Stop Netflix and TVING Subscription Fee Leakage! A Guide to Using Carrier Discounts

“Wait, isn’t my subscription fee leaking right now?” If you sigh every month when you get your card statement, you’re not alone. Netflix 17,000 KRW, TVING 13,500 KRW… plus YouTube Premium. You’ve probably wondered, “Am I really using all of this properly?” or “Is there a cheaper way to watch?”

Exactly. We are living right in the middle of a ‘streaming war’. Netflix, Disney+, and TVING are fiercely competing with attractive content, while SKT, KT, and LGU+ carriers offer complex discount packages saying, “It’s cheaper if you use it with us!” The options are so many that it’s easy to get lost.

So here’s the plan. This article is your ‘subscription bulletproof vest’ and ‘optimal discount navigation’ for the complicated streaming universe. I’ll thoroughly reveal each OTT’s true intentions, the traps and tips of carrier discounts. Trust me and follow along so your wallet and leisure time can both be happy!

PART 1. Player Entry! The Big Three OTTs, Which Should You Choose?

First, forget about carrier discounts for a moment and get to know each player’s characteristics properly. Who will be your perfect match?

Netflix: The World-Class Superstar’s More Demanding Fan Service

Does Netflix even need an introduction? It’s the global content king. But lately, this superstar’s fan service isn’t what it used to be. It’s because of account sharing crackdowns.

There are three plans: Ad-Supported (5,500 KRW), Standard (13,500 KRW), and Premium (17,000 KRW). The key is that the ‘party plan’ where four friends shared the Premium plan for around 4,000 KRW each is now blocked. Sharing accounts with friends living elsewhere now costs an extra 5,000 KRW per person. If three people share, that’s 17,000 KRW base plus 10,000 KRW for two extra users, totaling 27,000 KRW or 9,000 KRW each. It’s painful, but Netflix is clearly prioritizing actual revenue over subscriber count.

The content lineup remains unmatched. K-content like ‘Squid Game Season 2’ and ‘Sweet Home Season 3’ are highly anticipated worldwide. The current craze is unprecedented, making Netflix the ultimate ’event viewing’ platform that hooks you with massive originals. Its recommendation algorithm and features like ’next episode autoplay’ optimize the binge-watching experience.

Summary: If you can’t miss global blockbusters and K-originals, hold on to your eternal first love despite the higher price.

Disney+: A Kingdom of IPs You Can Watch for a Lifetime

Disney+ feels like a huge kingdom. Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, Disney… just the names excite you as IP royalty.

Two plans: Standard (9,900 KRW) and Premium (13,900 KRW). The best tip is the annual subscription. Paying for a year upfront gives about a 16% discount, so if you plan to keep watching, annual is definitely better.

If you’re a Marvel or Star Wars fan, there’s no choice—it’s a must-have. Initially, people said “there’s nothing to watch without Marvel,” but recently, after the huge success of ‘Moving’, Disney+ is seriously investing in K-originals. Exciting titles like ‘Trigger’ and ‘Hyper Knife’ are lined up, so the future looks bright. It’s family-friendly with good parental controls and a ‘GroupWatch’ feature to watch movies with distant friends, adding small joys.

Summary: If you’re deeply devoted to Marvel, Star Wars, or Disney universes, this is your sacred ground you can’t give up.

TVING: From K-Drama and Variety Hotspot to the Heart of Baseball Broadcasts

TVING has been the heart of K-content with popular dramas and variety shows from tvN and JTBC. But this year, that heart beats even stronger thanks to exclusive KBO broadcasting!

Its plans are the most complex domestically: Ad-Supported Standard (5,500 KRW), Basic (9,500 KRW), Standard (13,500 KRW), Premium (17,000 KRW). The highlight is the Ad-Supported Standard plan’s comeback! It’s the cheapest at 5,500 KRW but offers better quality (1080p) than the 9,500 KRW Basic (720p). It’s an aggressive offer: “Watch ads but get better quality cheaply.”

TVING’s identity now centers on KBO. Baseball fans have no choice but to subscribe. Unlike Netflix’s ’event viewing’ for blockbusters, this creates a daily habit of almost daily access throughout the baseball season, securing a loyal customer base. Although the app has complaints about being heavy and laggy, the focus on live features like multi-view and timeline for KBO broadcasts promises a bright future.

