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Turn off the TV! Koreans Prefer to Watch Shows on their Smartphones

Koreans keep their eyes glued to the TV for 32 hours per week, on average. That's almost a full-time job! They outpace their peers in the US and UK, by 7.4 hours a week.

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Why haven't Korean's become known as the world's biggest couch potatoes?  Maybe it's because they don't watch TV on the couch. Today's advanced smartphones are freeing Koreans from their TVs. A 2012 ConsumerLab report found that Koreans are leading a new trend in TV and video services by shifting to a multi-screen model.

On the subway, you'll often see young people streaming crisp, HD quality dramas or movies trhoguh apps. While DMB is no longer cutting-edge, plenty of older folk use it to catch up on their favorite soaps and sports.

According to the same ConsumerLab report, 28% of Koreans watch TV outside of the home. That's more than double the 13% of Brits and Americans doing the same. Smartphones, laptops and tablets lead the mobile viewing platforms of preference, showing that Koreans have managed to fit TV into their always-on-the-go lives, rather than molding their lives around TV schedules.

The data backs this up. Koreans watch 4.2 hours of TV a week on their smartphones, outpacing the hours they spend watching on all other devices except desktop computers. 52% of Korean viewers have video-watching apps and 24% have TV show apps on their smartphones.

Apps clearly take the popularity prize in preferred methods of watching TV on smartphones. There are myriad options when it comes to apps, but here's a glimpse at two of the ones that have earn prime-time billing:

Tving (Google Play, iTunes)

Available on both iPhone and Android, this app allows you to watch the most addictive shows like the audition program Super Star K. You can watch about 200 high-quality and popular channels like MBC, KBS, mnet and tvN. The app also boasts that you won't get cut off, even in elevators (don't zone out and miss your floor!). Sports fans can stay tuned with pro baseball games and other sports competitions, too.

Photo Credit: http://bit.ly/12vpWE3

GomTV (Google Play)

Available on Android, GomTV describes itself as the one app you need to watch the latest entertainment, from popular music videos to movies. Made by the creators of the well-known Gom Player, it even offers the capability to recommend content to your friends through Twitter and Kakao Talk. As long as you have a 3G, 4G or Wi-Fi connection, you can download recent movies, TV shows and games.

Photo Credit: http://bit.ly/V2Z9Nf

About the author by Anna Sohn

I'm a New Jersey girl with a lifelong fascination with Korea, my motherland. In 2011, I moved to Seoul and I've enjoyed living in this wired and fast-paced city ever since. I'm excited to share the latest tech and design developments I encounter in Korea and hope you enjoy the AT&D blog as much I enjoy writing for it!

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