“Player Who Returned 10,000 Years Later” (만 년 만에 귀환한 플레이어) is a Korean action‑fantasy manhwa first serialized in 2022. It follows Oh Kang‑Woo, an ordinary gamer who inexplicably falls into Hell with only his will to live and a unique “Predator” power. Over ten thousand years in Hell he devours countless demons and even subjugates the demon princes, yet he grows bored of the demon stew and vows “I will return”. Indeed, after those ten millennia he does return to Earth, finding the modern world drastically changed. In Earth’s new reality – full of monster-filled dungeons and game-like level systems – Kang‑Woo must adapt and hide his demonic might as he pursues his next goals.
Story and Plot Summary
After Kang‑Woo’s fall into Hell, he survives purely by absorbing the powers of demons. The manhwa’s synopsis describes how he “fell into Hell… he’s devoured tens and hundreds of thousands of demons, and even the seven archdukes bowed down to him”. Despite his strength, Hell is bleak and foodless, so he spends ages seeking a way home. Eventually he breaks through and wakes up on a transformed Earth. As one reviewer notes, Kang‑Woo returns to an Earth “which has become like a video game” – people now have levels and skills, and deadly dungeons have appeared. Much of the story after his return follows Kang‑Woo navigating this new “game-like” world, forming alliances, and confronting a cult of demons and others who recognize his Hell‑made power.
Main Characters
Oh Kang‑Woo (강우) – The protagonist, originally a human gamer. After ten thousand years in Hell, he gains immense demonic power and the title “Lord of the Nine Hells”. He is cunning but morally ambiguous: not evil for its own sake, but ruthless to enemies. (The Fandom wiki confirms Kang‑Woo is the series’ main character.)
Kang Tae‑soo – Kang‑Woo’s childhood friend and loyal ally. A fellow gamer who helps Kang‑Woo adjust to the changed world, Tae‑soo becomes one of Kang‑Woo’s trusted subordinates.
Choi Eun‑bi – A compassionate doctor and another childhood friend. Eun‑bi cares for wounded dungeon survivors and later joins Kang‑Woo’s circle as he protects those he cares about.
Han Seol‑ah – Kang‑Woo’s college classmate and first love (later his “first wife”). Kind and intelligent, Seol‑ah reconnects with Kang‑Woo after his return and becomes one of his close companions.
Lilith – A powerful demoness who ultimately becomes Kang‑Woo’s second wife. Once an archdemon in Hell, Lilith ends up pledged to Kang‑Woo’s service (she even appears listed among his subordinates).
Cha Yeong‑ju – Another long-time friend and strategist, later Kang‑Woo’s third wife. Yeong‑ju is a talented planner who supports Kang‑Woo’s plans on Earth.
Gaia and Balrog – Even mythic figures aid Kang‑Woo. The goddess Gaia becomes a patron supporting him, while Balrog (a legendary demon lord) joins Kang‑Woo’s side after being defeated. These alliances underscore Kang‑Woo’s role as a bridge between gods, demons, and humans.
Where and How to Read
Official English Novel – The original web novel, written by Butterfly Valley, is licensed in English. On WuxiaWorld it’s titled After Ten Millennia in Hell and launched Aug 17, 2023. (The Korean name is 만 년 만에 귀환한 플레이어.) WuxiaWorld shows the novel as “Completed” with 786 chapters. This official translation (by KWBooks) is the best legal way to experience the story in English.
Korean Manhwa – The comic (manhwa) adaptation is drawn by Copin (also known as Team4Player) and began in 2022. According to fan scan sites, Chapter 1 was released on Sep 19, 2022, and the series is ongoing (well past 140 chapters as of early 2026). In Korea it’s serialized online (under the same title), and chapters typically release weekly or biweekly.
English Manhwa Scans – The manhwa is not officially licensed in English yet (as of early 2026), so readers rely on fan scanlation sites. For example, Asura Scans hosts English chapters; it shows the series as ongoing with over 140 chapters and a high reader rating (9.1 out of 10). (A Reddit discussion confirms no official English publisher exists, so scans are the only way to read the comic.) Careful: these are unofficial sources. Always prefer the official novel or Korean releases when available.
WuxiaWorld’s English edition of the series (titled After Ten Millennia in Hell) features a different cover style – here the novel’s protagonists gather over kimchi, with “Epilogue” indicating a later volume. This reflects how the novel often focuses on character interactions and slice-of-life scenes, in contrast to the manhwa’s darker action scenes.
Reception and Reviews
Readers’ opinions vary. The WuxiaWorld novel page shows an average score of 65% (38 reviews). Some fans praise its humor and over-the-top hero. For instance, one reviewer calls it “hilarious, exciting, and just an all-around amazing” story, noting the main character is “as crazy as you’d expect of someone who has been trapped in Hell for 10,000 years”. Others criticize the early chapters as clichéd or slow. A NovelUpdates reviewer summarized it as a “pretty mediocre and generic power fantasy” at first, with few clear goals for the protagonist.
In short, Player Who Returned 10,000 Years Later is popular among fans of overpowered antiheroes and comedic action. If you enjoy game-like fantasy worlds and dark humor, it’s often recommended (several readers on forums say they enjoyed Kang‑Woo’s antics). But if you prefer a tightly plotted story, your mileage may vary. Either way, the series is engaging and ongoing, so there’s plenty to explore – via the official novel on WuxiaWorld or the fan-translated manhwa chapters online.
