Solo Leveling began as a South Korean web novel by Chugong, later adapted into a hugely popular manhwa and an anime series that premiered in January 2024, following hunter Sung Jinwoo as he gains the power to level up alone. Clips from its dramatic system moments spread quickly through TikTok, YouTube Shorts and anime edits, where creators use them to signal a sudden power boost. Like To be Continued and Mangekyo Sharingan, it has become shorthand for a turning point, which keeps it in regular use across gaming, fitness and anime fan videos.