Top 21 Korean Sci-fi Novels in 2026

2026 Edition

Updated January 27, 2026

Specialized Lists

21 Novels

Korean sci-fi novels tend to approach the genre differently than their Chinese or Japanese counterparts. There's often a stronger focus on system mechanics and strategic thinking, with protagonists who analyze their situations methodically rather than relying on raw power. Corporate dystopias, apocalyptic scenarios, and virtual reality settings show up frequently, usually with commentary on modern society woven in.

I find Korean sci-fi particularly good at pacing and tension. The authors seem comfortable letting mysteries unfold slowly, and the world-building tends to be internally consistent even when the concepts get weird. That said, the genre can lean heavily on certain tropes like tower climbing or regression mechanics. Not inherently bad, just worth knowing if you're looking for something more experimental.

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1
TOP PICK
Everyone Else is a Returnee
4.3
(3.5K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
Yu Ilhan was always the one left behind. Left out of cliques in school.
First Impressions
"Everyone Else is a Returnee" is a web novel that I dove into with a mix of excitement and trepidation, given its high overall rating and diverse range of reader opinions. It’s a story about a protagonist left behind on Earth while everyone else is transported to another world to train for a coming apocalypse. The premise is intriguing and promises a unique take on familiar tropes, but does it deliver? Here's my take. Initially, I was hooked by the concept. A loner, overlooked by the divine, gains immense power through sheer dedication and hard work. It's a classic underdog story with a twist....
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2
RUNNER UP
Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint
4.6
(2.4K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
Kim Dok-Ja does not consider himself the protagonist of his own life. Befitting the name his parents gave him, he is a solitary person whose sole hobby is reading web novels.
First Impressions
"Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint" is a wild ride, and I can definitely see why it's garnered so much attention. It’s the type of story that grabs you and refuses to let go, throwing you headfirst into a world that's both familiar and utterly bizarre. Overall, I found it a compelling read, although not without its quirks. The premise is undeniably intriguing: a lone reader, Kim Dokja, finds himself living in the world of the web novel he’s obsessed over for a decade. The world is transported to his, and he now has the immense knowledge of how it will end, or so he thinks. It's a fantastic setup t...
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3
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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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4
EDITORS CHOICE
You’ve Got The Wrong House, Villain
4.3
(982 ratings)
Genre: action, fantasy, josei
As if it wasn’t enough for me to be reincarnated as a child in the slums, I was taken to a city of crime and became a test subject. But then, when I saw the man that came to destroy the research institute, I realized that this was the world of an angst-filled reverse harem novel.
First Impressions
"You've Got The Wrong House, Villain" had me intrigued from the start with its unique premise. It blends familiar tropes of reincarnation and reverse harems with a dash of sci-fi and psychological elements, which is quite the combination! While it's not without its flaws, there's definitely something captivating about this story that kept me reading. Initially, I was drawn in by the MC, Yuri. The idea of a cool, level-headed woman with superpowers, navigating a world she knows from a novel, seemed promising. The early chapters set a good pace, introducing the core characters and hinting at the...
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5
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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6
#6 PICK
Dimensional Sovereign
3.9
(1.1K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, fantasy
One day, I was given the mysterious power of Hwanmong. If I killed a monster in the dream then my level would rise in reality.
First Impressions
Dimensional Sovereign presented an intriguing premise that initially hooked me, but ultimately left me with mixed feelings. It's a novel that starts strong but seems to stumble along the way. The initial chapters were promising. We're introduced to Kang-jun, a struggling protagonist who gets a chance to change his fate through a supernatural game. This blend of modern fantasy with RPG elements, where success in a dream world directly impacts real-life status and wealth, felt fresh. I was particularly drawn to the idea of managing territory both in the dream world and in the real world. The ear...
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7
#7 PICK
Reader
4.1
(480 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
While reading a book, a sparkle of light disappeared. And, as it did, a message appeared.
First Impressions
