An honest look at how one manhwa changed everything—for better or worse.
Ever since Solo Leveling exploded in popularity, the manhwa industry hasn’t been the same. What started as a fresh and exciting concept has now turned into a repetitive formula that feels way too familiar.
The Rise of the “System + Dungeon + OP MC” Formula
Let’s be honest, how many times have you seen this setup?
- A weak main character suddenly gains a system
- There are dungeons or gates
- He becomes overpowered faster than everyone else
At first, it was exciting. Watching a character grow step by step, unlocking abilities, and dominating enemies felt satisfying.
But now? It feels like every new series is just copying the same blueprint.
Where It Started Going Wrong
The problem isn’t that the formula exists, it’s that creators rely on it too much.
Instead of building:
- Unique worlds
- Deep characters
- Creative storytelling
Many stories now focus only on the following:
- Power-ups
- Stats
- Flex moments
And while that might work short-term, it makes stories forgettable.
Power Fantasy vs Real Storytelling
There’s nothing wrong with a strong main character. In fact, it’s part of the appeal.
But when a character:
- Never struggles
- Never loses
- Never grows emotionally
It becomes boring.
What made Solo Leveling stand out wasn’t just power, it was the journey, the atmosphere, and the execution.
My Take
Solo Leveling didn’t ruin manhwa, but the way others copied it did.
The series worked because it felt fresh at the time. The pacing, the art, and the progression all came together perfectly.
But now, it feels like many creators are copying the surface-level idea instead of understanding what made it great.
If this continues, the genre might burn out faster than expected.
What Do You Think?
Do you think Solo Leveling started an amazing trend, or did it accidentally make manhwa more repetitive?
Let me know your thoughts.