KBS WORLD Mobile vs Hankook TV
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
KBS WORLD Mobile
Access a wide range of content from South Korea's public broadcaster, including Hallyu programs, news, and cultural shows. Stream live TV, VOD, and podcasts in multiple languages, with bookmarking features for easy access.
- Live TV streaming
- On-demand video (VOD)
- Podcasts in multiple languages
- Latest news and current affairs
- Hallyu program content
- Content bookmarking
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Enjoy various content created by South Korea’s flagship public broadcaster KBS! KBS WORLD TV provides well-made Hallyu programs in different languages. KBS WORLD Radio offers the latest news and other contents in 11 languages. KBS KOREA serves as the go-to channel for the entire Korean diaspora. KBS WORLD is the window to Korea. [Key Features] - Full schedule for KBS WORLD channels - On-air streaming, VOD, Podcasts for KBS WORLD’s content • VOD service for various Hallyu content • 24hr audio/kpop streaming and podcasts available in multiple languages - Content covering news, current affairs, culture and entertainment available in multiple languages - Languages: English, Korean, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese - Content can be bookmarked for future viewing [Required Access Permissions] - Storage : Required to save basic app information and for use of application ※ How to control app permissions: Settings > KBS WORLD Mobile [Requirements] - Languages: English, Korean, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese - Compatibility: iOS devices using iOS 10.0 or later * Contact : rki@kbs.co.kr
Hankook TV
Stream unlimited Korean TV shows, movies, and US local news with licensed content. Enjoy K-dramas, entertainment, cultural programs, and original news broadcasts in high definition across multiple devices. Offers multilingual support and specialized channels.
- Unlimited Korean TV shows and movies
- US Local News and 24/7 Korean News
- Licensed and affordable streaming
- Multilingual support (English/Korean)
- Original production content
- Specialized channels for seniors and hobbies
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HANKOOK TV is a free Korean-language broadcast service for Korean Americans, operated by The Korea Times Los Angeles. No sign-up, no fees — watching starts the moment you open the app. Enjoy YTN 24-hour news live, original programs and community news produced by HANKOOK TV, and a curated selection of Korean-language videos on current affairs, business, health, and lifestyle. Available on mobile and at tvhankook.com, anywhere in the U.S.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: KBS WORLD Mobile at 4.5 against Hankook TV's 3.6. KBS WORLD Mobile also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.0). Hankook TV's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 7 months). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Hankook TV sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. KBS WORLD Mobile asks for nothing beyond the download.
KBS WORLD Mobile holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 22 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 70% of KBS WORLD Mobile's written reviews are positive against 75% of Hankook TV's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
KBS WORLD Mobile ships an update every 7 months, Hankook TV monthly. Both last shipped on November 11, 2026.
| Parameter | KBS WORLD Mobile | Hankook TV |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (13 ratings) — better | 3.6 (22 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 69.7% of reviews | 75.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 13 | 22 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 10.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 14 MB | 0 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | KBS Media Co. | The Korea Times USA |
Customer experience
KBS WORLD Mobile
Hankook TV
In-app purchases
KBS WORLD Mobile
No in-app purchases
Hankook TV
- Web/Mobile14 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Web/Mobile 1 Month$9.99
- Web/Mobile 1 Year$99.99
