Dragon Raja

''Dragon Raja'' () is the first series of fantasy web novels written by Lee Yeongdo, a widely recognized author in South Korean fantasy and science fiction literature. The books chronicle the adventures of a 17-year-old boy Hutch Nedval, his mentor Karl Heltant and his friend Sanson Percival, all of whom are from the poor town of Fief Heltant in the Kingdom of Bysus. The main story arc, told in the first-person by Hoochie, concerns the three's quest to rescue their people from the black dragon Amurtaht by finding money to pay the ransom; then to find and protect a lost Dragon Raja girl, who would serve as the bridge between people and dragons and stop a crimson dragon that terrorized the continent 20 years ago.

Lee showcased his first chapters of ''Dragon Raja'' on October 3, 1997, on a serial forum of an online service provider, Hitel. For the duration of 6 months after the initial debut he updated approximately 12,000 pages of ''wongoji'' (a Korean form of Genkō yōshi), a material length equivalent to that of 1715 letter pages, and the story quickly gained popularity. Golden Bough, an imprint of Minumsa Publishing Group purchased the publishing rights, and ''Dragon Raja'' was published upon its completion in 12 paperback volumes.

Prior to 1998 the fantasy genre in Korea, specifically its medievalist form, was considered unsubstantial and unaccounted for by many, especially the press and the literary world. But ''Dragon Raja'' was an immediate success, and became a bestseller fantasy title in Korea. In 2011, ''Dragon Raja'' was reported as having sold close to 2 million copies in 4 languages.

The success of ''Dragon Raja'' prompted two big phenomena in the Korean publishing industry. First, fantasy literature "gained the attention of publishers and writers as the new goldmine" and opened the new era for Korean fantasy market. Speculative fiction also gained more support in the literary world, and more writers of "serious literature" began using fantasy and science fiction elements in their works.
Secondly, the amount of online serials getting published increased greatly, in mostly "genre literature" (), which is a Korean umbrella term for genre of novels including romance, fantasy, wuxia, science fiction and mystery. Once published, it also took relatively less time for such online fiction, or "Internet literature" (), to be adapted into other media, and also in more varied forms. In the case of ''Dragon Raja'' was adapted into games, radio drama, and textbook texts.

Plot

A black dragon named Amurtaht terrorizes Fief Heltant, prompting the king to send the white dragon Catselprime and his Dragon Raja to subdue her. When Catselprime is killed and survivors are taken hostage, Amurtaht demands a massive ransom. Hutch Nedval, Karl Heltant, and Sanson Percival travel to the capital to report the loss and seek aid. Along the way, they battle orcs, gain allies—including the elf Iruril and dwarf Axelhand—and uncover a magical plague afflicting Fief Carlyle. They discover the plague is part of a Djipenian military experiment involving a cursed zone called the "Sacred Land" and prepare to bring this intelligence to the king.

On their way to the capital, the party meets Neria, a red-haired thief, and Gilsian, a bull-riding warrior later revealed as the king’s exiled brother. In the capital, they report Catselprime’s death and the Djipenian threat; the king agrees to help, but the kingdom lacks the jewels to pay the ransom, as mining has been halted due to signs of Kradmesser awakening, the crimson dragon that nearly devastated the continent decades ago. The party begins a search for a missing daughter of House Halshteil that may be a Dragon Raja capable of forming a pact with the dragon. After a confrontation with the traitorous noble Nexon Huritchell and vampire sorceress Shione, they travel to the Duchy of Ilse. There, they find Lenni, a red-haired girl in Port Delhapha, as the likely Raja. However, Sione and Nexon attack again, turning cities into Sacred Lands and abducting Lenni amid the chaos.

The party pursues Nexon into the Eternal Forest, where a magical effect splits individuals into versions with fragmented memories. While the party escapes with Iruril's help, Nexon loses control and kills his own duplicates. He flees into the Dragon Lord’s Great Labyrinth, where the party meets the Dragon Lord and attains treasure sufficient to pay Amurtaht’s ransom. The party continues to chase Nexon and learns that a Raja from Halshteil released the blue dragon Jigoleid from the battlefield with Djipan to serious military consequences.

