Viki, officially known as Rakuten Viki, is a global streaming platform focused on Asian content — dramas, movies, variety shows, and more. It is part of the Rakuten Group, which is a big tech and e‑commerce company.
The name “Viki” comes from combining “video” + “wiki”, which reflects its community-driven subtitle model — fans help subtitle and translate content.
Founded in 2007, Viki has grown into a major platform with offices in several countries. As of recent reports, it serves users in over 250 countries.
Why Is Viki Popular?
Here are some of the main reasons Viki is very popular among fans of Asian entertainment:
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Huge Library of Asian Content
Viki hosts a wide range of shows and movies from many Asian countries:-
Korean dramas (K-dramas)
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Chinese dramas
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Taiwanese dramas
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Japanese dramas
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Thai dramas, and more (App Store)
It doesn’t just have TV shows — there are movies, variety shows, and original programming too. (Rakuten Group, Inc.)
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Community Subtitles
One of Viki’s standout features is crowdsourced subtitles: volunteers from around the world translate shows into over 150 or even 200 languages. (viki.it.com) This means people almost everywhere can enjoy Asian content with subtitles they understand. -
Freemium Model
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There's a free tier, where you can watch many shows with ads. (viki.global.ssl.fastly.net)
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If you pay for Viki Pass, you get ad-free streaming, HD quality, and access to exclusive content earlier than free users. (viki.global.ssl.fastly.net)
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Cross-Platform
You can watch Viki on many devices: smartphone, tablet, web browser, smart TV, and more. (viki.global.ssl.fastly.net) -
Interactive Community Features
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Timed Comments: You can comment at a particular moment while watching, so other viewers can see your reaction at that exact point. (Google Play)
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Rating & Reviews: Users can rate shows and write reviews. (Google Play)
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Celebrity Pages: You can follow your favorite actors. (Google Play)
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Watchlist: Save shows or movies for later. (Google Play)
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Original Content & Exclusives
Viki also has its own Viki Originals — shows made specifically for its platform. (Rakuten Group, Inc.) Some shows are exclusive to Viki, making it a valuable service for fans who want content that might not be on other platforms. -
High Availability Across Regions
Viki’s global reach is impressive. According to its press release, it’s available in more than 250 countries. (Rakuten Group, Inc.)
Some Challenges & Criticisms
Even though Viki is loved, it’s not without its drawbacks. Here are some common criticisms, based on user feedback:
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Ads in the Free Version: Several users report that ads can be very frequent and interrupt the viewing experience. (SmileBlogs)
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Video Quality Issues: Some premium users say that even with Viki Pass, the video quality isn’t always very good (e.g., not as sharp or high resolution as expected). (Reddit)
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Regional Licensing: Not all shows are available in all countries. Some users complain that popular dramas have regional restrictions or are removed. (Reddit)
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Customer Support: Some users have raised issues about customer support, for example when dealing with VPN or proxy errors. (Reddit)
Special Events & Community
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Viki celebrates International K-Drama Day every year (on November 29). (Rakuten Group, Inc.) For this event, Viki often makes some premium K-dramas free to watch for a limited time. (Teen Vogue)
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This kind of event shows how Viki values its global fanbase and tries to bring the community together.
Popular Shows on Viki
Here are a few popular or noteworthy shows and movies that you can (or could) watch on Viki:
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True Beauty — A webtoon-inspired K-drama very popular internationally. (Rakuten Group, Inc.)
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What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim — A well-loved romantic comedy featuring Park Seo Joon. (Rakuten Group, Inc.)
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Lost Romance — A Taiwanese romantic-fantasy drama. (Wikipedia)
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Love Revolution — A more youthful, school-based romance series. (Wikipedia)
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Dramaworld — An English-language comedy-drama co-produced by Viki, blending real life with K-drama fantasy. (Wikipedia)
How to Use Viki
Here’s a simple guide on how to get started:
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Download the App
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On Android, you can find Viki: Asian Dramas & Movies in the Google Play Store. (Google Play)
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On iOS, it's available in the App Store. (App Store)
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Create an Account (Optional but Useful)
You can watch some content without registering, but creating a free account helps you save shows, make a watchlist, and participate in comments. -
Choose Your Plan
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Stick with the free plan to view many shows with ads.
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Or upgrade to Viki Pass to remove ads, get HD quality, and access certain exclusive or early-release content.
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Browse and Watch
Use the app or website to search for dramas, movies, variety shows. Use the watchlist to save things to watch later. -
Engage
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Add subtitles or translations if you want (you can also volunteer!).
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Leave comments during a show (timed comments).
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Rate the shows you watch and follow your favorite actors.
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Why Viki Is a Great Choice (Especially for Drama Fans)
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Diverse Asian Content: Unlike global streaming giants that may lean heavily on Western content, Viki is focused on Asian stories.
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Global Accessibility: Thanks to volunteer subtitles, many shows are accessible to viewers around the world in their language.
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Community Engagement: Fans don't just watch — they contribute, comment, and create.
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Value for Money: Even the paid plan is considered reasonably priced by many, given the volume of content. (SmileBlogs)
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Cultural Exposure: For someone who loves Asian culture, Viki is a treasure — it gives access to dramas, movies, and even variety shows from across Asia.
Conclusion
“Viki: Asian Dramas & Movies” is more than just a streaming app — it’s a global community. It connects fans of Asian entertainment, gives access to a wide variety of dramas and films, and uses a unique model where fans help subtitle content. Whether you watch for free or subscribe for a better experience, Viki offers something special for drama lovers.
If you want to start watching, just download the app, explore different genres, and maybe even try volunteering for subtitles if you’re interested. For anyone who enjoys Asian storytelling, Viki is definitely worth exploring.