This is literary science-fiction. I identified it by taking the genre it definitely must fit in, and then looking for a commonly used, readily understood modifier that subtracts the "gee whiz" elements of the genre, and adds in what for-lack-of-a-better-word we might call more "literary" qualities.

It is a well-known, critically acclaimed, and reasonably popular subgenre.

This is literary science-fiction. I identified it by taking the genre it definitely must fit in, and then looking for a commonly used, readily understood modifier that subtracts the "gee whiz" elements of the genre, and adds in what for-lack-of-a-better-word we might call more "literary" qualities.

It is a well-known, critically acclaimed, and reasonably popular subgenre.

EDIT: Based on comments from the original poster, I'm amending my answer to science-fiction soap opera. The justification is similar. Since this is set on another planet, the primary genre of "science fiction" is mandated. But the modifier "soap opera" tells you to expect a trashy, fast-paced read, filled with backstabbing interpersonal conflicts.