Back at the capital, the party learns that Marquess Halshteil plans to use the newly freed Raja to forge a contract with Kradmesser and seize control of Bysus. They rush to bring Lenni to the Brown Mountains, where Kradmesser lies dormant, triggering a three-way race against Halshteil and Nexon.

Main characters

Creatures as collectives are not included. Characters are categorized by affiliations.

Delegates from Heltant

Hutch Nedval

Hutch Nedval (alternatively spelled as Hoochie Nedval) is the 17-year-old protagonist and narrator of the story, which follows his journey and experiences during a “magical autumn", a once-in-a-lifetime season from the fall of the first leaves to the arrival of the first snow, when extraordinary things become possible for those who recognize the moment.''Dragon Raja'', ch. 1 "The Horse Charging Into Dawn"

Hutch is the only son of a candlemaker in Fief Heltant and was expected to follow his father’s trade, but his life changes after his mother is killed in a monster attack linked to the dragon Amurtaht. When his father is later captured during an expedition against the dragon, Hutch joins an official delegation—alongside Karl and Sanson—to raise the ransom. Though untrained in combat, he becomes one of the party’s most agile fighters thanks to the Ogre Power Gauntlets, a magical artifact that grants him superhuman strength. Raised in a harsh environment, Hutch is resilient, witty, and sharp-tongued, often resolving conflicts through humor and quick thinking. Despite lacking formal education, he is mentored by Karl and becomes one of the story’s most eloquent voices. He also enjoys singing and often performs ballads during the journey.

* Concept and creation: As the story’s first-person narrator, Hutch provides limited physical description of himself. However, in a scene where he disguises himself as a 17-year-old girl to infiltrate the Halshteil family, it is implied that he has a slender, androgynous appearance. Author Lee has stated that Hutch’s name was derived from the first and last syllables of the Korean phrase Hu-an-mu-chi (후안무치, 厚顔無恥), which means "brazen-faced and shameless."

Karl Heltant

Karl Heltant is one of the main protagonists of the story alongside Hutch and Sanson. The younger half-brother of the Viscount of Heltant, Karl lives a reclusive life in the forest on the edge of the fief. When the Viscount and his army are captured by the dragon Amurtaht, Karl is appointed as an official delegate to report to the king and seek support for their rescue. Karl leads the group with calm authority and broad intelligence in fields such as history, linguistics, and politics.''Dragon Raja'', ch. 5 "The Black Hand of Vengeance" Though outwardly an unassuming middle-aged man, he is known for his formal speech, composed demeanor, and sharp tongue when provoked. He also mentors Hutch, shaping his eloquence and narrative style. Having once pursued a political career, Karl returned disillusioned and chose a quiet, independent life in his hometown.

* Concept and creation: Hutch describes Karl as an ordinary-looking, middle-aged man with brown hair and an unremarkable presence—someone easily forgotten after passing by. He speaks in a formal and polite manner of speech, typically addressing others by their surnames. A devoted bibliophile, Karl favors academic texts over popular literature and is notably well-read in a wide range of disciplines, including history and theology. His strategic insight and intellectual versatility make him a key advisor figure within the story.''Dragon Raja'', ch. 4 "The Bull and the Magic Sword" According to author Lee, Karl’s name comes from the Korean word kal (칼), meaning "sword," referencing his sharp intellect and tongue. In the story, political figures like King Nilsian and Nexon attempt to bring Karl to their side, seeking to wield his intellect as a political weapon.'' Dragon Raja'', ch. 12 "An Omnious Prediction"

Sanson Percival

Sanson Percival is the captain of the guard in Fief Heltant and one of the few survivors of the failed expedition against the dragon Amurtaht. Assigned as Karl’s personal guard during the delegation journey, Sanson is a large, powerful warrior nicknamed "ogre" by Hutch. Though simple-minded at times, he is known for his honesty, strength, and loyalty, and he shares a close friendship with the younger Hutch.