"Reader" presents an intriguing premise: a bookworm protagonist diving into a VRMMORPG to... well, read more books. The initial concept definitely hooked me, and the blend of genres – action, adventure, comedy, fantasy, and sci-fi – promised a diverse reading experience. However, as I delved deeper, I found myself grappling with some of the issues raised by other readers. I was immediately drawn to the idea of a main character whose primary goal isn't to conquer the game or amass wealth, but simply to indulge in their love of reading. This felt like a refreshing twist on the typical VRMMORPG f...
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8
#8 PICK
Ex Rank Supporting Role’s Replay in a Prestigious School
4.2
(442 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
When I cleared the final chapter of a game that was a national failure, I became a side character within it. A non-standard, immeasurable, EX-rank unnamed side character.
First Impressions
I've been diving deep into the world of "Ex Rank Supporting Role’s Replay in a Prestigious School," and I've got some thoughts to share. This novel is quite the ride, with its own unique charm and a few bumps along the way. I've been hooked enough to keep reading, and I think it has the potential to really stand out in the crowded web novel scene. Initially, I was a bit overwhelmed, I will admit. The sheer number of characters introduced early on felt like a tidal wave. It took me a bit to get my bearings and start recognizing everyone, but I found myself appreciating the effort the author put...
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#9 PICK
I Delayed My Death Because Of a Will
4.4
(348 ratings)
Genre: action, adult, adventure
Ten years ago, Yoon Seo saved the world under the name Seo Chaeyoon, but now lives as an anonymous hunter. He plans to die immediately after fulfilling all the last wishes of his deceased comrades, but these wishes, like “3 million squats,” “catching ten 9-kg sea breams,” and “baking 10,000 choc...
First Impressions
I Delayed My Death Because Of a Will immediately grabbed me with its intriguing premise: a protagonist delaying his death due to a series of bizarre wills left by his fallen comrades. The blend of action, fantasy, and psychological elements promised a complex and emotionally resonant story. The setting, with its unique ranking system and color-coded danger zones, felt fresh and well-developed, drawing me into its world. The characters truly shine in this novel. The male lead, Kwon Jihan, is a refreshing departure from the typical arrogant S-class hunter. His caring nature and genuine affection...
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10
#10 PICK
I Became the Cute One in the Troubleshooter Squad
4.5
(376 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
A world where dragons serve as mayors, elves work in sales, and orcs brew coffee. In a city full of enhanced humans and wandering wizards, I became a young girl with psychic powers.
First Impressions
I Became the Cute One in the Troubleshooter Squad certainly grabbed my attention with its intriguing title and genre mix. I dove in with high hopes, and I'm happy to say I wasn't disappointed. It’s a fun ride so far, blending cyberpunk dystopia with fantasy elements and a dash of slice-of-life. The premise is definitely unique. We have a gender-bent protagonist, Yuria, who finds herself in a world that feels like a Shadowrun campaign come to life. The world-building is compelling, creating a semi-dystopian future brimming with magic and diverse races. I was immediately drawn into this strange,...
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11
#11 PICK
Seoul Object Story
4.5
(251 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
Humans, once the masters of Earth, were losing their place to the inexplicable phenomena known as Objects. And this is a story about becoming an Object and living worry-free in the Seoul of such a world.
First Impressions
"Seoul Object Story" is a wild ride. It's a blend of genres that I wasn't sure would work together, but somehow, it really does. It's got action, adventure, comedy, fantasy, and a healthy dose of the supernatural, all wrapped up in a unique package. The premise alone is enough to grab your attention: a researcher, caught in a terrorist attack, wishes to be reborn as one of the mysterious "Objects" that now dominate the world. And she gets her wish. The initial chapters can be a bit disorienting, as you're thrown headfirst into a world with its own established rules and hierarchies. It's a bit ...
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Conclusion

Korean sci-fi punches above its weight in terms of plot construction and strategic depth. The selections here range from hard sci-fi to softer genre blends, so check individual descriptions if you have specific preferences. Translation quality varies, which can affect the reading experience for more technical narratives.

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

Everyone Else is a Returnee

First Impressions

Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint

First Impressions

The Legendary Moonlight Sculptor

First Impressions

You’ve Got The Wrong House, Villain

First Impressions

Sovereign of Judgment

First Impressions

Dimensional Sovereign

First Impressions

Reader

First Impressions

Ex Rank Supporting Role’s Replay in a Prestigious School

First Impressions

I Delayed My Death Because Of a Will

First Impressions

I Became the Cute One in the Troubleshooter Squad

First Impressions