Apps to watch subtitled doramas
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If you prefer to listen to the actors' original voices and follow the story with subtitles, you know it's not always easy to find a reliable app to watch subtitled doramas. Sometimes the episode cuts off right at the best part, an ad pops up out of nowhere and you don't know how to close it to get back to your series. That feeling of frustration is more common than it seems, and that's why we prepared this guide especially for you. Here we are going to show you four excellent applications to watch doramas with subtitles!
1. Kocowa: Korean premieres almost in real time
Kocowa was born from the main South Korean television networks, which is why it has access to doramas almost at the same time they are broadcast in Korea. It is one of the best options if you like to keep up with the latest releases and prefer to listen to the original language with subtitles.
Advantages and features of Kocowa
- Very fast premieres, almost simultaneous with the original Korean broadcast.
- Spanish subtitles available for a large part of the catalog.
- Simple interface, easy to understand even if you don't have much experience with apps.
- Favorites list to save the doramas you want to watch later.
- Good image and sound quality, even with moderate internet.
- Additional content such as Korean variety shows.
Is it available for Android and iOS?
Yes, Kocowa can be downloaded on both Android and iPhone.
How to download on Android:
- Open the Play Store.
- Type "Kocowa" in the search bar.
- Tap "Install".
- Wait for it to finish and open the application.
How to download on iOS:
- Open the App Store.
- Search for "Kocowa".
- Tap "Get".
- Confirm with Face ID, fingerprint, or your Apple password.
- Open the app when the download is complete.
Is it free or paid?
Kocowa offers a limited-time free trial and then continues with a paid monthly subscription. We recommend taking advantage of the free trial before deciding whether to continue with the paid plan.
How to close ads on Kocowa
Being a subscription app, it has very few ads, but if one appears:
- Look for the small "X" in the upper corner of the screen and tap it.
- If it's a video ad before a chapter, wait for the countdown and tap "Skip" when that option appears.
- Never tap the center of the ad, always look for the "X" first.
2. Crunchyroll: much more than anime
Although Crunchyroll is best known for anime, in recent years it has added an increasingly large catalog of subtitled Asian dramas, especially Japanese and Korean. It's an excellent option if you also like other Asian content.
Advantages and features of Crunchyroll
- Varied catalog that combines dramas, anime, and other Asian content.
- High-quality and well-synchronized Spanish subtitles.
- Episode download feature for offline viewing.
- Personalized recommendations based on what you've already watched.
- Constant updates with new titles every season.
- Option to create a personalized list with your favorite series.
Is it available for Android and iOS?
Yes, Crunchyroll has an app for both systems.
How to download on Android:
- Open the Play Store.
- Search for "Crunchyroll".
- Tap "Install".
- Open the app once downloaded.
How to download on iOS:
- Open the App Store.
- Type "Crunchyroll" in the search bar.
- Tap "Get".
- Confirm with Face ID, fingerprint, or password.
- Open the app when the installation is complete.
Is it free or paid?
Crunchyroll has a free plan with ads and several paid plans (Fan, Mega Fan, among others) that remove advertising and add benefits such as unlimited downloads. You can easily start with the free version.
How to close ads on Crunchyroll
- Before starting a chapter, an ad with a counter usually appears. Wait for it to reach zero and tap "Skip ad".
- If a pop-up window appears while browsing, look for the "X" in the upper right corner and tap it.
- If the ad accidentally redirects you to another page, use your phone's "back" button to return to the app without a problem.
3. Viki: the community that loves K-dramas
Viki is one of the favorite platforms for K-drama fans thanks to its huge catalog and the fact that many subtitles are created by its own community, which gives a close and very careful touch to the translations.
Viki's advantages and features
- Extensive catalog of Korean and other Asian K-dramas.
- Spanish subtitles available for most content.
- Active community that comments on episodes within the app.
- "Watchlist" feature to organize your pending series.
- Adjustable video quality according to your connection.
- Simultaneous premieres with the original broadcast for users with a paid plan.
Is it available for Android and iOS?
Yes, Viki has an app for Android and iPhone.
How to download on Android:
- Go to the Play Store.
- Type "Viki" in the search bar.
- Tap "Install".
- Open the app when the download is complete.
How to download on iOS:
- Open the App Store.
- Search for "Viki: Dramas & More".
- Tap "Get".
- Confirm with Face ID, fingerprint, or password.
- Open the app once installed.
Is it free or paid?
Viki has a free version with ads and a paid Viki Pass plan that removes advertising and unlocks exclusive content. The free version is perfect for getting started.
How to close ads on Viki
- When starting a chapter, it's normal to see a timed ad. Wait for the countdown to finish and tap "Skip Ad".
- If a pop-up appears while browsing, look for the "X" in the top corner and tap it carefully.
- If the ad takes up the entire screen and you don't immediately see the "X", wait a few seconds: it usually appears after a moment.
4. Netflix: the classic you can't miss
Netflix is probably the most well-known streaming platform in the world, and in recent years it has invested heavily in Korean dramas, both its own productions and licenses for very popular series. It's ideal if you're looking for a reliable app with good image quality and no complications.
Advantages and features of Netflix
- Constantly growing catalog of Korean dramas, including Netflix original productions.
- Subtitles available in Spanish and many other languages.
- Episode download feature for offline viewing.
- Automatic playback of the next episode, ideal for binge-watching series.
- Individual profiles within the same account, so each family member has their own recommendations.
- High image quality, even in 4K resolution on some plans.
Is it available for Android and iOS?
Yes, Netflix has an app for both Android and iPhone.
How to download on Android:
- Open the Play Store.
- Search for "Netflix".
- Tap "Install".
- Open the app once the download is complete.
How to download on iOS:
- Open the App Store.
- Type "Netflix" in the search bar.
- Tap "Get".
- Confirm with Face ID, fingerprint, or password.
- Open the application when the installation is complete.
Is it free or paid?
Netflix is a paid platform, with different monthly subscription plans (some with ads and others without them). It does not have a completely free version, but it often offers promotions or free trials in some countries, so it's worth checking if any are available for you.
How to close ads on Netflix
If you chose the standard plan with ads, it's important to know that:
- Ads on Netflix usually appear before or during the episode, and normally cannot be skipped immediately: you have to wait for them to finish.
- If an interactive ad with a button appears, you can tap it to interact or simply wait for the video to continue automatically.
- If you want to avoid ads completely, you can switch to an ad-free plan from your account settings, in the "Subscription plan" section.
What are the advantages of watching subtitled doramas on a specialized app?
- The original audio remains intact, with well-synchronized subtitles.
- The episodes are complete, without cuts or broken links.
- They are secure platforms, without risk of viruses or dangerous pop-ups.
- They have catalogs organized by genre, country, and popularity.
- They are constantly updated with new releases.
Final tips for your dorama marathon
- Always verify that your application is updated; the most recent versions usually improve how ads are closed.
- If you are going to travel or know that you won't have a good signal, download the episodes in advance using Wi-Fi.
- Explore each app's settings menu to adjust subtitle language to your preference.
- If an ad doesn't close after several attempts, completely close the application and open it again: your progress is automatically saved.
With Kocowa, Crunchyroll, Viki, and Netflix, you have four excellent alternatives to enjoy your subtitled K-dramas without complications. Choose the one that best suits your taste and budget, and get ready to experience your favorite stories with the original voices you love so much.