at 10 GB a month. That allowance covers a few hours of HD video, so a paid VPN is the better fit for regular viewing. Both appear in our free VPN guide.
Verdict
NordVPN comes first for US TV in South Korea. Beyond the free networks and Netflix US, it passed our Hulu, HBO Max, and Peacock checks, which helps US subscribers who keep paid accounts.
Proton VPN is the cheaper VPN to keep after the first term, and ExpressVPN has the simplest apps for first-time users.
US TV in South Korea FAQ
Can you watch US TV in South Korea?
Yes. With a US VPN server, American networks and Netflix's US library become available in South Korea, and several US news channels stream free without an account.
Which US server works best from South Korea?
Los Angeles or Seattle. West Coast cities are the nearest part of the US to South Korea, so traffic crosses the Pacific without also crossing the country to New York.
Is it legal to use a VPN in South Korea?
Yes. South Korea doesn't ban VPN use, though Netflix and other streaming services can still block VPN connections under their own terms of use.
Can Korean cards pay for US streaming services?
No. Hulu, YouTube TV, and Peacock require a US-issued card at checkout, so viewers in Korea are limited to free channels and services they already pay for, such as Netflix.
Do free VPNs work for US TV in South Korea?
Some do, within limits. Windscribe and PrivadoVPN free offer US servers that unblock ABC and CBS, but their 10 GB monthly allowances are used up after roughly three hours of HD video.