Sanson is portrayed as the strongest warrior in the story, excelling in strength, skill, and endurance. He demonstrates exceptional leadership during the delegation journey from Heltant to the capital Bysus, overseeing logistics, budgeting, route planning, and tactical decision-making. He is also proficient in reading maps, organizing personnel, and commanding in battle, fulfilling the role of a field commander with competence. Throughout the story, he is seen referencing military strategies, particularly those of the famed tactician Hazlitt, and shows notable skill in horseback riding.''Dragon Raja'', ch. 2 "Of Kettles and Heads"

* Concept and creation: According to author Lee, Sanson’s name comes from the Korean phrase ssen son(Korean: 쎈 손), meaning "strong hands" in battle. The last name Percival has originated from the Knights of the Round Table.

* Perosnal Life: Sanson is engaged to a maid from the royal castle, though he keeps her identity secret. According to Hutch, her identity likely lies among three women—Margret from the kitchen, Anne from the laundry, or Gladys from the storehouse. Hutch composed a playful song referencing the scents of food, lye, and wine of a "maid of the mill" to hint at her true identity and to tease Sanson.

Other companions (in order of appearance)

Iruril Sereniel

Iruril Sereniel is an elven warrior and sorceress who joins Hutch’s group after encountering them during a battle with orcs. Initially intrigued by the humans’ reasoning and character, she accompanies them to the capital. She wields both sword and magic, with a natural affinity with elementals and spirits. Though composed and logical, her limited grasp of human emotions and customs often leads to naive or humorous remarks. Over time, she develops a close friendship with Hutch and the party. Iruril is on quest to resolve her race's existential crisis—the elves, born in harmony, now question their place in the world. Her mission is to the legendary Archmage Handrake who may have the solution for her people.''Dragon Raja'', ch. 9 "The Stars Bestow Light on Those Who Gaze"

Concept and creation: Iruril is depicted as a beautiful elf woman with long black hair, clad in leather pants and a white blouse. Though she appears youthful, she is over 120 years old. Her name derives from the Korean word ''iruri'' (Korean: 이루리, "shall accomplish"). While Iruril is the only elf that appears in the story, elves are described as a race inherently in harmony with all beings around them, following Eupinel, the deity of harmony.

Axelhand Eindelf

Axelhand Eindelf, the Knocker of the dwarves, serves as their political authority and spokesperson. Though he cannot command other dwarves by force he alone can convene major councils and speak on behalf of all dwarven clans. Over 300 years old, he wields a massive battle axe. He prefers traveling on foot but adapts to wagons and horses while accompanying Hutch’s party. Upon signs of a dragon's awakening in the Brown Mountains near dwarves' mines, he journeys to the human capital, Bysus Impel, to evaluate the threat against humans' records.''Dragon Raja'', ch. 9 "A Choice With No Right Answers"

Aphnaidel

Aphnaidel is a young human wizard, initially posing as a self-proclaimed “Archmage”working under a corrupt buisnessman Baron Silikian. His ealry magic is weak and reliant on tools and gimmicks, until Iruril's intervention prompts his redemption. A former apprentice of a royal wizard, he fled training out of impatience. After leaving Silikian's service, he joins Hutch's group with Axelhand's endorsement.
Haunted by self-doubt, he grows from shaky beginnings to cast powerful illusions, earning a nickname "Topmage" from Hutch.''Dragon Raja'', ch. 6 "Topmage"

* Concept and creation: Aphnaidel’s name is a pseudonym borrowed from his former mentor Jonathan Aphnaidel, the royal wizard of Bysus. His real name remains unrevealed. His character arc centers on self-doubt, persistence, humility, and reclaiming confidence in own's passion.

