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Tom’s Guide
Technology
Bill Borrows

How to watch 'Uncle Samsik' online — stream the K-drama from anywhere

Veteran Korean actor Song Kung-ho plays Park Doo-chill (aka Uncle Samsik) in a dark business suit, smiling in a wood-lined office.

"Uncle Samsik" is a K-drama, or to be more accurate K-period drama, set in South Korea in the early 1960s at a time when the country was still recovering from the ruinous Korean War and mass starvation. It's also "Parasite" actor Song Kang-ho's first ever TV role. Here's how to watch "Uncle Samsik" online from anywhere with a VPN.

'Uncle Samsik' streaming details

The first five episodes of "Uncle Samsik" premiere on Wednesday, May 15, with two episodes per week until the three episode season finale on Friday, June 19.
• U.S. — Watch on Hulu / Disney+
• U.K. Disney+
• AustraliaDisney+
• Watch from anywhere — try NordVPN risk-free

Shady fixer Park Doo-chill, played by veteran movie actor Song Kung-ho, goes by the name of Uncle Samsik – literally "three meals" in Korean. This is relevant because as the country struggles his priority is to provide his family with three meals a day, thus filling both hearts and minds.   

Kim San (played by Byun Yo-han) is an idealist with connections who is keen to orchestrate South Korea's emergence from past traumas ("Have you eaten today?" remains a familiar Korean greeting). Park convinces him the the best idea would be to team-up and use a drive for prosperity to shape the country to their own vision – on a full stomach.

Beyond the politics there is a very real human heart to the show, and if you've had the pleasure of watching the Oscar-winning "Parasite," you'll almost certainly want to see Kung-ho in action here. 

Read on to find out how to watch K-drama "Uncle Samsik" online and from anywhere.

How to watch 'Uncle Samsik' in the U.S.

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

The five-episode premiere of "Uncle Samsik" drops on Wednesday, May 15 on Disney+ with the full season streaming on Hulu in the U.S. on the same day. 

A subscription to Hulu costs $7.99 per month basic or $17.99 per month ad-free after a 30-day free trial.

You can also get Hulu via the Disney Bundle, which provides access to both Hulu and Disney Plus for just $9.99 per month. You can pay more to go ad-free, while sports fans can add ESPN Plus to the mix for $14.99 per month. 

Watch 'Uncle Samsik' from anywhere

Away from the U.S. at the moment and blocked from watching "Uncle Samsik" on your usual service?

You can still watch episodes from anywhere thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where you are in the world. So it’s ideal for viewers currently traveling outside of their home country. Our favourite is NordVPN. It's the best on the market:

Using a VPN is incredibly simple.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're in the U.K. and want to view a U.S. service, you'd select U.S. from the list.

3. Sit back and enjoy "Uncle Samsik" from wherever you are.

How to watch 'Uncle Samsik' in Canada

(Image credit: Free)

As with the U.S., the first five episodes of "Uncle Samsik" premiere on Disney+ Canada on Wednesday, May 15 with two episodes per week until the three episode season finale on Friday, June 19.

Any Canadians currently abroad for work or on vacation who are unable to view their subscription channel can catch the show via NordVPN, our recommended VPN.

How to watch 'Uncle Samsik' in the U.K.

(Image credit: Free)

"Uncle Samsik" arrives on Disney+  in the U.K. on Wednesday, May 15 but for anybody away for work or vacation and desperate to catch the latest K-drama but unable to access their own subscription channel at home, it is also available via NordVPN, our recommended VPN.

How to watch 'Uncle Samsik' in Australia

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

"Uncle Samsik" arrives on Disney+  in Australia on Wednesday, May 15 but for anybody away for work or vacation and desperate to catch the latest K-drama but unable to access their own subscription channel at home, it is also available via NordVPN, our recommended VPN.

'Uncle Samsik' episode guide

  • Episode 1         May 15, 2024
  • Episode 2         May 15, 2024
  • Episode 3         May 15, 2024
  • Episode 4         May 15, 2024
  • Episode 5         May 15, 2024
  • Episode 6         May 22, 2024
  • Episode 7         May 22, 2024
  • Episode 8         May 29, 2024
  • Episode 9         May 29, 2024
  • Episode 10       June 05, 2024
  • Episode 11       June 05, 2024
  • Episode 12       June 12, 2024
  • Episode 13       June 12, 2024
  • Episode 14       June 19, 2024
  • Episode 15       June 19, 2024
  • Episode 16       June 19, 2024

'Uncle Samsik' FAQ

What has Shin Yeon-shick, the director and writer of 'Uncle Samsik', said about his film?

Answering questions at the Seoul press conference held at the Grand InterContinental, Shin Yeon-shick said: "I think Korea is the only country that asks if one has eaten as a greeting. (The series) portrays the difficult times right after the Korean War, when it was truly challenging to have even one meal a day.

“I’ve been living in Korea for over 40 years but I find it unfamiliar and difficult to adapt. I've always been curious about the society I live in and the people making up that society. I also wanted to explore the origins of the people who formed present-day Korea and this was the perfect timing. Some may see ‘Uncle Samsik’ as a historical drama and others might see it as film noir, but to me, it's a romance story.”

What other movies does Song Kung-ho have on his resume?

The first Korean male to win Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival (for "Broker"), he has starred in three other films that also each drew over 10 million viewers including "Parasite", "The Interview" and "Emergency Declaration."

He was also in "Memories of Murder", "Snowpiercer", "The Host" and "Lady Vengeance".

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