The Cruel Coupang Play Sports Pass Price: Why It Made Overseas Residents Cry
As an overseas resident, I subscribed to two services specifically to watch live international soccer: a VPN and Coupang Wow membership. But now, I can no longer watch high-definition soccer matches. This is precisely why I’m writing this article about the unfair Coupang Play Sports Pass pricing that makes overseas residents cry.
Coupang Play, which broadcasts overseas sports
Even though I live overseas, I frequently use Korean websites. Coupang Play was one of them. As someone who particularly enjoys international soccer, I love live broadcasts and long highlight videos, and Coupang Play was broadcasting several international soccer leagues.
So even though I never shopped at all, I signed up for Coupang Wow membership. Because I wanted to watch Coupang Play—no, to watch soccer. That’s how I ended up paying 7,880 won every month.
Coupang Play, which has blocked overseas access
Can overseas residents watch Coupang Play? No. Coupang Play has blocked access from overseas.
Every time I tried to access it, the message “Sorry, Coupang Play is not available in your region” appeared. When I didn’t know any better, I just kept hitting the refresh button over and over.
I also learned this way that there are Korean websites inaccessible from overseas. After that, I tried various methods through searching.
The most reliable method among them was a VPN. A VPN allows me to access domestic servers as if I were in Korea, even while residing overseas.
The crucial point was that I was already paying for my WoW membership, so I couldn’t afford any additional expenses. That’s why I tried several free VPNs.
- It was complicated.
- The speed and time limits were significant (some were as long as 2 hours).
- As I kept reading about free VPNs, I started worrying about my information being exposed.
I couldn’t even watch soccer, and spent days in a mentally exhausted state just searching for a decent free VPN. I finally reached the point of giving up.
Coupang Play Region Restriction Bypass Access, NordVPN
Still, I’m dirty and cheap, so I pay. That’s how I found NordVPN. I said I’d pay, but I still wanted to choose a reasonably priced, well-known, and decent VPN service.
It’s been a year since I subscribed to NordVPN, so prices may have changed, but if you’re curious about the concept and benefits of VPNs, NordVPN subscription plans, or the payment process, I recommend carefully reading the post below.
Coupang Play Sports Pass Price
Coupang Play Sports Pass What the heck is this? I thought. I was finally going to watch Heung-min’s LAFC game after so long, but I could see some streams had this “Pass” thing on them and others didn’t.
When I tried to watch the recorded game, it said only Coupang Play Sports Pass members could view it. Oh, really? How unfair, Coupang Play. Reluctantly, I chose the highlights of a game that wasn’t recorded.
My eyes are already blurry these days, and the picture quality was really crappy. I can barely make out that the black part is the head and the white part is the body. For reference, the player who hit the ball is Heung-min, and it’s his ninth goal of the season.
Anyway, the picture quality for games available to Coupang Wow members isn’t very good. So I looked into the price of the Coupang Play Sports Pass.
The Coupang Play Sports Pass costs 9,900 won. That’s more expensive than the Wow Membership, which offers so many benefits. And it’s just for watching one high-definition sports game.
So I have to pay a total of 17,600 won per month—combining the Woowoo membership fee of about 7,800 won and the Coupang Play Sports Pass price of 9,900 won—to watch high-definition games.
This is exactly why I’ve been complaining about the unfair Coupang Play Sports Pass from the very start.
Honestly, I wish a service like Coupang Play—one that lets you watch only sports (including the Wow Membership price) for 9,900 won—would come out soon. But I don’t think a company focused on maximizing profits would ever offer such a great service.
Conclusion
Today we discussed the unfair Coupang Play Sports Pass. For those living abroad, it can’t help but be a harsh reality.
- Coupang Wow Membership
- NordVPN subscription cost
- + Sports Pass Fee
Those in Korea don’t need a VPN, but overseas residents will likely have to spend quite a bit to watch a single high-definition game. I’m currently hesitating myself. If I find a better solution, I’ll be sure to share it. Hang in there, overseas viewers.