Unchai

Unchai is a Djipenian spy captured during a covert mission to weaponize Sacred Land. Facing execution, he's swayed by Hutch and Gilsian, and defects to expose Djipen's experiments. He later serves as a diplomatic witness in Archducy of Ils and rejoins the party after a conditional pardon.''Dragon Raja'', ch. 13 "Elegy of the Archmage" A master of fast-blade techniques and "killing aura," he earns the nickname "Monster Eyeball" from his enemies. Djipenian customs forbid direct contact or conversation with unrelated women, so he communicates with female companions through Hutch--eventually forming a tentative romantic bond with Neria.

* Concept and creation: Unchai reflects cultural contrasts, highlighting Djipen's strict traditions vs. Bysus norms. His full background is further revealed in the sequel ''Future Walker''.

Neria

Neria "the Trident" is a red-haired thief who calls herself a "nighthawk." She first encounters Hutch's group in the city of Iramus while attempting to rob them. TAlthough captured after stealing the group's travel funds to pay her due to the thieves' guild, she is released after explaining her circumstances. Moved by their leniency, she later returns to repay the stolen money and voluntarily joins the group. Agile, witty, and streetwise, she is the most worldly member of the party. She often argues with Unchai, with Hutch as their intermediate, and gradually develops a relationship.

* Concept and creation: Her monicker“the Trident,”reflects both her signature weapon and guild reputation, including a notorious encounter with a figure named Moondancer. Neria has a fear of darkness and thunderstorms, which contrasts with her otherwise confident demeanor. Her relationship with Unchai gradually develops over the course of the story, adding a subplot that highlights trust-building and emotional growth within the larger narrative framework.

Gilsian Bysus

Gilsian Bysus (alternatively spelled Gilsyon Vyseus) is the former crown prince of Bysus, removed from succession after abandoning his duties. He wields the sentient ''Prim Blade''and rides ''Thunder Rider'', a cursed horse transformed into a bull, and wears a mismatched set of armor. His sword frequently interjects in his speeches with unsolicited remarks. Despite his eccentric and carefree demeanor, Gilsian demonstrates leadership in critical moments, including protecting his group and thwarting assassination attempts against his younger brother, King Nilsian. Hutch describes Gilsian as a true king, "one who shows their back”by standing at the front to shield others.''Dragon Raja'', ch. 7 "The Girl by the Port"

Jeraint Chimber

Jeraint Chimber is a priest of Teperi, the god of crossroads and halflings, whose followers are granted infalliable guidance when choosing between two options. He joins Hutch's group at the direction of his temple, tasked with verifying the identity of a Dragon Raja. Known for bending temple rules, he earned the nickname "Teperi's misfortune" for sneaking in secular books and alcohol. Upon joining the group, he is granted a rare divine mark by the High Priest, enabling him to perform powerful miracles such as healing a wounded dragon and causing earthquakes. He is described as a young man in his mid-20s with black hair, a small build, and sharp, expressive eyes that reflect his mischievous personality.

Kingdom of Bysus (in order of appearance)

* Gemini Smeintag, Hutch Nedval’s childhood friend and romantic interest. Her affection for Hutch is through gestures such as cooking him a farewell meal and sewing his sword belt before his departure. Their bond is suggested through flashbacks and key scenes, when Hutch finds Gemini waiting for him on the village gate on his unannounced return.''Dragon Raja'', ch. 15 "The Dragon Soaring Into Dusk"

* Tyburn Highseeker, a blind wizard who appears in the opening chapter of the novel. Appointed as acting captain of Fief Heltant during the lord and the army's absence, he recruits Hutch as his assistant. Despite his blindness, Tyburn is proficient in magic, using tattooed spells to cast magic without incantations or visual information. He defends the village against monster attacks and when Hutch saves him from a minotaur's axe, Tyburn offers to grant him a wish and later presents him with magical Ogre Power Gauntlet.

