Top 13 Korean Action Novels with Cultivation in 2026
Action novels prioritize combat and conflict. Korean action webnovels here emphasize fighting sequences, power progression through battle, and protagonists who resolve problems through strength.
The genre is direct: you read these for the fights. Quality depends on how well authors write combat, whether progression feels satisfying, and whether the protagonist is worth rooting for in conflicts. Character depth varies, but action delivery is the core appeal.
Ranked Novels
- 1TOP PICK
SSS-Class Sui**de Hunter
4.3(1.2K ratings)Genre: action, adventure, comedy
I am dying to have a Class S Skill! ..
First Impressions
SSS-Class Suide Hunter… what a title! I dove into this web novel with a mix of curiosity and trepidation, given the rather intense premise. It's a story that seems to polarize readers, with some hailing it as a masterpiece and others finding it deeply flawed. So, what did I think? Initially, I was a bit overwhelmed. The early chapters are a whirlwind of information, and the main character, Kim Gong-ja, isn't exactly the most likeable guy. He's envious, obsessive, and driven by a desire for revenge. However, I stuck with it, and I'm glad I did because the initial chaos gives way to something fa...
- 2RUNNER UP
A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation
4.4(718 ratings)Genre: action, adventure, drama
On the way to a company workshop, we fell into a world of immortal cultivators while still in the car. Those with spiritual roots and unique abilities were all called to join cultivation sects, living prosperously.
First Impressions
"A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation" is quite the ride, a Korean take on the xianxia genre with a unique flavor. The premise is intriguing: a group of ordinary folks get isekai'd into a cultivation world, and our MC, unlike his colleagues, discovers his talent is regression upon his death. It's a blend of action, adventure, drama, and a whole lot more, making for a complex story. Initially, I found myself drawn to the story. The early focus on martial arts, before the cultivation aspects really kicked in, was a breath of fresh air. I appreciated the detailed explanations and the unique system t...
- 3HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
I Am This Murim’s Crazy B*tch
4.2(388 ratings)Genre: action, adventure, comedy
I became a female character in a wuxia game I’ve played for the first time.
First Impressions
"I Am This Murim's Crazy Btch" is a wild ride, no doubt about it. This novel throws you headfirst into a world of martial arts, gender-bending, and laugh-out-loud moments. While it's not without its flaws, I found myself surprisingly entertained by the MC's chaotic journey. The premise is definitely attention-grabbing. A modern-day salaryman transmigrates into a Murim game world as the busty, overpowered character he created? Sign me up! I was immediately intrigued by the blend of modern sensibilities colliding with ancient martial arts traditions. The initial chapters set a fast pace, introdu...
- 4EDITORS CHOICE
Doctor’s Rebirth
4.4(68 ratings)Genre: action, adventure, martial arts
I had been abroad to do medical volunteer work, when I was swept up in a civil war. I was killed by a rebel soldier, while taking a bullet for a patient.
First Impressions
After diving into the world of "Doctor's Rebirth," I can see why it has garnered such a dedicated following. The premise itself is intriguing: a modern-day doctor reincarnated into the body of a child within a martial arts world. It's a blend of genres that, when executed well, can be incredibly captivating. Initially, I found the story a bit slow-paced, but I quickly realized this was intentional. The author takes their time to establish the world, the characters, and the unique fusion of modern medicine and murim techniques. It's a deliberate choice that ultimately pays off, allowing for a d...
- 5EDITORS CHOICE
The World’s Greatest is Dead
3.8(55 ratings)Genre: action, comedy, harem
The world’s greatest has died. But “unfortunately”, I see dead people.
First Impressions
"The World's Greatest is Dead" is a bit of a rollercoaster, and after reading a good chunk of it, I can see why it's getting mixed reactions. It's a blend of action, comedy, and martial arts with a reincarnation twist, and while it has moments of brilliance, there are some definite sticking points. The premise is definitely intriguing. We have an MC who can see ghosts, and he gets saddled with the spirit of the previous "world's greatest" martial artist. It’s a classic setup with a lot of potential for humor and action, and initially, it really pulled me in. I was ready for a fun ride through ...
