Behind the Curtain: Chugong’s Struggle with Plot Complexity
During a fresh interview for The Art of Solo Leveling, the series’ creator opened up about the hidden pressures that forced a brief, yet pivotal, hiatus. Though he entered the project with a clear beginning and ending for Sung Jinwoo, the day‑to‑day grind of a webnovel meant he constantly tweaked chapters, adding new twists while cutting others. Over time, those edits tangled the narrative, making it impossible to keep the story’s internal logic straight without a pause.
From Shadow Soldiers to a Tangled Web
Chugong’s original spark was simple: "Wouldn’t it be thrilling to have a protagonist who could summon his own soldiers from the shadows?" That one‑line idea blossomed into a full‑blown world where Jinwoo’s powers grew exponentially. Yet, as he layered new monsters, sub‑plots, and lore, the storyline grew dense. He admits he "added more material to certain sections and removed material from others," a process that eventually demanded a week‑long break to re‑align the plot.
July 2017: The One‑Week Hiatus Explained
Kakaopage’s archive shows a short announcement in early July 2017, just before the climactic Chapter 233. The notice promised a one‑week pause to fine‑tune the finale, after which daily releases would resume. This timing aligns perfectly with Chugong’s recollection of stepping back to "connect all the dots" before Jinwoo’s ultimate showdown against Antares, the Monarch of Destruction.
Creator Guilt and Fan Appreciation
Even though the hiatus lasted only a week, Chugong felt genuine remorse for leaving readers hanging. He repeatedly expressed gratitude, saying he hoped to repay fans with an even stronger conclusion. That sentiment still resonates today, especially as the sequel manhwa Solo Leveling: Ragnarok faces its own delay due to artist JIN’s military service.
Overall, the interview sheds light on the often‑overlooked reality of webnovel production: relentless schedules, evolving storylines, and the occasional need to pause for quality. For fans, understanding these behind‑the‑scenes challenges adds a layer of respect for the craft that brings Jinwoo’s shadow‑filled world to life.
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