* Pelleil, a young wizard who travels with adventurers Tucker, Krile, and Samantha. He assists Hutch's party in investigating a divine contamination called as the Sacred Land in Fief Carlye. Though ill, he helpos uncover the cause and rescues abducted children from Djaipenian spies. Later, he provides Karl with strategic advice to win Bysus' war against Djipen. He remains in Carlye to care for orphans and requests that his story be remembered through a song titled "The Grand Mage Pelleil and the Fifty Kids."''Dragon Raja'', ch. 3 "The Grand Mage Pelleil and the Fifty Kids"

* Nexon Hurichel, the son of Count Ronen Hurichel , commander of king's forces sent to Fief Heltant. A conspirator against Bysus, he operates the capital's thieves' guild and collaborates with Djipen through the agent Sione. Decared a traitor, Nexon flees to the Archduchy of Ils and abducts Lenni, a Dragon Raja, to form a contract with a powerful dragon. Near Dragon Lord's Grand Labyrinth, he is split into five versions of himself by a magical rupture. Most of the duplicates are destroyed, leaving the original mentally unstable and consumed by hatred for Bysus and the House of Halshteil, the family of Dragon Rajas.

* Marquis Halshteil, the head of a noble family that has produced Dragon Rajas for past 300 years under the blessing of the Dragon Lord. Their three-century pact secured noble status within the Kingdom of Bysus. By the time of the main story the 300-year blessing has expired, and the family's influence is waning. In order to restore their power, Marquis Halshteil raise a private army and initiates a selective breeding plan using children with Dragon Raja traits. Upon learning of Lenni, his illegitimate daughter, he seeks to bring her back to the family to continue the lineage and form a pact with the dormant dragon Kradmesser.

Archduchy of Ilse

* Lenni, a red-haired teenager living in the port city of Delhafa with her adoptive father Greydon, who runs a small tavern called the Whale’s Boneyard. Abandoned as a child by a traveling stranger, Lenni was raised unaware of her true identity. She is revealed as a powerful Dragon Raja, destined to form a pact with the dormant dragon Kradmesser and play a pivotal role in averting continental doom. Despite her fate, she shows little interest in power or luxury, joining Hutch's group only on the condition of returning home afterward.

Djaipen

* Sione, a female vampire an recurring antagonist. She is first introduced in Carlyle wearing a black robe accompanied by a crow, and later revealed to be a high-level Djipen spy. Within Bysus intelligence circles, she is notorious for assassinating a front-line general, attempting to kill the king, and conducting bioweapon experiments that transform zones into "Sacred Lands” using the power of the plague god Geden. She also aligns herself with the traitor Nexon.

Dragons

* Amurtaht, a female black dragon known as the "Sentinel of the Sunset" and "Black Spear of Helcanes." She awoke from dormancy in the Grey Mountains roughly fifty years before the novel begins, her presence drawing monsters and threatening nearby human territories such as Fief Heltant. Despite repeated military campaigns including an assault involving the king's white dragon Catseleprime, Amurtart remains undefeated. After her victory over Catseleprime, Amurtart demands ransom for the surviving forces, setting the main characters on their journey.

* Catselprime, a white dragon dispatched dispatched by the king to suppress Amurtart. Though powerful, Catselprime is mortally wounded in a surprise ambush due to Amurtart's foresight and flawed strategy by the royal forces. Catselprime had a deep bond with their Dragon Raja, Dietrich Halsteil, and was said to refuse food unless meat's odor was masked with mint leaves.

* Jigoleid, a Blue Dragon whose breath harnesses lightning. Initially fighting for Bysus on the Djipan front, through his pact with the Dragon Raja Dolman Hansteil, Jigoleid requests to end the pact after the birth of his hatchling to shield it from the brutality of war. This request is ventually accepted by Dolman without consulting Bysus command. Later, when the child is abducted by a sorcerer, Jogileid crosses paths with Hutch's group while in pursuit.''Dragon Raja'', ch. 8 "Weapon of Man"

* Dragon Lord, an immense gold dragon who typically appears as an elderly human via polymorph magic. Once the supreme ruler of the world, he was challenged by Lutherino the Great's rebellion and defeated with the aid of the Archmage Handrake. Gravely wounded, he fled north with the help of the first Marquis of Halshteil. He now resides within the Great Labyrinth, deep inside the Eternal Forest.