Summary: If you love K-dramas and variety shows and can’t imagine life without baseball, this platform is destined to be your daily companion.

PART 2. Here Are the Real Experts! Deep Dive into Carrier Discounts

Now the real deal begins. Paying full price for OTT is for amateurs! You need to open the ‘secret door’ of carrier discounts to become a true expert. But this door is more complicated than you think. I’ll guide you easily.

1. SKT ‘T Universe’: A Net of Benefits That Holds You Tight

SKT’s ‘T Universe’ is not just an OTT discount. It’s a strategy to create a ‘subscription ecosystem’ by bundling various benefits like 11th Street, CU convenience stores, Google One, with OTT as bait. When you subscribe to the ‘T Universe Pass,’ you get core benefits like Netflix or YouTube Premium plus many small perks. Once caught in this net, the strong ’lock-in effect’ makes it hard to leave because you lose discounts on 11th Street and convenience stores. It’s a big picture aiming to dominate your entire lifestyle beyond just the carrier.

2. KT ‘Choice’: A Tailored Suit for Premium Customers

KT takes a more straightforward approach. “Premium customers paying expensive 5G plans, pick one benefit you like!” The key is that if you use the ‘5G Choice’ plan costing over 90,000 KRW monthly, you can choose one free OTT service among Netflix, Disney+, or YouTube Premium. It’s more flexible than SKT by offering choice. This targets high ARPU (average revenue per user) premium customers, bundling unlimited data with OTT to make the high price feel worthwhile.

3. LGU+ ‘Yudok’: The Daiso of Subscriptions, The Ultimate Discount King

Honestly, the highlight of this article is here. LGU+’s ‘Yudok’ is a true ‘game changer’. The core is an ‘à la carte (buffet)’ style where you pick only the subscription services you want. Even picking one gives a basic discount, and the more you add, the crazier the discount goes, up to 50%. The truly insane part is the 4,000 KRW monthly additional discount coupon for LGU+ VIP/VVIP customers, which stacks on top.

For example, TVING Ad-Supported Standard (5,500 KRW) with a 10% Yudok discount is 4,950 KRW. Apply the VIP coupon of 4,000 KRW, and it’s 950 KRW per month. Yes, you read that right. You can watch TVING for less than the price of a cup of coffee. This is not just a discount; it’s market disruption.

PART 3. So, What Should I Do? (Practical Action Plan)

Now that you know everything, it’s time to find the optimal combination that fits you. I ran simulations for three typical types.

TYPE 1. “Baseball and Dramas Are My Life!” (K-Content & Sports Superfan)

Best choice: LGU+ Yudok (VIP customer). You can watch TVING Standard for 97,800 KRW annually (8,150 KRW/month). Much cheaper than the regular annual TVING subscription (145,800 KRW).

TYPE 2. “I’m the First to Watch Global New Releases!” (Global Content Binge Expert)

Best choice: If you use both Netflix Premium and YouTube Premium, LGU+ Yudok’s ‘Double Streaming Annual Pass’ is advantageous. It requires a one-year commitment but offers the best overall value.


TYPE 3. “One Is Not Enough!” (Diversity-Seeking Household)

Best choice: If you subscribe to Netflix, Disney+, and TVING all together, no question—LGU+ Yudok. The more you bundle, the bigger the discount, making it overwhelmingly cheaper than any other method.

🚨 Before Finalizing, Please Check These!

• Contract Restrictions: Some carrier bundles or Yudok products may have cancellation fees. If you frequently change subscriptions, no-contract options are better.
• Unused Benefits: Don’t be tempted by “lots of perks.” Benefits you don’t use are effectively zero value.
• Management Hassle: Subscribing through carriers can make cancellations or changes more cumbersome.

Conclusion: Wise Navigation to Protect Your Wallet

Do you see the map of the streaming universe now? There’s no single right answer, but there is an optimal solution for your lifestyle.

• Want freedom? → Individual OTT annual subscriptions
• Don’t want hassle? (High-tier plan users) → SKT ‘T Universe’ or KT ‘Choice’
• Want to save every won? → LGU+ ‘Yudok’ (especially if you’re VIP!)

Don’t be a passive subscriber who just pays. Understand your consumption patterns, outsmart carrier strategies, and become a ‘wise streaming navigator’ who maximizes benefits. I hope this guide helps protect your wallet and enjoy a richer content life!