One Of The Best Sci-Fi Books of 2025 Is Already Getting An Adaptation (It Was Confirmed 3 Years Before Release)

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Many popular science fiction shows start as novels, which is ideal for studios because it gives them well-developed stories while still offering something new to viewers. For example, The Expanse was based on the complex political novels by James S. A. Corey, Silo came from Hugh Howey’s mysterious dystopian series, and Foundation adapted the classic space opera by Isaac Asimov. With fewer established franchises available, studios are now frequently looking to science fiction books for their next big hit.

Silvia Park’s 2025 science fiction novel, Luminous, is a character-driven cyberpunk story set in a future, reunified Korea. The novel centers on three siblings – two human and one robot. While Luminous was highly praised upon its release, Media Res – the production company behind shows like The Morning Show, Pachinko, and Scenes From a Marriage – announced plans to adapt it into a TV series three years prior.

Silvia Park’s Cyberpunk Sci-Fi Novel Luminous Getting a TV Adaptation with Media Res

Set in a futuristic Korea, Luminous portrays a world where human-like robots are treated as possessions. The story centers around siblings Jun and Morgan, and their robot brother, Yoyo, who disappeared years prior. Now, Jun works as a detective solving crimes involving robots, having received cybernetic enhancements after serving in the Reunification War. Morgan works for a robotics company called Imagine Friends. The mystery unfolds when a girl named Ruijie forms a bond with a broken robot she finds in a junkyard, hinting at connections to Yoyo’s disappearance.

In 2025, Luminous quickly became a standout science fiction novel. Abigail Nussbaum from Locus Magazine praised it as a potential top science fiction book of the year, drawing comparisons to classic cyberpunk works like Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. Library Journal gave the novel a starred review, calling it a remarkable achievement and noting that it stands out from typical robot stories by focusing on the complex relationships between characters, rather than simply questioning whether robots can be considered human.

In 2022, Media Res obtained the rights to adapt the work after reading an early draft and hearing initial development ideas. While it’s unusual for studios to acquire material before it’s published, they sometimes act quickly when they find something promising. Sources say Media Res was drawn to the story’s compelling characters and unique setting, which offers a fresh take on the cyberpunk genre. By securing the rights early, the company avoided a potential auction that could have significantly increased the cost.

Media Res seems like an excellent choice for this character-focused story. They’ve produced highly-rated shows like Pachinko (Apple TV, a Peabody Award winner), the HBO miniseries Scenes from a Marriage starring Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac, and the unique comedy I’m a Virgo on Prime Video. Besides Luminous, they’re also working on a new version of the sci-fi film Scanners.

I’m really excited about this company – they’re fantastic at building compelling, layered characters and crafting stories that span all sorts of genres. While we don’t know a ton about the upcoming adaptation yet, I highly recommend checking out Park’s Luminous now so you can experience the original story before it becomes what I think will be a phenomenal sci-fi series!

What science fiction novel should be made into a movie or TV show next? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-03-09 15:11