* Kradmesser, a powerful crimson dragon whose red scales bear dark, eye-to-tail markings, also known as "Spear of Flame." After his Dragon Raja's death, he went berserk almost annihilating Bysus before inexplicably entering hibernation n the Brown Mountains, 20 years before the novel starts. Signs of his awakening halt dwarves' mining operations, causing a shortage of precious metals that prevents Hutch's group to raise the ransom money. To resolve the crisis and avert the dragon's second rampage, the group sets out to find a suitable Dragon Raja to bond with Kradmesser.

''Dragon Raja'' universe

Races

In ''Dragon Raja'' there are eight sentient races, eight type of beings who can talk, think and worship.

*Humans - The only ones favored by both Uphinel and Helkanes (See Dragon Raja#Deities and Religions), they may worship all gods, while other races follow the deity of their race.
*Elves - Uphinel's little children. They are defined by being in complete harmony with others and among themselves. Elves' primal religion is Gran Elver.
* Dwarves - Known for their gift and affinity with metals and gems, dwarves' eyes see through all illusions and deceptions. A proud race who count honor above all else, dwarves' primal religion is Kariss Numen.
*Halflings - A race with light furry feet and height half that of humans, they're a dexterous race. Halflings' primal religion is Teperi.
*Orcs - A race of fierce fighters, orcs have short, stocky bodies compared to humans and boar-like heads. Survival of the fittest is their social norm, and battles, especially battles in vengeance is the most important activity for orcs. Orcs are nocturnal creatures, and only males go out of their caves, while females bring up the youth in the deepest part of the cave. Orcs' primal religion is Farencha.
*Fairies - A race of little bodies with wings, fairies live above the boundary of dimensions, even that of gods. In the place of a deity, the Fairyqueen rules and represents the fairies.
*Dragon - A race of strength that far surpasses the other races, dragons answer to none, no gods, but themselves. Dragons are said to be the owners of magic, and the first ones to teach magic to other races.
*The Eighth, Unknown Race - Nothing is known about the eighth race, not even whether they exist or not.

Deities and religions

Uphinel and Helkanes

The universe of ''Dragon Raja'' is ruled by two principles: harmony (Uphinel) and chaos (Helkanes). The two principles are interdependent and to coexist the two created time. With time everything in the world started the cycle of birth, death and rebirth.

Uphinel is often referred to as a balance and Helkanes as the mass. But although they are named, Uphinel and Helkanes are more of universal principles than deities. All religions acknowledge the two but worship their lower deities instead.

The eight races with stars follow either of the two, except humans and dragons; both Uphinel and Helcaness concern with humans and intervene endlessly; neither Uphinel or Helcaness intervenes with dragons, who rely on no god but themselves.

Lower deities

= Deities under Upinel

=
* Ashas of Eagle and Glory - The state religion of Bysus
* Gran Elver of Elves and Purity - Primal religion of the elves. The Protector of Chaste Maidens. Gran Elver's library is where the universe's history and knowledge is stored.
* Isa of Oblivion and Aurora - Isa's maidens ask Isa for all the lights from the sky except the sun,
* Kolie of Cats and Dreams - An ancient religion that was annihilated by the Bysus army
* Nileem of Chains and Freedom - The state religion of Djipen
* Orem of Roses and Justice - The state religion of the Principality of Ilse
* Simunian of Earth and Recollection - Primal religion of Humans as a race, the Great Mother Earth. Her larder is said to be boundless. The wife of Grim Ocenia, the tears she sheds for his loss for eternity salts the seawater.
* Ylseine of Mountains and Concealment - The last goddess to leave the earth.

= Deities under Helkanes

=

* Edhelbroy of Cosmos and Storms
* Farencha of Orcs and Vengeance - The Primal religion of the orcs
* Gheden of Crows and Disease - The Biggest Crow, the First Cause of Disease, the Gravedigger That Digs Out. Gheden's symbol is a two-headed crow, for disease comes day and night.

