Top 17 Korean Martial Arts Novels with Weak To Strong in 2026

2026 Edition

Updated January 27, 2026

Specialized Lists

17 Novels

Korean martial arts novels with weak-to-strong progression hit differently than their Chinese counterparts. The setting is often historical Korea or a martial arts fantasy world, but the storytelling sensibilities remain Korean. That means more structured power tiers, clearer benchmarks for growth, and usually a revenge or return-to-former-glory arc driving the plot.

What works about this combination is the tangible sense of progress. You can track where the protagonist started and how far they've come. The martial arts element grounds the power fantasy in physical technique rather than abstract cultivation realms. Some authors handle the training sequences well, making the growth feel earned. Others rush through to get to the fights.

Completed
1
TOP PICK
The Legendary Moonlight Sculptor
4.3
(1.8K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
The man forsaken by the world, the man a s*ave to money and the man known as the legendary God of War in the highly popular MMORPG Continent of Magic. With the coming of age, he decides to say goodbye, but the feeble attempt to earn a little something for his time and effort ripples into an effe...
First Impressions
"The Legendary Moonlight Sculptor" is a web novel that I finally decided to dive into after hearing about it for years. It's a sprawling story, and while I found aspects to enjoy, I also encountered some frustrations along the way. It's a mixed bag, but one that has some real gems hidden inside. Initially, I was hooked by the VRMMORPG setting and the promise of adventure. The main character, Weed (also known as Lee Hyun), is certainly unique. He's driven by a need for money, stemming from a difficult past, and his single-minded focus creates some genuinely funny situations. The early chapters ...
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Completed
2
RUNNER UP
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...
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Completed
3
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Childhood Friend of the Zenith
4.2
(475 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
Gu Yangcheon commited a lot of evil while serving the Heavenly Demon. But now Heavenly Demon was dead and Yangcheon became a prisoner of ‘Celestial Sword’ Wi Seol-Ah, the heroine who vanquished his master.
First Impressions
"Childhood Friend of the Zenith" promised a blend of martial arts, regression, and a touch of the demonic, so I dove in eager to see what it offered. After spending some time with it, here are my impressions. The initial premise is definitely intriguing. We have Gu Yangcheon, a former subordinate of the Heavenly Demon, reborn with a chance to rewrite his past. The regret and drama hinted at in the early chapters definitely grabbed my attention, and the idea of a protagonist grappling with past sins while navigating a new life is compelling. I was hooked immediately into the story....
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4
EDITORS CHOICE
Return of Mount Hua Sect
4.5
(448 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
The 13th generation disciple of the Great Mount Hua Sect. One of the Three Great Swordsmen.
First Impressions
"Return of Mount Hua Sect" is a wild ride through the wuxia world, and I can definitely see why it's garnered so much love. It's a story about Chung Myung, an old ancestor reincarnated into the declining Mount Hua Sect, and his hilarious, often chaotic, journey to restore it to its former glory. Initially, I wasn't sure what to expect. The premise is familiar – reincarnation, martial arts, a fallen sect – but the execution is what sets this novel apart. It’s a blend of action, adventure, and laugh-out-loud comedy, with a surprising amount of depth lurking beneath the surface. The first few cha...
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Completed
5
EDITORS CHOICE
Breakers
4.1
(777 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, drama
My name is Joo In-gong. The name that my parents gave me meant ‘protagonist’ of the world.
First Impressions
"Breakers" is a web novel that I found to be a mixed bag, but ultimately an enjoyable, if somewhat flawed, read. It has an interesting premise, with a protagonist transported into the world of his favorite game, but the execution has both high points and some definite drawbacks. Initially, I was hooked by the idea of someone using their meta-knowledge to change the fate of a weak character. The early chapters set up a world with potential, and the protagonist's "Protagonist Correction" skill was a fun twist. It felt like a fresh take on the familiar isekai trope. However, as I read further, I ...
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Completed
6
#6 PICK
Possessing Nothing
4.0
(593 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, fantasy
