Beru exposed: Solo Leveling creator breaks the myth

Beru is one of the most popular characters in Solo Leveling, known for his power, loyalty, and dramatic entrance during the Jeju Island Arc. Fans often call him “The Ant King” because of his royal presence and incredible strength. But according to Solo Leveling’s creator, Chugong, Beru’s title might be more show than truth. In a recent interview, Chugong shared some surprising facts that totally change how fans see the character.
In the interview, Chugong explained that Beru was never meant to be a true king. Instead, he was created as a powerful warrior to protect the queen ant—not to rule other ants or build a kingdom. Chugong even said, “Beru is more of an ant soldier than an ant king.” So why the royal title? Simply because it sounded cool. That’s right “Ant King” was chosen for style, not story.
This might be shocking for fans who see Beru as a leader figure. He fights like a boss, protects like a general, and even carries himself with pride. But Chugong’s comments show that Beru’s role was always about being the queen’s strongest bodyguard, not a ruler.
Even if he’s not a real king, Beru is still one of the most dangerous characters in the series. When he first appears in the Jeju Island Arc, he easily defeats top S-Rank Hunters from both Japan and Korea. The only one who can stop him is Sung Jinwoo himself, in what many fans call the best fight in the entire series.
After being defeated, Beru becomes one of Jinwoo’s shadow soldiers and one of his strongest allies. His loyalty, strength, and confidence have made him a fan favorite, whether or not he has a royal title.
With Solo Leveling Season 2 ending on a high note, fans are now looking ahead to Season 3, where Beru is expected to play an even bigger role. As one of Jinwoo’s main shadow soldiers, he’s sure to get more screen time and major battles. Whether or not he’s called a king, Beru’s importance in the story keeps growing.
So while Chugong may have called him a "cool-sounding soldier," fans will always see Beru as something more. King or not Beru rules.