A recent investigation by the National Assembly Research Service has revealed that South Korean consumers are paying significantly more for YouTube Premium subscriptions compared to their counterparts in other countries. This discrepancy is largely due to the absence of a family plan in South Korea, a feature widely available in many other markets.

While individuals in Japan can share a YouTube Premium family plan for as little as around 20,000 won per month (approximately 15 USD), South Koreans are required to pay 14,900 won per month per individual. For a family of four, this amounts to a total of 59,600 won (approximately 45 USD), more than triple the cost in Japan.

Google offers the family plan in over 40 countries, including Japan, the UK, and Canada, allowing families to share a single subscription and save money. However, South Korea and the United States are notable exceptions.

The National Assembly Research Service pointed out that the lack of a family plan in South Korea is particularly problematic given the increasing number of YouTube Premium subscribers. Consumers are forced to shoulder a disproportionately high cost due to the absence of this cost-saving option.

Furthermore, the investigation found that South Korean consumers face difficulties in canceling their OTT subscriptions. Many platforms, including YouTube, make it challenging for users to cancel their subscriptions mid-term or receive refunds for unused portions of their subscriptions. Netflix, for instance, does not allow cancellations or refunds after the first seven days of a billing cycle.

The Korea Consumer Agency has called on OTT providers to offer more flexible subscription plans, including mid-term cancellation options and discounts, to treat South Korean consumers more fairly.

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