Solo Leveling Creator Regrets This Character’s Fate!

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Summary

  • Chugong wishes Kang Tae-Shik had more screen time in Solo Leveling due to his compelling nature.
  • Kang Tae-Shik’s brief but impactful presence leaves fans wanting more in the series.
  • Despite his potential, Kang Tae-Shik is not expected to appear in Solo Leveling season 3 as the plot progresses.

In the third season of “Solo Leveling,” we can expect to see an array of new characters entering the narrative. Some of these characters will play pivotal roles in Jin-Woo’s personal development, while others will present challenges and obstacles for him to overcome. Prior to these fresh faces stealing the limelight, a once-forgotten villain from the initial story arcs has left such an indelible mark that even the creator of “Solo Leveling,” Chugong, wishes the character had been more prominently featured.

In the popular series Solo Leveling, it’s quite frequent for minor characters, including lesser antagonists, to get minimal on-screen moments. Despite their potential intrigue and depth, the narrative frequently doesn’t allow for extensive exploration of these characters beyond their primary functions. Regrettably, this overlooked villain is one such character who, given more development, could have been far more captivating.

Solo Leveling’s Creator Admits He Wanted More Scenes for Kang Tae-Shik

Chugong Wishes Kang Tae-Shik Has More Time to Shine

Without a doubt, Kang Tae-Shik stands out as one of the most intriguing antagonists in the initial storylines of Solo Leveling, primarily because of his sinister mentality, morally gray character, and insatiable thirst for blood towards the vulnerable. He is particularly notable for his confrontation with Jin-Woo during the Dungeon and Prisoners arc, where he employs stealth in a bid to assassinate humanity’s supposed weakest hunter and claim victory.

Kang Tae-Shik’s tenure in the world of Solo Leveling is relatively brief, noticeably shorter than characters like Woo Jin-Chul and Go Gun-Hee from the Korean Hunters Association. However, despite his limited screen time, his last moments were impactful and poignant. It’s worth mentioning that Kang Tae-Shik was the one who discovered Jin-Woo’s extraordinary ability to level up, and he was also the first person to sense the ominous darkness within Jin-Woo before his own demise.

“Your shadow is connected to the darkness.”—Kang Tae-Shik to Sung Jin-Woo

Nevertheless, while fans eagerly anticipate Kang Tae-Shik’s reappearance in upcoming episodes, his demise seems to rule it out. Yet, the impact of his short yet potent appearance in both the anime and graphic novel series lingers, fueling fan’s craving for more. Similarly, the creator of Solo Leveling, Chugong, expresses a similar longing and here’s what he posted on a Korean forum called DCinside about Kang Tae-Shik:

As someone who takes my time writing and tends to worry quite a bit, I found characters such as Kang Taeshik particularly appealing. Writing him was a pleasure, and his tale concluded in a very fulfilling manner. In fact, what was unfortunate was how brief his on-screen appearances were.

It would have been great if he had starred in more episodes. So, when the comic book artist made Kang Taeshik seem cooler than I expected, I felt a secret sense of satisfaction and hummed with delight.

Reflecting on it now, both the Hwang brothers were occasionally referenced in the side tales, but Kang Taeshik was never mentioned. If a follow-up story is ever produced, I’m keen to delve into his background. Yet, I can’t be certain if his role will receive the necessary attention then…

In any case, I’d like to see you again, Mr. Taeshik!”

-Chugong

It’s evident that Chugong deeply respects Kang Tae-Shik, despite the character not appearing often in the anime and comic series. This suggests that the creator still thinks about Kang Tae-Shik as a character with significant untapped potential, which is clear when you consider his capabilities. Unfortunately, since there haven’t been any flashbacks or special episodes exploring his past, this unused potential remains one of the show’s most notable missed opportunities for the time being.

Kang Tae-Shik’s story underscores for Jin-Woo the potential dangers of immense power. His B-rank status not only skewed his decisions but also tainted his ethics. As Jin-Woo continues to grow in strength, Tae-Shik’s tragic fate serves as a cautionary tale that could help him maintain his humanity. Jin-Woo has openly acknowledged that with each level-up, he senses a part of himself fading, making it plausible that he might eventually walk the same dark path.

“I’ll die because I lost. It’s only natural.”—Kang Tae-Shik

Will Kang Tae-Shik Appear in Solo Leveling Season 3?

What Are the Chances?

It appears that Kang Tae-Shik won’t be making an appearance in Solo Leveling‘s third season. Given the introduction of the Monarchs, it seems his role has become redundant and he may remain deceased to propel the storyline forward. The upcoming season is expected to emphasize the larger conflict that Jin-Woo encounters, potentially marginalizing many characters, whether alive or dead. Regrettably, Kang Tae-Shik’s promising potential within the series seems confined to its past events, as the narrative progresses with the escalating battles of Jin-Woo.

Kang Tae-Shik said something like this: “An overly talkative person might not be very helpful, but keeping too many secrets can also cause problems.

Looking on the optimistic side, if “Solo Leveling” season 3 decides to follow the Final Battle Arc, it might just mean a small possibility that character Kang Tae-Shik could reappear. In the original comic, he has a brief role in the timeline changed by the Reincarnation Cup. But remember, since the anime often omits scenes with no clear connection to the story progression, fans should not hold out for a significant return of this character.

Indeed, enthusiasts can always revisit the initial installments of the popular series “Solo Leveling” if they wish to encounter Kang Tae-Shik once more. Additionally, it’s recommended that they delve into “Solo Leveling: Ragnarok” to uncover his fate following a second opportunity in life.

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2025-05-11 16:05