Solo Leveling has become a major force in the fantasy genre, especially after the huge success of its anime season 2 and winning Crunchyroll’s Anime of the Year award. Fans remain eager for Sung Jin-Woo’s upcoming battles in the next season.
Fans are enjoying more Solo Leveling content than ever before, from the anime adaptation to the manhwa and mobile games. However, the original author Chugong recently revealed which version of Solo Leveling is the most authentic.
Chugong calls the webnovel the truest version of Solo Leveling’s story
Unlike many fantasy series with overly complex power systems, Solo Leveling features a simple yet gripping plot that draws in fans.
Many fans have watched Solo Leveling seasons 1 and 2 and read the manhwa adaptation, but only the webnovel reveals the full story of Sung Jin-Woo’s rise from a weak E-rank hunter to the world’s strongest being.
In a recent interview, Chugong confirmed: “The Solo Leveling webnovel is the most authentic, unique, and 100% true version of the story.”
Naturally, the webnovel is also Chugong’s favorite version, as he poured his heart and soul into it. No matter how great the anime and manhwa adaptations are, they remain interpretations of the story Chugong originally told through words.
The webnovel Solo Leveling tells Jin-Woo’s entire story across 270 chapters
Sung Jin-Woo’s story in the Solo Leveling webnovel began on July 25, 2016, when the first chapter was published online. This moment marked the birth of a cultural phenomenon and one of the most iconic modern fantasy heroes the world has seen. Five years later, on December 29, 2021, Jin-Woo’s legendary journey came to an official close.
Throughout its run, the Solo Leveling webnovel released a total of 270 chapters, chronicling Sung Jin-Woo’s full transformation. This makes it one of the most detailed Korean stories ever written. Fourteen volumes have been published by D&C Media, compiling the entire saga into an epic collection.
Meanwhile, Yen Press, known for bringing popular novels to English readers, officially licensed Solo Leveling for English publication. This allows international fans to access an official translation of Chugong’s original work. While fan translations helped build early attention, the official English release ensures consistent quality and story accuracy.
With this confirmation, Solo Leveling fans have even more reason to dive into the original webnovel and experience the Shadow Monarch’s journey in its fullest, most authentic form.