* Grim Ocenia of Seagull and Aspiration - Primal religion of Humans as a race, the Great Father Ocean. The First Fisherman, the First to Be Lost at Sea, his great body lies somewhere in the bottom of the ocean.
* Karis Numen of Dwarves and Fire - The primal religion of the dwarves
* Leti of Swords and Destruction - His clerics pray through sharpening their swordsmanship, and discard names and do not own names which identity.

* Teperi of Haflings and Crossroads - Primal religion of the Halflings. His clerics are given the power of crossroads; when faced with two choices, they're able to choose the right one (right, fundamentally, for Teperi).

Themes

Several key philosophical themes appear throughout ''Dragon Raja'', particularly concerning human nature and identity.

Human individuality and identity

The novel presents humans as inherently multi-faceted beings whose identities cannot be reduced to a single, fixed self. This theme is encapsulated in the recurring line by Archmage Handrake, “I is not singular,” emphasizing that a person is remembered and defined differently by others—whether as a child, friend, rival, or mentor. Identity, in this view, emerges not from introspection but from a network of social relationships.

''Dragon Raja'' contrasts this relational identity with the dragons’ self-contained nature. Unlike dragons, who see themselves as complete and vanish upon death, humans persist through the memories and legacies they leave behind. This idea becomes pivotal when the Dragon Lord, who was defeated by Lutherino the Great, the first king of Bysus centuries ago, long struggled to understand how humanity—so fragile and short-lived—could have launched a hopeless rebellion against dragons' rules. Through conversation with Hutch and the party, the Dragon Lord realises why he lost to a human king: humans, unlike dragons, are not solitary beings. Their identity endures in others’ memories, allowing them to face death for something beyond themselves.

Human influences on the world

The novel also explores how humans impact the world through active engagement with their environment. As Karl Heltant says: ''"When an Elf walks in the forest, she becomes a tree; when a Man walks in the forest, he creates a trail. When an Elf looks up at the sky, she becomes a star; when a Man looks up at the sky, he creates constellations."'' This illustrates the human tendency not to assimilate into the world, but to reinterpret and reshape it through their own perspective. This transformative will sets humans apart from other races.

Even dragons, the most powerful beings in the world of ''Dragon Raja'' can be influenced by humans, as the contract with Dragon Raja forces them to interact with humanity. Yet the story also introduces a reversal: in Fief Heltant, Amurtaat, a dragon without a Raja, gradually shifts human perception, fostering coexistence over control.

Development, publication and reception

Development

In the summer of 1997, Lee was reading and began daydreaming, "in this world wouldn't there be beings other than humanity? What is the humanity's identity?" Lee began thinking of a world where humans and those who are not humans lead intertwined lives. On October 3, Lee posted the first chapter of ''Dragon Raja'' to a forum where he logged in frequently to read others' works.

Lee's story soon attracted thousands of readers, who waited every day for Lee's new chapter. Lee posted usually well after midnight, partly because he had to avoid the unstableness of high traffic, to upload his daily quota, which was 25+ pages on average. The queuing fans called themselves zombies, and Lee their Necromancer, waking them from their sleep every night to check if Lee has posted yet.

Publication

Lee Yeongdo's rapid writing pace during ''Dragon Raja''s initial serialization on Hitel drew immediate attention from publishers. Within a month, multiple publishing houses contacted him, and four months later, he traveled to Seoul to finalize his first publishing deal with Golden Bough, an imprint of Minumsa Publishing Group. Upon completion, the novel was released in twelve volumes beginning in 1998 and quickly became a commercial success. ''Dragon Raja'' was later translated and published in Hong Kong and Taiwan as ''龍族''(2001), and Japan as ''ドラゴンラージャ''(2006), where all twelve volumes were released with localized editions.

