Top 17 Korean Romance Novels with Reincarnation in 2026

2026 Edition

Updated January 27, 2026

Specialized Lists

17 Novels

Reincarnation romance is huge in Korean web novels, and I think the appeal is pretty clear. The protagonist gets to redo their life with full knowledge of what went wrong the first time, which usually means avoiding a bad ending and pursuing a different romantic interest. There's inherent tension in watching someone try to change fate while dealing with feelings that may or may not develop the same way.

The execution varies a lot. Some lean heavily into the strategic aspects, with heroines manipulating noble society politics or dodging death flags. Others focus more on the emotional complexity of loving someone you knew in a past life who doesn't remember you. A few blend both approaches well. The genre can get formulaic, but when it works, the combination of romance and second-chance plotting creates genuinely compelling stories.

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TOP PICK
If You Don’t Become the Main Character, You’ll Die
4.8
(282 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
I suddenly found myself dropped into a fantasy kingdom story. But what’s the status of my scenario importance?
First Impressions
"If You Don’t Become the Main Character, You’ll Die" is a wild ride that I'm so glad I decided to jump on. With a near-perfect rating and a sprawling storyline, I was intrigued, and after diving in, I can definitely see why it's so beloved. It's a unique blend of genres, and the execution is what really makes it shine. Initially, the title and summary made me think this would be another run-of-the-mill transmigration story. You know, the kind where the protagonist just clings to the main character for survival. But boy, was I wrong! From the get-go, the author throws you into a world brimming ...
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RUNNER UP
Lucia
4.4
(1.5K ratings)
Genre: adult, drama, fantasy
Lucia grew up not knowing she was a princess. But when her mother died, she entered the palace and had the chance to see her entire future in a dream.
First Impressions
"Lucia" is a web novel that really took me on a rollercoaster. With its mix of adult themes, fantasy elements, and a central romance, it definitely has a lot going on. After diving in and absorbing various reader opinions, I've got a pretty good handle on what makes this story tick, both for good and for ill. Initially, I was intrigued by the premise of a protagonist trying to navigate a pre-determined fate. The tags promised a complex story with character growth and a mature tone. However, some readers found the world-building lacking and the initial plot points to be somewhat weak, especiall...
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HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
The Baby Raising A Devil
4.4
(409 ratings)
Genre: adventure, comedy, fantasy
Three regressions, 4th life. Although she was prophesied and raised as the child of fate, she was sacrificed when the real child of fate appears.
First Impressions
"The Baby Raising A Devil" had me hooked from the get-go with its intriguing premise. A multi-reincarnated protagonist, a loving family, and a dash of villainy? Count me in! I've dived into the available chapters, and here are my thoughts. Initially, the translation quality was a hurdle. I saw some readers mention this, and I agree that some of the earlier chapters felt a bit rough around the edges. Thankfully, the translation seems to have improved significantly, making the story much more enjoyable. The promotional manhwa definitely piqued my interest, and I'm glad I stuck around to see the ...
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EDITORS CHOICE
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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EDITORS CHOICE
I Don’t Want To Be An Ojakgyo
4.3
(365 ratings)
Genre: comedy, fantasy, harem
I was reincarnated as the supporting character of a novel. As a wingwoman in a depressing romance novel titled at that.
First Impressions
"I Don't Want To Be An Ojakgyo" is a story I initially approached with caution. The title and premise suggested a typical transmigration-into-a-novel scenario, but I was pleasantly surprised by the depth and complexity I found. While it has its flaws, it's ultimately a charming and engaging read. The story follows our protagonist, who, armed with memories of a past life where she read the novel she's now living in, becomes laser-focused on financial security. This drives her to enroll in a magic knight academy, befriends several of the original male leads, and even develops a secret identity a...
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#6 PICK
I Became the Student Council President of Academy City
4.2
(360 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
I was reincarnated into the world of Academy City. Since things turned out this way, I decided to aim for a decent job and live a happy life.
First Impressions
