Although it has been three years since the manhwa Solo Leveling concluded, the work continues to receive recognition. Recently, this series was awarded the Grand Prize at the World Webtoon Awards, an event held at the end of last month.
According to a report by The Korea Times, this award is part of the inaugural World Webtoon Awards, an initiative driven by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of South Korea alongside the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA). This new award aims to enhance the global presence of webtoons, one of the most significant cultural exports of South Korea.
The ceremony took place as part of the World Webtoon Festival, an event featuring other popular webtoon series such as “Lookism” and “Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint.” “Lookism” has had an animated adaptation produced by Studio Mir, released on Netflix in 2022, while “Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint” revealed its first trailer at Anime Expo earlier this year.
Redice Studio’s CEO, Jang Jung-sook, accepted the award on behalf of “Solo Leveling,” in memory of the studio’s founder and manhwa artist Jang Sung-rak (DUBU), who passed away in 2022.
In a statement, Jung-sook mentioned that the studio has always strived to create high-quality webtoons that are loved by readers worldwide, honoring the late artist’s aspirations.
Solo Leveling has been read over 14 billion times, establishing itself as a giant in the world of webtoons.
Additionally, the franchise continues to expand. “Solo Leveling: Ragnarok,” a sequel to the original series, launched in Korea in August and has garnered significant interest. Fans of Solo Leveling are also eagerly awaiting the upcoming second season of the anime.
Notable winners at the World Webtoon Awards 2024 include:
– Garbage Time by 2Sazang.
– To Help You Understand by Lanyon and Ocean.
– The Great by Gwangjin and Jimin.
– The Boxer by Jeong Ji Hoon.
– Married Woman Killer by YOON and Black.
– The Remarried Empress by Alphatart and Sumpul.
– Hellbound by Yeon Sang-ho and Choi Gyu-seok.
– I Don’t Have a Home by Wannan.
– Unemployed Gyebaeksoon by Delayed Action (Best New Comic).
– Tomahawk Angel by Odysseas Theodoratos (International Award).
– Tastes of Horror: Ghost Story Feast by Story Plus and TOH Crew (Experimental Award).