- 6#6 PICK
A Heart Devoted to the Sword
3.8(66 ratings)Genre: action, fantasy, gender bender
Even before falling into the murim (martial world), he had been wholly enchanted by the sword.
First Impressions
"A Heart Devoted to the Sword" promised an intriguing blend of wuxia, gender-bending, and action, and while it held my attention, it didn't quite reach its full potential in my opinion. The premise is undeniably captivating, and the core concept of a protagonist driven by revenge is always a draw for me. The initial chapters certainly grabbed my attention with a fast-paced introduction to the protagonist's world. I was immediately thrown into the thick of things, which, while exciting, also felt a little overwhelming. The story dives right into the action, and while that's not inherently bad, ...
Love Korean Action Novels?
Translate any Korean novel to your preferred language with Novel Translator's AI-powered technology.
40+ Languages
Translate to and from major world languages
Custom Made Translation Engine
State-of-the-art translation quality
EPUB and TXT Support
Keep formatting, chapters, and covers
Fast Processing
Translate entire novels in hours
Trusted by 16,000+ readers worldwide in 2026
- 7#7 PICK
A Medieval Knight in a Martial Arts Novel
3.9(119 ratings)Genre: action, adventure, harem
It has been two years since I became a medieval knight, and I have just realised that I am in a wuxia novel.
First Impressions
"A Medieval Knight in a Martial Arts Novel" had me hooked from the premise alone. The idea of a western knight dropped into a wuxia world is just begging for some fantastic cultural clashes and unique action, and for the most part, it delivers. The initial chapters quickly establish our protagonist's background: a knight with real combat experience transported into a murim novel he once read. This sets the stage for a story that aims to contrast western warfare with the more individualistic martial arts traditions of the east. I found myself immediately intrigued by how the author would explor...
- 8#8 PICK
Scoundrel in the Holy Academy is the Demon Lord’s Son
3.7(107 ratings)Genre: action, adult, adventure
I was reincarnated as the scoundrel grandson of a margrave. But my family tree is a little strange.
First Impressions
"Scoundrel in the Holy Academy is the Demon Lord’s Son" is definitely a novel that knows what it wants to be. It's a wild ride, and whether or not you enjoy it will likely depend on your tolerance for, well, a lot of R18 content. The initial chapters can feel a bit rushed. The MC's integration into this new world, especially considering he's inhabiting the body of a notorious scoundrel, happens rather quickly. It throws you into the deep end, and it takes a bit to get your bearings on the family tree and the overall setting....
- 9#9 PICK
Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang
4.0(69 ratings)Genre: action, adventure, martial arts
Spicy Fabre, a YouTuber specializing in poisonous insects and venomous creatures is reincarnated in a Murim. The Tang Family of Sacheon wants him.
First Impressions
"Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang" presents a unique twist on the Murim genre, and I found myself quite charmed by its premise. It's a story about a modern-day streamer of venomous creatures who reincarnates into a Murim world. Instead of chasing martial prowess, he focuses on what he loves: breeding and caring for fascinating, poisonous animals. It's a breath of fresh air in a genre often dominated by power-hungry protagonists. My initial impression was quite positive. The setup is intriguing, and the early chapters do a good job of establishing the MC's character and the world around him. I was immed...
- 10#10 PICK
I Kidnapped the Youngest Daughter of the Sichuan Tang Clan
4.0(93 ratings)Genre: action, comedy, harem
Cheon Hwi-da, once feared as the Sword Demon, lived a life drenched in blood, only to fall before the rise of the invincible Heavenly Demon. In his final moments, he watched helplessly as Tang Sowol, the last heir of the Tang Clan and the woman he couldn’t protect, perished before his eyes.
