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How to Watch Rakuten Viki from Anywhere: VPN Guide 2026
When JTBC aired the first episode of My Youth with Song Joong-ki in September 2025, fans around the world could watch it almost in step with the Korean premiere in just one place: Rakuten Viki. That near-simulcast speed, paired with community subtitles in 150-plus languages, is exactly why Viki became the home address for Asian drama lovers. Watching Rakuten Viki abroad still runs into regional licensing, though, so the catalogue shifts country by country and some titles vanish once you cross a border.
The library is open in 185 countries today, yet the moment you travel for work or holiday, your home lineup changes. The fix is Surfshark: connect to a server back in your own country, let the app read a home IP, and your half-finished dramas plus the free ad-supported tier load right back in. Picture quality stays up to 1080p and the subtitles still arrive in your language.
1,500+
Total titles
185
Countries
1080p
Max quality
4 of 7
VPNs work
2-3 min
Ready in
Quick answer
Does Rakuten Viki work abroad?
Yes, but the catalogue follows regional licensing, so part of your lineup disappears once you leave home. Install Surfshark, connect to a server in your home country, then reopen the app. You will see the same selection you had at home, including shows you started, and playback runs up to 1080p. The free ad-supported tier and Viki Pass both behave exactly as they do at home.
VPN Compatibility
Best VPN for Rakuten Viki
Tested weekly by our team. Green: works, amber: partial, red: blocked.
Tested on July 6, 2026 · 7 VPNs, 4 working · residential IP from the United States · Rakuten Viki updates detection continuously, results may change.
⚠️
Streaming service blocking your VPN? Just disconnect and hop onto a different server in the same country. Stick to the ones labeled “streaming” or “optimized” because they’re literally built for this.
How-to
How to Unblock Rakuten Viki with a VPN
Takes about 2 minutes. Works on your phone, tablet, TV, PC, or laptop.
1
Pick a reliable VPN
Go with Surfshark from $1.78 a month. Look for plenty of servers, fast connections and an app for your smart TV.
An annual plan costs less, and a 30-day money-back guarantee covers your test run.
2
Connect to your home country
Open the VPN and choose a server in your own country. That hands the app a home IP and clears the regional catalogue limits.
3
Sign in to Viki
Launch the Viki app or website and log into your account. Your started shows and free streaming load just like they do at home.
4
Start watching
Pick a drama and press play. Video goes up to 1080p and the community subtitles appear in your language.
Ready to watch Rakuten Viki without borders?
Surfshark: risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee
This overall 1-10 score combines value, reliability, and VPN compatibility into one editorial verdict. Higher = better overall experience.
9.0
Value
This 1-10 score rates the value for money: content and features vs. price. Higher = better deal. 10 = outstanding offer. 5 = market average.
8.0
Reliability
This 1-10 score rates the reliability of streams, apps, and the service overall: higher = fewer technical issues. 10 = no outages. 5 = occasional minor glitches.
7.0
Works with VPN
This 1-10 score shows how easily the platform unblocks with a VPN: higher is better. 10 = works with any service. 5 = you’ll need a premium VPN from the table above.
Availability
Which countries is Rakuten Viki available in?
Rakuten Viki is available in 185 countries, including in the United States, in the United Kingdom, in Australia, in Canada and in New Zealand. It is blocked in only 5 countries.
Rakuten Viki works without a VPN in the United States, in the United Kingdom, in Australia, in Canada, in New Zealand, in Ireland and in Germany, plus in 178 more countries.
Rakuten Viki also works in Afghanistan, in China, in Russia and in Ukraine, but with limited content compared to fully available countries. Surfshark unlocks full access.
Rakuten Viki is blocked in the British Virgin Islands, in Cuba, in Iran, in North Korea and in Syria. To access it, use a premium VPN like Surfshark.
Available
Partial
Blocked / unavailable
Last tested: June 20, 2026
⚠️
Steer clear of free VPNs. Most of them actually collect and sell your data, lack proper security audits, and can even expose you to malware. They’re also useless for streaming. Platforms block them instantly, leaving you with more headaches than solutions. Stick to paid VPNs with verified audits, like Surfshark, if you want something that actually works.
Rakuten Viki is the streaming service operated by Japanese group Rakuten, dedicated to Asian drama and pop-culture content. The catalogue leans heavily on Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese, Thai and Japanese drama, often streaming new episodes on their original broadcast day. Viki’s distinctive feature is the community-driven subtitle system that covers more than 150 languages, built by volunteer translators and particularly strong for less-common language pairs. A free ad-supported tier is available worldwide, with Viki Pass Standard at 7.99 $ removing advertising.
