Web novels are arising, but what are they? 

Web novels are fictional narrative stories read online. Many popular web novels are serialized novels from South Korea, China, or Japan, making them the top read by audiences.

As web novels continue to draw more attention and popularity, it is essential readers are aware of the heavy content some stories have. Such topics included in Heaven Officials Blessing are self-harm, past trauma, and the death of loved ones. The Second Coming of Gluttony deals with depictions of cruelty, pregnancy, and rape.

A Villainess for the Tyrant by Yoo Iran is a recent ongoing web manga of drama, fantasy, and romance. Princess Cecil was forced to marry the heartless Emperor Estian. However, she can’t go down without putting up a fight, even if it costs her her life. This humorous, romantic story is still ongoing, leaving readers clinging to the edge of their seats.

Celeste Academy by Raquel Ann Gil is an ongoing action, fantasy, and romance web novel. It has been adapted into a webcomic with the same title. This story is about a girl named Valeriana Kerrigan, who lost everything and everyone. Although things seem to be going well when her dream school accepts her, the story takes a turn when she encounters demons that want to end her life. Valeriana now must train to be a knight or risk being imprisoned forever.

Second Life Ranker by Sadoyeon is an action-adventure martial arts story with 700-chapter. This story is about Yeon-woo’s twin brother’s mysterious disappearance. One day, Yeon-woo finds a pocket watch left by his brother containing a recording. He learns that his brother’s disappearance was caused by him trying to climb a tower, which turned out to be a dimensional pathway. Yeon-woo must now climb up the tower to retrieve his brother’s pride.

Trash of the Count’s Family by Yoo Ryeo Han is a Korean novel of action-adventure and transmigration. Before falling asleep and being transported, high school student Kim Rok Soo was reading Birth of a Hero. He now inhabits the body of a minor antagonist that gets beaten up by the protagonist of the story Choi Han. With the knowledge he has of the books, he avoids dangers while also changing the story plot and involuntarily gets involved in the affairs of the world.

Heaven Officials Blessing by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu. It was first published in 2018 and was recently released as an animated series on Netflix and a manhua. In this novel, former Prince Xie Lian has ascended for the third time to Heaven. Before he can settle down as a peaceful god, past traumas return. Unimaginable secrets will shake the Heaven, Human, and Ghost Realm. Along his side is the mysterious San Lang, who seems to know Xie Lian better than himself.

The Second Coming of Gluttony by Ro Yu-jin is a completed action-adventure story with over 540 chapters. The main character Seol Jihu is a gambling addict who has destroyed his life. As he looks for a way to get out of his current position, he escapes to a fantasy world but unfortunately dies. Seol gets a second chance to redeem himself and try again. He sends his emotions to his past self to change future events.

Throughout the years, web novels have become more popular and are reaching a greater multitude. Most of them have been adapted into books and comics which were translated into English from eastern languages. Authors are given the opportunity to grow their platform as their web novels gain greater attention and become books and tv series.

Written by Jennifer Rosales | Graphic Designed by Jennifer Rosales

Published February 3, 2022 | ePathfinder | Entertainment