Top 21 Korean Martial arts Novels in 2026

2026 Edition

Updated January 27, 2026

Specialized Lists

21 Novels

Korean martial arts novels, often called murim stories, focus on traditional wuxia-style settings with their own distinct flavor. You get sect politics, internal energy cultivation, and hierarchies of martial artists, but filtered through Korean storytelling sensibilities. Many feature regression or reincarnation hooks that give protagonists an edge in navigating the dangerous landscape.

I find the Korean approach tends to be more strategic than the Chinese equivalent. Protagonists often spend significant time gathering information, building alliances, and positioning themselves before major confrontations. The power systems draw from similar roots but the narrative emphasis differs. If you like martial arts action combined with political maneuvering, this subgenre delivers.

Completed
1
TOP PICK
T*ash of the Count’s Family
4.5
(3.3K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, fantasy
When I opened my eyes, I was inside a novel. I became a part of that novel as the tr*sh of the Count’s family, the family that oversaw the territory where the first village that Choi Han visits is located.
First Impressions
I finally dove into Tash of the Count’s Family, and I have to say, it's quite the ride. With its high overall rating and a massive list of tags, I was definitely curious to see what all the hype was about. Having read a fair chunk of it, I can see the appeal, but also some of the issues that might turn readers off. Initially, the premise felt familiar: a Korean transmigrator ends up in the body of a trashy noble within a novel he'd read. The MC's goal? To live a peaceful, wealthy life, avoiding all conflict. I was a little worried it would be another generic "lazy MC gets dragged into trouble"...
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Completed
2
RUNNER UP
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
3
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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
4
EDITORS CHOICE
Sovereign of Judgment
4.2
(839 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, fantasy
A fighting genius. In grade 6, Choi Hyuk killed someone.
First Impressions
"Sovereign of Judgment" is a web novel that grabbed my attention with its blend of action, adventure, and a dash of sci-fi elements. It's a story about survival, revenge, and the lengths one will go to achieve their goals. While it has its flaws, the overall experience has been a thrilling ride. The initial chapters threw me into a brutal survival game where the protagonist, Choi Hyuk, a suppressed fighting genius, is forced to unleash his true potential. I was immediately hooked by the premise and the fast-paced introduction. It felt like a battle royale with a martial arts twist....
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5
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
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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8
#8 PICK
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...
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Completed
9
#9 PICK
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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Completed
10
#10 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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11
#11 PICK
The Genius of Cloning in the Academy City
4.3
(129 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
I awoke as Violet, a familiar villainess trapped in a shady corporate research lab. Screw this!
First Impressions
This web novel is quite the ride, a chaotic fusion of genres that kept me entertained despite its obvious flaws. "The Genius of Cloning in the Academy City" throws a lot at you – action, adventure, comedy, a gender-bending twist, and a whole lot more. It's a story that demands patience, but if you're willing to stick around, you might find yourself surprisingly invested. The beginning is undeniably slow. I felt like I was wading through molasses for the first 60 or so chapters. The initial focus is on world-building and Violet's character development, which, while necessary, can feel repetitiv...
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Conclusion

This collection covers 21 Korean martial arts novels with varying emphasis on action versus strategy. Some prioritize tournament arcs and direct combat while others focus more on sect infiltration and political schemes. The murim setting provides consistent world-building conventions, so picking up new entries in the genre gets easier over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our rankings consider multiple factors: reader ratings (40%), popularity and reading lists (25%), review quality (20%), and editorial assessment (15%). We update regularly to reflect new releases and changing reader preferences.

We update our rankings monthly to ensure they reflect the latest reader ratings and new novel releases.

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

T*ash of the Count’s Family

First Impressions

The Legendary Moonlight Sculptor

First Impressions

SSS-Class Sui**de Hunter

First Impressions

Sovereign of Judgment

First Impressions

Return of Mount Hua Sect

First Impressions

Possessing Nothing

First Impressions

The Narrow-Eyed Villain of the Demon Academy

First Impressions

I Am This Murim’s Crazy B*tch

First Impressions

Childhood Friend of the Zenith

First Impressions

The First Hunter

First Impressions