The first screen you see when you open Rakuten Viki.
Company and history
Major changes
Razmig Hovaghimian, Changseong Ho and Jiwon Moon found Viki, a name fusing video and wiki. The project starts as a language-learning tool built on subtitled videos.
Viki leaves beta and opens to the general public. A community of volunteer translators builds subtitles for Asian dramas in dozens of languages at once.
Japanese group Rakuten buys Viki for a reported 200 million dollars. The acquisition gives the service financial backing and a path to a wider global audience.
Viki launches its first-ever International K-Drama Day on November 29, an event celebrating Korean pop culture with free shows, prizes and talent exclusives.
Viki begins gradually adjusting Viki Pass subscription prices in select countries. The changes roll out market by market, with the final amount depending on the user region.
Viki exclusively premieres the drama My Youth with Song Joong-ki across the US, Latin America and Europe, landing almost in step with the JTBC broadcast in Korea.
The April slate opens with the exclusive premiere of the much-anticipated Yumi’s Cells 3. Viki cements a strategy built on simulcasting fresh Korean releases.
Viki announces its own original series Dive Into You with Kim Ji-yeon and Park Seo-ham, stepping in as co-producer and investor. The premiere is slated to run globally on Viki only.
Trust signals
App Store
4.8 / 5
Google Play
4.8 / 5
Content & Catalog
What to watch on Rakuten Viki?
1,500+
Total titles
~20
New titles/month
10
Max offline downloads
Content TypesMovies · Series · Anime · Originals · Offline
SubtitlesEnglish · Czech · German · Spanish · French · Italian · Portuguese · Polish · Romanian · Greek · Arabic
Payment methodsCredit card · Debit card · PayPal · Apple Pay · Google Pay · Gift card
Offline downloadsUp to 720p offline · Download expires after 30 days
Zhang Xiaofan, who turned into an orphan overnight, becomes a disciple of the Qingyun Sect. After five years of training, he performs well in the Seven Peak Martial Arts Competition. He's sent to the Kongsang Mountain to defeat the evil. During the journey, he and his senior, Lu Xueqi, met with an accident, and got to know and save the lady of the cult, Bi Yao. At the same time, new danger is ahead of him.
Jade Dynasty
★ 8.12022
#2TV
While hiding a kidnapped target, a contract killer’s cover unravels when he falls for the detective hunting the truth.
The Lie We Lived In
★ 8.42026
#3TV
The general's daughter, Chu Zhao, refuses to accept her fate as nothing more than a pawn to be sacrificed in Xiao Xun's rise to power. Taking matters into her own hands, she fights her way out with the help of Xie Yanlai, protecting the emperor's grandson as he makes his way to the emperor's presence. Through a tense standoff in the imperial court, she helps the young prince secure the throne, cutting off Xiao Xun's path to power. But with a new emperor comes new crises. The realm is torn by internal strife and foreign threats. Working alongside Xie Yanlai, Chu Zhao navigates the treacherous currents of the court, leads troops into battle, and ultimately rewrites her own destiny, sparing the people of the State of Chu from the ravages of war.
Ashes to Crown
★ 7.52026
#4TV
After a powerful conglomerate chairman is betrayed by his children and wakes up in the body of a young soccer player, he uses his business genius and athletic physique to seek ultimate revenge against his family.
Reborn Rookie
★ 7.52026
#5TV
A grieving student pursuing priesthood faces a crisis of faith when he falls for a troubled new classmate in a world ruled by strict dogma.
Ticket to Heaven
★ 9.32026
#6TV
After a family emergency, Qing Ye returned to her hometown in her senior year of high school. Finding it difficult to adjust after spending most of her life in a bustling city, Qing Ye vows to leave as soon as she gets a chance. But when she meets Xing Wu, a local teen who's struggling with school, she resolves to help him graduate. Gradually, Xing Wu and Qing Ye grow closer to each other, despite their different personalities and priorities in life. Upon graduating high school, Qing Ye moves away for university, but ends up returning years later, and so does Xing Wu, who still has feelings for Qing Ye. Will this second chance give them a chance to finally realize their feelings for each other?
Dazzling
★ 7.52026
#7TV
Three seemingly ordinary but deadly uncles, whose fate sets them in motion again. It depicts the everyday lives of three middle-aged men, who have lived 50% of their lives, and the realistic comedy of these uncles who are even sadder because they were successful in their past.