First Impressions
"I Kidnapped the Youngest Daughter of the Sichuan Tang Clan" immediately grabbed my attention with its quirky title and the promise of a lighthearted wuxia adventure. After diving in, I found a story that, while not groundbreaking, delivers a consistently enjoyable experience. It's like a comforting bowl of noodles – familiar, satisfying, and perfect for a relaxing read. The initial chapters are definitely the strongest, living up to the summary's promise of a protagonist who takes… unconventional actions. The humor is definitely present early on. I was hooked by the premise and eager to see w...
- 11#11 PICK
Invincible Mumu
4.0(53 ratings)Genre: action, adventure, harem
The Blood Warrior of the Ungpae Association, who created a sea of blood wherever he went, made the world of the Forces of Evil possible. The Nine Great Sects and the Six Great Clans joined forces to fight him, but were unable to stop him.
First Impressions
"Invincible Mumu" is a fun, if somewhat repetitive, romp through a wuxia world turned on its head. The premise itself is hilarious: a muscle-bound protagonist completely oblivious to the intricacies of martial arts cultivation, relying solely on his raw strength to solve every problem. It's a comedic power fantasy that doesn't take itself too seriously, and for the most part, it succeeds in delivering lighthearted entertainment. Initially, I was hooked by the sheer absurdity of Mumu's character. He's essentially a walking, talking brick wall, completely unaware of his own strength and the chao...
- 12#12 PICK
The Return of The Crazy Demon
4.3(99 ratings)Genre: action, adventure, comedy
Yi Zaha. The crazy demon crazy for martial arts.
First Impressions
I jumped into "The Return of The Crazy Demon" with a mix of excitement and trepidation. The premise – a regressed martial arts master with a screw or two loose – sounded like a recipe for either brilliance or disaster. Having read a significant chunk of the currently translated chapters, I can confidently say it's a bit of both, leaning heavily towards the former. Initially, I was hooked by the sheer unpredictability of the main character, Lee Zaha. He's not your typical stoic protagonist; he's genuinely unhinged, and his actions often caught me completely off guard. The first-person perspecti...
- 13#13 PICK
The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign
3.8(28 ratings)Genre: action, fantasy, harem
The holy land of the Demonic Path, the ten Demonic Sects. When they combined their strength, the world came to call them Demon Palace.
First Impressions
Alright, let's dive into "The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign." I went into this novel with fairly open expectations, but I came away with mixed feelings. It's one of those stories that has potential, but certain aspects just didn't quite click for me. The initial setup is pretty standard wuxia fare: orphan gets wronged, vows revenge, and seeks power. The MC's backstory involves the death of his guardian, which sets him on a path to the Demonic Palace. It's a familiar trope, but I was willing to see where it went. However, the beginning felt a bit rushed, and the power scaling seemed off....
Conclusion
Action novels deliver what they promise: fighting. These are good examples of Korean combat-focused storytelling. Whether you enjoy the fighting style requires sampling, since action preferences vary.
How We Create Our 2026 Rankings
Our 2026 novel rankings are created through a comprehensive, data-driven process that combines quantitative metrics with qualitative editorial review. Here's how we ensure our rankings reflect the best novels available today.
Data Collection
We aggregate reading data, ratings, and engagement metrics from thousands of readers across multiple platforms, updated regularly throughout 2026.
Community Input
Reader ratings and reviews form the foundation of our rankings. We weight votes based on verified reading history to ensure authenticity.
Quality Scoring
Each novel receives a composite score based on average rating, vote count, reading list additions, and reader retention metrics.
Editorial Review
Our editorial team reviews top candidates for writing quality, translation accuracy, and overall reader experience.
Regular Updates
Rankings are refreshed quarterly to reflect new releases, updated ratings, and shifting reader preferences in 2026.
Transparency
We publish our methodology openly so readers understand exactly how novels earn their positions in our rankings.
Our 2026 Ranking Criteria
- 40%Reader Rating Score (weighted by vote count and recency)
- 25%Popularity Metrics (reading list additions, active readers)
- 20%Engagement Score (comments, reviews, recommendations)
- 15%Editorial Assessment (writing quality, translation, completeness)
Last updated: January 27, 2026 | Rankings reflect data collected through 2026