When I first dove into "I Became the Student Council President of Academy City," I was immediately struck by the unique premise: an academy city ruling a post-apocalyptic world. It's a blend of genres that piqued my interest, promising a mix of school life, action, and a dash of the extraordinary. The setup felt familiar, yet intriguing, like a magical academy version of Love is War with a bit more action sprinkled in. There's a lot to appreciate in this novel. The MC is a definite highlight; he's relatable, vulnerable, but also surprisingly badass when the situation calls for it. He's not dri...
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#7 PICK
I Raised an Obsessive Servant
4.3
(239 ratings)
Genre: drama, fantasy, romance
I was fighting with the heroine for the Empress’ seat. I, Yurina Carthia, the villainess, die at the hands of a mage supporting character.
First Impressions
"I Raised an Obsessive Servant" had me intrigued from the start, and after diving in, I can see why it's garnered such a dedicated following. It's a transmigration story with a twist, focusing on a protagonist who's trying to avoid a villainous fate by nurturing the future male lead. While the title might suggest a certain character dynamic, the reality seems far more nuanced and heartwarming. Initially, I was a bit wary of the title, fearing another generic, cringe-worthy story. However, I quickly found myself drawn into the world and the characters. The premise is that our MC transmigrates i...
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#8 PICK
Success Oriented Guide
4.3
(214 ratings)
Genre: action, adult, drama
Seon Jae-chan, the intelligence service’s ‘snake,’ a human amplifier and success-oriented human specimen, was a guide known for his evil acts committed in the name of unrequited love for Esper Go Woo-jin. When faced with death, he sincerely repents the past and wishes for Woo-jin happiness.
First Impressions
"Success Oriented Guide" is a wild ride, a blend of action, romance, and a whole lot of morally gray areas that kept me hooked. This isn't your typical fluffy BL; it delves into complex characters navigating a brutal world, and I found myself constantly questioning their choices. Initially, I was intrigued by the premise of a time regression story with an MC who isn't necessarily a "good guy." The idea of an unreliable narrator, someone who views himself as a villain but is perhaps just a product of his circumstances, was compelling. I dove in expecting a morally ambiguous protagonist and a sl...
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#9 PICK
Adonis
4.4
(273 ratings)
Genre: action, drama, fantasy
“You were my enemy who always defeated me, but you were also a pretty good companion. ” “Shut up!
First Impressions
"Adonis" is a web novel that's been on my radar for a while, and after diving in, I can see why it has such a dedicated following. It's a blend of action, drama, fantasy, and romance, with a strong female lead at its core. While it's not without its flaws, the overall experience has been quite captivating. Initially, I was drawn in by the promise of a well-developed world and a strong female protagonist. The story starts with Ianna, a reincarnated character who has a lot of baggage from her past life. It took a bit to get my bearings, as the story dives deep into her history and the world's lo...
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#10 PICK
How To Win My Husband Over
4.2
(265 ratings)
Genre: drama, fantasy, mature
I became the Villainess who died at the hands of her husband in the novel. To be exact, as a supporting role who dies after being used by her father and brother as a tool for political marriage.
First Impressions
"How To Win My Husband Over" is a web novel that dives deep into some seriously heavy themes. I've seen readers praise its portrayal of trauma, while others found it too much to handle. I went in knowing it wouldn't be a light read, and I wasn't wrong. Right off the bat, the novel throws you into a world of abuse, mental illness, and eating disorders. Some found this off-putting, even labeling it as a cheap marketing tactic, while others appreciated the raw honesty. The main character, Ruby, is portrayed as a victim, and some readers found her pathetic, while others found her relatable and roo...
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Conclusion

Korean reincarnation romance has become crowded, so this list filters for quality rather than just popularity. Some entries feature more action or political intrigue alongside the romance, others are pure relationship-focused. Check the tags if you have strong preferences about the balance.

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

If You Don’t Become the Main Character, You’ll Die

First Impressions

Lucia

First Impressions

The Baby Raising A Devil

First Impressions

Childhood Friend of the Zenith

First Impressions

I Don’t Want To Be An Ojakgyo

First Impressions

I Became the Student Council President of Academy City

First Impressions

I Raised an Obsessive Servant

First Impressions

Success Oriented Guide

First Impressions