Fifties Professionals
★ 5.92026
#8TV
Zhan Zhao, a fourth-ranked imperial guard, embarks on a solo investigation after receiving evidence of a cold case. Along the way, he encounters the strong-willed Miss Huo Linglong and the justice-driven Bai Yutang. The three like-minded companions join forces to uncover clues, uphold justice, and capture criminals. Together, they work to expose a dangerous web of power that has infiltrated both the court and the martial world, ultimately restoring peace to the people.
Zhan Zhao Adventures
★ 7.22026
#9TV
A plastic-spoon man is on his way to becoming a legendary army cook, uncovering dark secrets within the base through his cooking skills.
The Legend of Kitchen Soldier
★ 8.52026
#10TV
Years after being torn apart by family and fate, two former lovers reunite as boss and employee, forced to confront a love they can't escape.
Double Helix
★ 7.32026
#11TV
After years away from her family, Gu Jinzhao returns home and begins a remarkable transformation, from a carefree young woman into a poised and influential noble lady. As questions of marriage arise, she refuses to follow tradition and holds firmly to her own beliefs about love. But when multiple men enter her life, each offering a different future, who will Gu Jinzhao choose?
A Splendid Match
★ 9.42026
#12TV
In 1997, a disappearance inside an elevator pulls detectives He Yuanhang and Ran Fangxu into a twisted mystery. Facing doubt and confusion along the way, they press on to uncover the truth. As time moves on, they heal from life's uncertainties, hold fast to justice, and rise above hardship with resilience and hope.
5 tips from our Rakuten Viki testing team · Updated June 20, 2026
1
Choose the annual Viki Pass Standard over paying $7.99 a month and you save noticeably across a full year of ad-free streaming.
2
Sample a few episodes on the free, ad-supported tier first to confirm the dramas you want aren't region-blocked where you live.
3
Travelling and hitting this content is not available in your region? Connect through Surfshark to a server in a country where your titles are licensed.
4
Only step up to Pass Plus if you need offline downloads, four simultaneous streams and the smart-TV apps; otherwise cheaper Standard already removes ads.
5
Switch on Timed Comments to watch K-dramas with fans' live reactions floating over the video, recreating a group watch-along.
Alternatives
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know before subscribing to Rakuten Viki.
Not necessarily. The free ad-supported tier works abroad too, but you hit the same regional catalogue limits as paid Viki Pass. The key is Surfshark with a server in your home country: it shows the app a home IP and restores the lineup you had at home. After that it makes no difference whether you stream for free or on a subscription.
Yes, using a VPN is legal in the vast majority of countries, and Surfshark simply encrypts your connection. At most you bend the terms of service, not the law. Viki restricts access for licensing reasons, not because VPNs are banned. To stay comfortable, read the terms of service and respect the local legal framework of the country you are currently in.
Yes, Viki is one of the services where Smart DNS usually works and slows your connection less than a full VPN. The trade-off is that Smart DNS does not encrypt traffic and breaks more easily when Viki tightens detection. Surfshark is the more versatile pick because it pairs region unblocking with privacy protection in one place.
Video on Viki goes up to 1080p, which is plenty for dramas and romance series. The higher quality is unlocked by paid Viki Pass; the free tier runs at lower quality with ads. Quality does not change through Surfshark, just pick a fast server so the picture does not stutter and the subtitles keep pace with the story.
Netflix has plenty of Korean dramas, but Viki puts them front and centre and often airs them almost in step with the Korean broadcast. It also offers community subtitles in 150-plus languages built by fans themselves. If you mainly watch Asian drama, Viki is the more specialised home. With Surfshark you can reach the home catalogue of both services.
Yes, paid Viki Pass lets you download episodes into the mobile app for offline viewing, so a flight or a dead zone will not cost you your drama. Downloaded titles carry a limited window and count. Grab them at home before you leave. If you would rather stream live, use Surfshark with a server in your country.
Regional licensing is the reason: a studio sells the rights to a drama only for certain countries, so the Viki catalogue shifts market by market. When you travel, the app reads your foreign IP and hides titles it has not licensed there. Surfshark with a home server rewrites that address and brings back your original lineup and started episodes.
Yes, but not every TV supports VPNs natively. The safest route is to install Surfshark straight on your router, or use the app on devices like Apple TV or Fire TV where Viki runs. Smart DNS is a second path. Choose a VPN with an app for your TV platform so you avoid awkward setup through a computer.
Unlock every Rakuten Viki library worldwide
Surfshark lets you switch country and stream what Rakuten Viki keeps in other regions. Risk-free 30-day money-back.