If you’ve ever binged Solo Leveling like your life depended on it, chances are you’ve come across the name “Chugong.” But outside of credits and fan forums, who actually is Chugong — the author of Solo Leveling, the writer who gave life to one of the most legendary power fantasies in modern manhwa history?
Let’s dig in — from pseudonyms to prequels, from anime expansions to behind-the-scenes lore drops, this is everything we know (and everything worth knowing) about the Solo Leveling writer who turned a web novel into a global empire.
Who Is Chugong?
“Chugong” (추공) is a pen name, not a legal name. It roughly translates to “clear autumn sky,” which is pretty poetic when you think about it. That’s all we officially know — the author of Solo Leveling has chosen to stay private, never publicly revealing their face, full name, or personal background.
Online databases sometimes list a name like Kisoryong Chu-Gong, but there’s zero confirmed source behind it. So, for all practical (and respectful) purposes — Chugong is the name that matters.
Oh, and just to clear up a very common mix-up:
👉 Chugong = Writer
👉 DUBU (Jang Sung-rak) = Webtoon Illustrator
Both played key roles in Solo Leveling’s rise, but they’re not the same person.
What Is Solo Leveling?
Solo Leveling began as a web novel on KakaoPage in 2016.
Before we go further, a quick refresher:
Solo Leveling is a South Korean web novel originally published in 2016 on KakaoPage under the Korean title Na Honjaman Level Up (“Only I Level Up”).
It follows Sung Jinwoo, the weakest hunter alive, as he gets a mysterious chance to “level up” — turning from loser to literal god-tier. It’s packed with dungeon crawls, boss fights, betrayal, necromancy, and power scaling that’s as satisfying as popping bubble wrap.
The story was later adapted into a webtoon, exploded in popularity, and then got the full anime + game + global licensing treatment.
What Else Has Chugong Written?
Believe it or not, Solo Leveling isn’t Chugong’s first work.
Before leveling up the world, Chugong wrote a lesser-known fantasy novel titled Paewangeul Boatda (I Saw the Overlord) — a story about a knight who loses the ability to fight with a sword but stumbles upon a diary that might just change everything.
The novel spanned 8 volumes and came out around 2015–2016, but it didn’t make nearly the splash Solo Leveling did. It’s still not available in English, and most fans have never heard of it.
So, in short:
- ✅ Solo Leveling = global mega-hit
- ✅ Paewangeul Boatda = deep cut for the hardcore fans
And aside from these, there are no other confirmed full-length works by Chugong — at least, not yet.
Chugong’s Success Story
From anime to mobile games, Solo Leveling has become a global multimedia franchise.
It all started with a web novel, and ended with a global sensation:
1. The Web Novel Phase
- Debuted in July 2016 on KakaoPage
- Finished its main arc in 2017, with side stories in 2018
- Official English title: Only I Level Up
- Licensed and published in English by Yen Press in 2021
2. The Webtoon Explosion
- Launched in March 2018, with art by DUBU (Redice Studio)
- Serialized on KakaoPage, then went global via Tapas, Tappytoon, etc.
- DUBU tragically passed away in 2022, but his team at Redice continued the work
3. The Anime Adaptation
- Premiered January 2024, produced by A-1 Pictures
- Broke streaming records on Crunchyroll
- Season 2 (“Arise from the Shadow”) aired in early 2025
- Chugong was directly involved in refining anime-original content
4. The Game (Solo Leveling: Arise)
- Released by Netmarble in May 2024
- Grossed over $100 million in the first 3 months
- Includes new characters and lore approved by Chugong
5. The Live-Action Drama
- Announced, still in development
- Will be produced in Korea by Kakao Entertainment
🎤 Chugong Speaks (Sometimes)
Even though they avoid the spotlight, Chugong has occasionally answered fan questions and clarified lore — everything from power rankings to character heights. Some of their highlights:
- Confirmed that Igris (Shadow Marshal) < Bellion (Grand Marshal)
- Debunked theories about an anti-Japanese agenda in the story
- Explained why characters like Goto Ryuji deserved more respect
- Helped the anime team fill in off-screen events for better pacing
So while we may not see them on camera, they’re definitely active behind the scenes.
Just How Big Did Solo Leveling Get?
Let’s talk numbers — because they’re wild:
| Metric | Stat |
|---|---|
| Combined Views (Web Novel + Webtoon) | 14.3+ Billion |
| Game Revenue (First 3 Months) | $100M+ |
| Anime | Most-watched of 2024 |
| Print Sales | Top 11 graphic novels in US (Feb 2025) |
| Game Pre-Registrations | 15 Million |
It reshaped the entire webtoon industry, introduced millions to Korean digital content, and created a mini-genre of “solo” leveling stories. It also bridged Korean storytelling with Japanese anime studios — a big deal culturally.
🔮 What’s Next for Chugong?
➤ Solo Leveling: Ragnarok
The direct sequel is written by Daul, not Chugong. But it has Chugong’s blessing. It follows Jinwoo’s son, Suho, and is already getting its own webtoon.
➤ New Work Coming?
There are hints Chugong is preparing something new — possibly a new novel, spin-off, or something entirely different. Official channels teased that “good news will spread” sometime in 2025.
So while we don’t know what’s next, the hype is real — and the fandom’s ready.
✍️ Final Thoughts
The name Chugong might not be widely known outside anime and manhwa circles — but if you’ve ever searched for the Solo Leveling author, wondered who wrote Solo Leveling, or got lost in the story’s power-scaling perfection, you’ve already met their work.
They’re a quiet giant in the world of digital storytelling — and if Solo Leveling was just the beginning, we’re all here for whatever comes next.
🧠 FAQ: Everything About Chugong, the Solo Leveling Author
Who is the author of Solo Leveling?
The author of Solo Leveling is Chugong, a South Korean web novelist. The story originally debuted in 2016 on KakaoPage and quickly became a digital sensation. Chugong remained anonymous throughout, using a pen name that translates to “clear autumn sky” (추공). Their writing laid the foundation for one of the most successful multimedia franchises in modern anime and manhwa.
Is Chugong a real person?
Yes — but the name “Chugong” is a pseudonym. There is no confirmed photo, full name, or public profile available. Some online sources list “Kisoryong Chu-Gong,” but this has not been officially verified. All we know is that Chugong is South Korean and still actively involved in Solo Leveling’s adaptations behind the scenes.
Did Chugong draw the Solo Leveling manhwa?
No. The webtoon was illustrated by DUBU (real name: Jang Sung-rak) of Redice Studio. DUBU handled all the visual storytelling, while Chugong was responsible for writing the original web novel. The two worked in tandem to shape the Solo Leveling universe, but they had separate roles: writer and artist.
What other works has Chugong written?
Before Solo Leveling, Chugong authored a lesser-known Korean fantasy novel titled Paewangeul Boatda (I Saw the Overlord), released around 2015–2016. It spans 8 volumes and tells the story of a knight who uncovers a powerful diary. The novel was published digitally but never translated into English, and remains relatively obscure.
Is Chugong working on a new project?
Possibly. In early 2025, sources teased that “good news” from Chugong would be revealed mid-year. Whether this points to a brand-new novel, a spin-off, or deeper involvement in future adaptations (like Season 3 of the anime) remains to be seen. Fans are eagerly waiting.
Was Solo Leveling accused of being anti-Japanese?
Yes — but Chugong directly addressed this. They clarified that including Japanese antagonists was a creative choice, not meant to portray the country negatively. In fact, Solo Leveling also features sympathetic Japanese characters. Chugong expressed regret over not giving Goto Ryuji a more nuanced portrayal and emphasized that the story was not written with national bias.