Created in May 2006, Afreeca became rapidly one of the most popular free Internet TV broadcasting service in the peninsula when more than 7 million people watched live streaming of candlelight vigils against the U.S. beef imports in the spring of 2008.
On Afreeca, you can find live streaming of all major Korean TV channels like MBC, KBS 1, KBS 2, KBS Sport and SBS Sport. But the most interesting part is that people can create and broadcast their own TV channel.
Now, as foreigner living in Korea, the big question is: is this service easily accessible?
First, let’s start with the beginning: as many non-Korean Internet users, I googled Afreeca to get the right URL.
The site comes up first, but with a nice warning message: “This site may harm your computer”. I took the risk to follow the link, but Firefox refused to open the site arguing that the website appeared to contain “harmful software”.
As in Rome do as the Romans do: Forget Firefox, Chrome, MacOS, Linux … if you really want to access the most popular online TV broadcasting service in Korea, there is no choice but to use MS Windows and Internet Explorer, like almost 99% of Koreans.
Now, I finally got to the main page.
The layout is quite nice and if you master the basics of the local language, the site is actually very easy to use. The search field also gives you the choice between VOD and live streaming.
However, like most major Korean websites, you will need a Korean Social Security Number to register. That means you can watch the live broadcasts, but you will not be able to create your own TV streams unless you are a Korean national.
Finally, when choosing a channel, you will have to install the NowCom Player through an ActiveX. This process might require you to lower your security levels and open your firewall ports… But, if you go through all these sacrifices, you will be rewarded with one of the most advanced P2P TV technology and an amazing video quality.