In 2008 Golden Bough published a special 10th anniversary hardcover edition, condensing the original 12 volumes into 8 and incorporating years of reader feedback collected since 2005. The limited collector’s set included a fan-drawn map, a picture book based on the in-story fables, and a wooden case based on a design submitted by an overseas fan. Only 2,000 copies were produced, and pre-orders sold out within minutes of launch.

From December 2021 to December 2022, a full-cast unabridged audiobook adaptation of ''Dragon Raja'' was released through Naver Audioclip. Featuring over 30 voice actors and original compositions for all 13 ballads appearing in the novel—plus an additional new song—the production marked the largest-scale audiobook project in Korean publishing history, with an estimated production budget of 300 million KRW (approximately $250,000 USD).

Reception

''Dragon Raja'' was critically and commercially successful across Asia, sparking the expansion of Korean fantasy literature and inspiring a wave of online serializations to enter mainstream publishing. For the novel's 10th anniversary in 2008, the publisher stated the novel was sold over 1 million copies in Korea, and 800,000 copies abroad in Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong combined. As of the early 2010s, the Korean publisher stated working with US and European publishers about translating ''Dragon Raja'' into English and more languages but an official publication has not yet materialized.

Adaptations

Video games

''Dragon Raja Online''

The world of ''Dragon Raja'' and some of the main characters were adapted into an MMORPG titled ''Dragon Raja Online'' (''DRO''). The game began development in 1998 with investment from Samsung Electronics, and officially launched in October 2000 in South Korea by eSofnet. It was subsequently released in Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong in 2001 under the title ''龍族'', where the novel was published in the same title and marketed along with the game. In 2006 the game turned free to play and expanded its services to 10 countries including the U.S.
Following the bankruptcy of eSofnet in 2006 the game rights were acquired by Sesisoft, and the game services were managed by Barunson Interactive and later Gravity Games. Official service for both Korea and global markets ended in 2011, and only unofficial private servers remain online as of 2025.

Mobile games

The first mobile game adaptation was released in 2004 through KT Freetel's mobile game services.The game was a singleplayer RPG designed for feature phones, featuring about 15 hours of gameplay based on the early chapters of the novel.

With the rise of smartphone platforms, several mobile adaptations of ''Dragon Raja'' were released.

In February 2016, ''Dragon Raja M'', an action RPG developed by Vision Bros and published by Locojoy, was released, featuring characters and storylines from the original novel alongside grind-heavy progression systems. In June 2021, Aprogen Games (formerly Locojoy) released ''Dragon Raja Origin'' reusing artwork and selective questlines from 2016 ''Dragon Raja M''. The game is currently serviced by ITOXI.

In May 2019, ''Dragon Raja 2: Future Walker'' by Skymoons Technology incorporated characters from both ''Dragon Raja'' and ''Future Walker''. It was shut down in September 2020. In July 2021, ''Dragon Raja EX'', an idle RPG featuring SD-style characters, was launched by EExpo Games and serviced by NesM.

Animated Works

On February 18, 2025, it was announced that Locus Animation, which produced ''Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs'' and '' Exorcism Chronicles: The Beginning'', was planning to produce an animated adaptation of ''Dragon Raja''.

Illustrated novels

The Japanese editions of ''Dragon Raja'' and ''Future Walker'' are illustrated by Eiji Kaneda,Eiji Kaneda
/ref> who is known for his work for the anime series ''Genesis of Aquarion''.

Radio

''Dragon Raja'' was adapted as a part of KBS Radio 2's ''Fantasy Express'' program, and a total of 83 episodes ran in 2001.

Comic books

''Dragon Raja'' was an inspiration for a series of comic books by Son Bong-gyu of the same title.

References

Primary

External links

{{commons

Lee Yeongdo's official publishing community
(Korean)

Dragon Raja Audiobook - Official Youtube Clips
(Korean)

Dragon Raja Audiobooks
(Korean)

20th-century South Korean novels
Works by Lee Yeongdo
South Korean fantasy novels
1998 fantasy novels
Novels first published online
Novels first published in serial form
Novels about dragons
South Korean web novels