🎬 Coupang Play Free Benefits: Enjoy Unlimited Content Just by Watching Ads!

The Real Benefits of Ad-Based OTT for Wow Members and Regular Members! 💯

Is it True That Coupang Play is Free?

Recently, I’ve been hearing a lot of “Coupang Play is free!” from people around me, and honestly, I was skeptical at first. 😊 But it turns out to be true! Starting from June 2025, not only Wow members, but also regular members will have access for free. I checked the official Coupang website, and it was clearly stated.

Previously, it was a paid service costing 4,900 KRW per month, but now you can enjoy content for free in exchange for watching ads. What surprised me the most was that almost every genre, from original content to the latest movies, is included. Typically, free services offer lower-quality content, but Coupang Play is different!

Is Everything Free for Regular Members If They Just Watch Ads?

Yes, that’s right! 🎉 Regular members can enjoy the following content for free by watching ads:

• ✅ Coupang Original Dramas & Variety Shows
• ✅ Popular TV Series (including recent broadcasts)
• ✅ The latest movies that have just finished in theaters
• ✅ Live sports broadcasts (overseas football, baseball, etc.)
• ✅ Kids’ content suitable for family viewing
• ✅ Live news and current affairs programs

The ads generally last 15 to 30 seconds, with 2 to 3 ads per episode. Personally, when watching a drama and an ad comes on, I take that time to stretch or grab a coffee. It hasn’t been too inconvenient! 😊

Three Special Benefits for Wow Members 🎁

For Wow members, there’s more than that! You will receive more benefits compared to regular members. I compared them and found significant differences.

First, you can enjoy 4K high-quality streaming. Regular members can stream up to Full HD, but Wow members can watch in Ultra HD (4K). If you have a 4K TV at home, this benefit is essential!

Second, there’s multi-channel audio support that allows for a cinema-like sound experience. This is especially great when watching action or horror movies. 🎧

Third, you can participate in the Coupang Club Reward Program. This program offers various benefits, including free movie tickets and opportunities to meet celebrities, so don’t miss out!

Coupang Play vs Other OTTs: A Comparative Analysis 📊

Comparing with other OTT services, Coupang Play’s strengths become more evident, and I summarized them in a table.

Notably, Coupang Play has many exclusive original contents not available on other services. Recently, I watched a drama called ‘Coupang’s Lies’ which had outstanding quality!

Is an Ad-Based OTT Really Sustainable?

Many people wonder if the ad-based model can last long, but I believe there is sufficient potential. Here’s why…

First, Coupang already has a massive advertising platform infrastructure. They successfully operate various ads within the Coupang app. This experience could be useful for the OTT as well.

Second, tailored advertising technology is continuously improving. Most ads I saw while watching dramas were related to my interests. With such accurate targeting, I believe advertisers will invest more.

Lastly, through the reward program, users can be encouraged to engage more with the ads. I found myself watching ads more diligently to collect Coupang Club points! 😊

My Personal Experience with Coupang Play ✍️

Here’s my honest review of using Coupang Play for the last three months!

👍 Pros:

• A wide variety of content (especially rich in Korean content)
• Ads are not as intrusive as I expected
• The mobile app is user-friendly and highly intuitive
• Download feature available for offline viewing (exclusive for Wow members)

👎 Cons:

• Occasionally, there can be buffering issues
• Some content may still switch to being paid
• The UI can be a bit complex, requiring time to get used to

Overall, it’s a satisfying service. Especially considering it’s free, I think it’s a well-developed platform!

Future Prospects and My Predictions 🔮

I believe that Coupang Play’s free model will create a major ripple effect in the OTT market. Here’s what I predict…

1. Other OTT services will likely start adopting ad-based free models gradually. Netflix has already begun trying this out!

2. Coupang Play’s market share will significantly increase. I think it will appeal especially to the MZ generation that values cost-effectiveness.

3. The content production industry will be more active. More production companies will look to provide content for Coupang Play.

I personally believe Coupang Play will be a ‘game changer’ in the Korean OTT market. Why not try it out for yourself? 😊