KOCOWA+, A Beginners Guide to Streaming the Korean Content Wave

It’s 2020, and the year of the rat has been kind to Korean content makers. Thanks to “Parasite” Korean content has exploded worldwide! In the words of Bong Joon Ho (writer & director, “Parasite”): “Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films (& content).” And KOCOWA+ is here to bring Korean entertainment direct from Seoul to the Americas. 

1. What is KOCOWA? 

KOCOWA stands for the Korean Content Wave. KOCOWA+ is a subscription streaming site that provides English subtitles for all Korean entertainment within six hours after the program has aired in Korea. So for fans who can’t stand waiting even a day for their shows (erm, “Running Man,” anyone?). KOCOWA+ is where you’ll be able to find every program fully subtitled without having to wait. Speaking of fast subtitles, KOCOWA+ also subtitles all new dramas in Portuguese in addition to fan-favorites, like “Weightlifting Fairy, Kim Bok-Joo”.

 

2. Where Can I Watch KOCOWA+?

KOCOWA+ currently has its own site kocowa.com and app on iOS and GooglePlay. Users are also able to enjoy KOCOWA+ through AndroidTV, Chromecast, Xfinity X1 & Flex, Xumo, AppleTV, Roku, and coming soon on SmartTVs! 

Some of you might be saying, “But I can watch KOCOWA+ on Viki and OnDemandKorea!” Well, you won’t be getting the full KOCOWA+ library, and you won’t be benefiting from our exclusive features – uploads as fast as 6 hours, premium English subtitles, and LIVE broadcasts of the weekly K-Pop music programs! Although our programming is provided to our partners, they sometimes opt out of our subtitles for fan-generated ones which can take days to publish. 

3. Why Can’t I Watch Korean Cable Shows Like “Crash Landing on You” on KOCOWA+? 

KOCOWA+ is a joint venture between South Korea’s three largest broadcasting networks: KBS, MBC, and SBS. Therefore, KOCOWA+ airs content from the Big 3’s extensive lineup. Although we don’t house titles from other cable networks, our library includes up-and-coming titles like “Nobody Knows” and goes way back to the classics like “Stairway to Heaven” and  “Full House”. 

4. In What Countries Can I Access KOCOWA+? 

Currently, KOCOWA+ is available to North, South, Central Americas, Europe and Oceania residents.

5. What Are Some Must-See Shows?

Nobody Knows

This new drama revolves around Detective Young Jin, from the regional investigation unit, who has only one thing on her mind, and that’s to solve as many criminal cases as possible as a way to atone for her friend’s murder 19 years ago. Then one day one of these criminal cases hits too close to home again. Her neighbor’s son, Eun Ho, seems to have mysteriously fallen off the roof of a hotel and left in a coma. Ruled as an apparent suicide attempt by the authorities, Young Jin senses foul play and decides to take it upon herself to get to the bottom of it. With the help of Eun Ho’s homeroom teacher, Sun Woo, both begin to uncover that Eun Ho’s injuries were no accident.

 

Running Man

Need a laugh? Korea’s most popular variety program for the last 10 years. Does “Running Man” really need an introduction? Admit it, you’ve been completely entertained by Yoo Jae-suk and his team who are capable of non-stop banter. What’s more fun than one-legged races, eating ramen on a rollercoaster, or playing hide and seek in an entire department store? Hot Tip! “Running Man” is also available with Spanish subtitles! Yes, you read that right, Español baby!

 

Dr. Romantic 2

“Dr. Romantic” is back with season 2 and is off to an amazing start with everyone’s favorite, Teacher Kim! This time he’s starting the season off with the book smart Dr. Eun-jae and the headstrong Dr. Hyo-seop, two rookies ready to take names and kick ass, but quickly see that there’s much to learn at the hospital. Don’t miss a special cameo from one of the doctors from season one! Can you guess which one? The series was so popular that the final episodes even peaked at 22.1%.

 

Home Alone

If Idols and vlogs are more of your thing, then Home Alone is where it’s at. Spend your day watching celebrities in their downtime when they’re not promoting their next album or drama. Nothing screams ‘Vicarious Living’ more than watching a group of hilarious comedians visit all the hip hotspots in Korea. With guest celebrities such as Henry, Hwasa (Mamamoo), and Sung Hoon, what’s not to like? 

 

Woman of 9.9 Billion

In the drama, “Woman of 9.9 Billion,” actress Cho Yeo Jung comes to us fresh off the critically acclaimed film “Parasite.” In contrast to her character who lived in the comfortable lap of luxury and suburbia, Yeo Jung plays the role of a mistreated housewife known as Jung SeoYeon who happens upon 9.9 Billion Won (roughly $9 Million USD). She puts up an epic fight to try and survive with the help of her frenemy’s sleazy husband, Lee Ji-hoon, her cohort in helping her keep the money.

Stove League

When we say we’ve got something everyone, we mean it! “Stove League” will be a home run for all sports aficionados. Baek Seung Su becomes the newly appointed general manager of the baseball team called, Dreams. A team that has consistently ranked at the bottom of the league year after year. It is up to Seung Su and his staff to scout, train, and prepare the best players available while combating the illegal practices of their competitors. Check out what really goes on behind the scenes in baseball locker rooms!

6. Exclusive Webcomics to Read!

We’ve heard about webtoons turning into K-dramas, but have you heard of K-dramas having their own webcomics? KOCOWA+ has now launched webcomics based on one of the most beloved rom-com dramas of all time, “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo” starring Lee Sung Kyoung and Nam Joo Hyuk. And on July 19, the ‘Best Drama’ of the ‘2023 MBC Drama Awards and the prestigious ’60th Baeksang Arts Awards,’ “My Dearest,” also launched its own webcomics and they are both available on KOCOWA+. Not only this, there are many more webcomics to come so please stay tuned!

Excerpts were used in this article from a previously written article (‘Ko-Ko-What? No! It’s KOCOWA!’ From 5/2/19)by Jae-Ha Kim. Be sure to follow @GoAwayWithJae.