Jang Sung-rak

Jang Sung-rak was a South Korean webtoon artist and illustrator, best known as the lead artist behind the globally celebrated manhwa Solo Leveling. Under his pen name DUBU, he brought to life the story written by Chugong, creating a visual style that redefined action webtoons. As the CEO of REDICE Studio, he steered the series to international fame, with millions of readers across platforms like Webtoon and KakaoPage. His work has been credited with popularizing Korean webcomics worldwide, and his legacy continues through the anime, film, and art books released after his passing.

Jang's art was marked by dynamic action sequences, detailed character designs, and a cinematic use of light and shadow. Fans admired his ability to convey raw power and emotion on the page. Though he passed away on July 23, 2022, at age 37, his influence remains strong, with memorial events and continued franchise expansions keeping his memory alive. [edit]

Details about Jang Sung-rak's early life are scarce, but he was born on March 5, 1985, in South Korea. From a young age, he showed a deep interest in drawing, eventually pursuing a career in the comics industry. He adopted the pen name DUBU, under which he would later gain fame. Before Solo Leveling, he worked on several webtoon projects, building his skills and reputation as an artist. He joined REDICE Studio, where he rose to become CEO, a role that combined his artistic talent with leadership.

His pre-fame years were spent honing his craft, often working long hours to perfect his style. The exact details of his education and early jobs remain private, but his dedication to art was evident in the quality of his later work. The breakthrough came in 2018 when he began illustrating Solo Leveling, a project that would change his life and the webtoon industry forever. [edit]

Jang Sung-rak's career reached its pinnacle with Solo Leveling, which began serialization in 2018. The manhwa, based on Chugong's web novel, quickly became a sensation, amassing a massive global readership. Its success was driven by Jang's intricate artwork, which brought the protagonist Sung Jinwoo's journey to life with stunning clarity. The series ran until 2021, concluding after 179 chapters, and has since spawned an anime, a film, and a sequel series.

As CEO of REDICE Studio, Jang oversaw the franchise's expansion, ensuring its quality remained high. After his death, his work continued to be recognized: the 2024 anime and Solo Leveling: ReAwakening film both credit him as a writer. In 2025, Netflix acquired the web novel rights, and in 2026, The Art of Solo Leveling art book was released, featuring his sketches. A memorial exhibition in Changwon, South Korea, also opened in March 2026, drawing fans to celebrate his legacy. [edit]

Jang Sung-rak is remembered as a pioneering figure in the webtoon industry, with a public image centered on his artistic genius and dedication. His style, characterized by fluid action lines and dramatic lighting, set a new standard for manhwa. Fans often praise his ability to make every panel feel like a movie still, and his work on Solo Leveling is considered a benchmark. The fandom, though without an official name, is vast and active, with tributes and fan events continuing years after his death. His passing also turned him into a symbol of the pressures faced by webtoon artists, sparking conversations about work-life balance in the industry. [edit]

The fanbase surrounding Jang Sung-rak operates without a formal moniker, instead coalescing around the singular identity of his pen name, DUBU. This community distinguishes itself through an intense fusion of artistic tribute and industrial advocacy, transforming global mourning into a sustained campaign for better working conditions within the manhwa sector. Following his passing in 2022, fans mobilized with unprecedented speed, flooding digital spaces with tributes and organizing annual memorial events on July 23rd to honor his legacy. Their devotion transcended typical fandom behavior; they treat every posthumous release as a sacred gift, turning the character Sung Jinwoo into a vessel for their creator's memory. The narrative of the "tragic genius" who sacrificed his health for his craft has become central to their collective identity, driving charity drives that support underpaid artists and ensuring his story remains a cautionary tale about industry pressures. Despite the lack of an official group name, the scale of this movement rivals established pop culture phenomena, propelling *Solo Leveling* from a webcomic to a multimedia empire worth billions. iFANN evaluated the subject in August 2026 to determine current standing. Jang Sung-rak is currently not ranked in the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. While he holds no placement in the published rankings, his cultural footprint remains immense, driven by a dedicated following that refuses to let his contributions fade.[edit]

Jang Sung-rak passed away on July 23, 2022, due to a cerebral hemorrhage, though some reports cite the announcement date as July 22. His pen name DUBU remains iconic among fans, serving as a primary tag for fan art and tributes long after his death. Fans now hold annual memorial events every July 23rd where they share artwork and organize virtual watch parties using the hashtag #RememberDubu. A widely retold story highlights how the global mourning sent shockwaves through the entertainment world within hours of the announcement, trending worldwide on major platforms. The upcoming Solo Leveling Memorial Exhibition in Changwon, scheduled for March 2026, will further cement his status as a cultural icon, drawing fans to pay homage to the man behind the world's most famous hunter. The community frequently organizes charity drives in his name to support underpaid webtoon artists, directly addressing the working conditions that contributed to his decline. A central legend surrounding him involves the climactic "Arise" scene from *Solo Leveling*, which fans recount as a prophetic moment where the artist's own life and his hero's journey converged in themes of rebirth and sacrifice. Another persistent narrative describes how he balanced dual roles as CEO and lead artist, often working late nights until his collapse, a practice verified by studio statements regarding his health history.[edit]

Public information about Jang Sung-rak's family is extremely limited. He kept his personal life private, and no credible sources detail his parents, siblings, or any household details. There is no record of a spouse, partner, or children. His focus was largely on his work, and he rarely discussed personal matters in interviews or public appearances. As a result, fans know little about his family background, though his legacy continues to be celebrated by the global community that admired his art. [edit]

Jang Sung-rak is closely associated with Chugong, the author of the Solo Leveling web novel, and with REDICE Studio, where he served as CEO. The sequel series Solo Leveling Ragnarok is illustrated by h-goon, who took over after Jang's death. His work has also been recognized by the global anime community, with the 2024 adaptations carrying his name. [edit]

There is no public record of Jang Sung-rak having any romantic relationships, dating history, or marriages. He kept his personal life completely private, and no credible sources have reported on any partners or family. As of his death in 2022, he was reportedly single, with no known spouse or children. His focus remained on his work, and he never shared details of his personal life with the public. [edit]

Jang Sung-rak died on July 23, 2022, at the age of 37. REDICE Studio confirmed his passing the following day, citing a sudden cerebral hemorrhage triggered by a chronic underlying illness. The announcement marked the loss of the artist behind Solo Leveling. Tributes flooded social media immediately, with fans using hashtags like #RIPDUBU to share fan art and express grief. The news sparked industry-wide conversations about the grueling schedules faced by webtoon creators. No public funeral service was held, as the family and studio kept the arrangements private. Posthumous projects continued to move forward under the management of his estate. The 2024 anime adaptation and the film Solo Leveling: ReAwakening both credited him. In 2026, the release of The Art of Solo Leveling featured exclusive sketches and commentary, while a memorial exhibition in Changwon drew crowds to celebrate his visual legacy.[edit]

Jang Sung-rak's net worth is difficult to estimate, as no public figures were published during his lifetime. After his death, his estate has continued to generate revenue through the Solo Leveling franchise, including the anime, film, art book, and Netflix adaptation. Per iFANN's editorial analysis, the estate is estimated to be worth around $10 million as of 2026, based on ongoing royalties and licensing deals. The exact breakdown is private, but the franchise's continued success suggests significant earnings from intellectual property rights. The memorial exhibition and art book sales also contribute to the estate's income, ensuring his financial legacy endures.[edit]