C-class mercenary. Started as a No Class, possessing nothing.
First Impressions
"Possessing Nothing" is a web novel that really grabbed my attention with its unique take on the second-chance trope. I've read my fair share of reincarnation stories, and this one definitely stands out from the crowd. Initially, I was drawn in by the premise: a protagonist who isn't suddenly overpowered after reincarnation. It's refreshing to see an MC who retains his flaws and struggles instead of magically becoming a genius. The early chapters set the stage nicely, introducing a world that feels both familiar and unique. I was eager to see how the main character, Sungmin, would navigate his...
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7
#7 PICK
The Narrow-Eyed Villain of the Demon Academy
4.0
(354 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
The worst and strongest villain. I became the narrow-eyed character Arsene Adel.
First Impressions
Okay, so I jumped into "The Narrow-Eyed Villain of the Demon Academy" with a mix of excitement and trepidation. The premise – a web novel author transmigrating into his own creation as the villain – is undeniably intriguing. I was immediately curious to see how he'd navigate a world he built, especially with the knowledge of future events. The initial chapters definitely had a hook, drawing me into the protagonist's struggle for survival in a demon-dominated world where he's essentially an outcast. One of the strongest aspects, for me, was the potential for character development. Several reade...
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Completed
8
#8 PICK
The First Hunter
4.0
(243 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, fantasy
The world has changed, and so have the people. December 31st, 2016, the day before New Years.
First Impressions
"The First Hunter" throws you headfirst into a monster-infested apocalypse, and I found myself surprisingly hooked. The premise is fairly straightforward: monsters appear, some people awaken powers, and survival becomes a deadly game. But there's more to it than just another power fantasy, and that's what kept me reading. Initially, I was wary. Post-apocalyptic stories can easily fall into predictable tropes. However, the prologue grabbed my attention, and I was intrigued by the MC, a retired soldier adapting to this new reality. The early chapters focus heavily on survival, which immediately ...
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Completed
9
#9 PICK
The Terminally-Ill Side-Character Inside of a Martial Arts Novel
3.8
(142 ratings)
Genre: drama, fantasy, martial arts
I became the younger sister of the male protagonist in a martial arts novel. A terminally-ill side character, who was sold to the Demon Cult for the family’s sake.
First Impressions
Alright, let's dive into "The Terminally-Ill Side-Character Inside of a Martial Arts Novel." This title alone grabbed my attention, and after reading a fair bit of it, I'm ready to share my thoughts. The premise is definitely intriguing. We've got a sickly protagonist, thrown into a martial arts world. It's a blend of genres that, on paper, sounds like it could either be a train wreck or a surprisingly compelling story. So far, I'm leaning towards the latter. The initial chapters set the scene well, establishing the FL's fragile health and her world before the transmigration....
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Completed
10
#10 PICK
The 163,417,413th Soulslike Hero
3.8
(57 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
“Ah… uh… kuh… urk. ” “You… uh!
First Impressions
After diving into "The 163,417,413th Soulslike Hero," I can see why it's garnered a dedicated following. It's a blend of familiar tropes with a unique twist that keeps you guessing. The premise alone is intriguing: a hero system randomly throws individuals into a harsh universe, and our MC is just trying to survive. The initial chapters pulled me in with the sense of impending doom and the MC's rather unfortunate circumstances. I was immediately curious about the world and the mechanics behind the hero system. The fact that it's a regression story, but with memory loss and skill degradation, a...
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Conclusion

Martial arts is a smaller genre in Korean web fiction compared to general fantasy or action. This list represents most of the quality options currently translated rather than the best of a huge selection.

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

Ranked Novels

The Legendary Moonlight Sculptor

First Impressions

SSS-Class Sui**de Hunter

First Impressions

Childhood Friend of the Zenith

First Impressions

Return of Mount Hua Sect

First Impressions

Breakers

First Impressions

Possessing Nothing

First Impressions

The Narrow-Eyed Villain of the Demon Academy

First Impressions

The First Hunter

First Impressions