Monsters invading the world through dimensional portals is quite a mainstream apocalyptic premise in urban fantasy by today’s standards particularly in South Korea at least as far as I know. For this list, I focused on stories where it’s still in the initial stages of the apocalypse or there’s an evident struggle for humans marked by the horrific loss of human lives. Guilds and related institutions are yet to exist or may exist in embryonic form and aren’t very effective in their roles as dungeon breaks or overflows still happen very frequently.
A Monstrous First Day (KR)
By luck, Han Seungmoon catapults himself from a errand boy/secretary to being the youngest assemblyman South Korea has ever voted for. However, what seemed to be a sweet dream was turned into a nightmare when monsters appeared and started tearing into people’s flesh on the day that he was sworn into office. Things have gone completely awry, and the entire country was anything but safe and peaceful. Seungmoon is a self-serving person if anything else, and just what can one person do in this hellscape?
My Rating: 7.5/10
Carnivorous Hunter (KR)
Humanity was pushed to the brink of extinction when monsters started pouring into the world from dimensional holes. From the small fraction that survived the slaughter, humans awakened supernatural abilities and managed to build safe cities that tried to preserve civilization. Outside of these bulwarks is the wilderness which is both a source of opportunity and danger for hunters. Few normal humans can make a living here, but Park Sunwoo, a non-awakened, has been a successful veteran guide in the wilderness. Through an accident, he finally awakens a predatory power, but him alone isn’t enough to stop the grim future that awaits mankind.
My Rating: 8.5/10
Warrior High School – Dungeon Raid Department (KR)
When monsters swarmed all over the world, humans also awakened the ability to fight against them. Awakeners or adventurers are the hype in the current age, and Yoo Jaryong has been working as a dungeon smuggler to pay for his father’s hospital bills when the Warrior High student that he saved invited him to join her school. He is overwhelmingly strong for someone of his age, but will that still be the case when he enrolls? What’s more is that Jaryong will inevitably be drawn into the huge conspiracy that involves the world’s former strongest adventurer, his own father.
My Rating: 8/10
Seoul Station Druid (KR)
After the cataclysm, countless humans were transported to other worlds. While some returned to Earth after a few years of adventuring, Park Suho was stuck in a prehistoric dimension for a thousand years. In this world where ferocious beasts fight for survival and supremacy. he slowly carved himself a spot among a pack of wolves. There, he lived like a wolf until he woke up back to the present Earth. The current civilization is no longer what he remembered. It is now the age of hunters. But, what gives? It seems that he was only missing for 10 years. What’s even weirder is that while other worlds’ locations are known, the world he came back from can’t be found.
My Rating: 7.5/10
I Am the Sorcerer King (KR)
The Sorcerer King Karatauras reached the apex of humanity, but his power was still insignificant against the dragon, Akaluman. On his dying breath, his reincarnation magic sent his soul to Earth, and he successfully reincarnated as Lee Sunghoon, a non-awakener who has been working as a transporter to pay for his mother’s hospital bills. Earth during this time is fraught with extradimensional monsters, and only human awakeners have the ability to fight against them. Being a sorcerer in his past life, he knew of its shortcomings, so he decides to combine magic, cultivation, modern technology and the ahkashic system to reach the pinnacle where dragons reign supreme.
My Rating: 7.5/10
My S-Class Hunters (KR)
What’s worse than dying is probably causing the death of the person you cared for the most. Han Yoojin lived a life full of failures and was often mocked as a burden to his talented younger brother. When he got the chance to relive his life before everything took a nosedive, he decided to live a carefree one. However, caring for others which is a second nature to him manifested as his ability. He has become a caregiver capable of raising “monsters”.
My Rating: 7.5/10
Limit Breaker (KR)
Kim Kibong was a 20-year-old college student who part-timed in a convenience store. Like anyone of that age, he wanted excitement or an adventure of sorts, and he got it. Monsters popped out of nowhere, and he was dragged into a dimension that prevented him from leaving until he awakens as a player. What’s worse is that a bug kept him stuck inside. Desperate yet determined, he grew to the limit and rips apart the prison-like dimension. However, the world has changed so much when he came out. Ten years have gone by, and it may be too late to reconnect with his family.
My Rating: 7/10
Past Life Returner (KR)
February 28, 1985 was the date of his birth. Na Seon Hu chose to go back all the way to his life’s starting point. It was a time before the apocalypse came and humanity’s enslavement. He knows that a powerful ability alone can’t protect anyone from what’s to come. What’s his first step? Earn money… So much money that the entire world will be at his beck and call. Utilizing his knowledge of the future, he takes steps to control the world economy and slowly builds up his own force that will help mitigate the catastrophic loss of life during the initial stages of apocalypse.
My Rating: 8.5/10
Iyashi's Long-windedness 