At New York Comic Con 2025, we had the opportunity to interview Teenage Mercenary creators YC and Rakyeon. Their series has gained worldwide popularity over the past five years for its wholesome and relatable themes centered on the main character, Ijin Yu, along with his family and friends. The story’s focus on the pursuit of a peaceful life has strongly resonated with readers, particularly through its portrayal of real-world issues such as bullying, trauma, and identity struggles. To this day, fans continue to draw inspiration from the series, not only embracing its positive values but also applying its messages of love and courage in their own lives. In this article, we explore a range of topics, including the creators’ favorite scenes to write and illustrate, favorite characters, anti-bullying themes, and more.
Portions of this interview have been lightly edited for clarity. There will also be major spoilers and mature topics ahead
Q: How does it feel to be welcomed by thousands of fans at your first NYCC? Any memorable moments to share about the convention and New York City?
Rakyeon: The passion and energy at the NYCC venue are still so vivid to me. The moments when fans with sparkling eyes told me about the characters in the story, and when I heard how our work had impacted their lives, were truly impressive. It was a grateful and precious experience.
YC: I’ve had the chance to meet readers in several countries due to events, but I felt the energy of the readers at NYCC was particularly amazing. Above all, one of my goals was to meet readers at NYCC, and I was deeply moved to achieve that goal. Many things stand out in my memory, but if I have to choose one, it would be the young female reader who came with her father.
As I was greeting her and signing her book, her father quietly approached me and shared a story. He said his daughter had an illness that prevented her from reading, but she started reading because of Teenage Mercenary, and that became the catalyst for her to start reading many other things. This moment remains the most memorable for me. I was simply grateful that the reader was so amazing and that our work could be a turning point for her. I remember trying hard to hold back my tears.
Q: Bullying is a reoccurring theme in Teenage Mercenary and I wanted to ask: what advice would you have for someone experiencing these types of events?
Rakyeon: “It’s not your fault.” Ijin often says that. As we live, we get hurt in unwanted relationships. Repeated bullying leads to negative thinking, causing us to isolate ourselves. They cannot define or judge you. I hope you take care of yourselves, communicate with people who genuinely cherish you, and build your own self-worth.
YC: I dare not say anything to those who are struggling due to being bullied. They must be going through such a difficult time… I feel I have no right to speak carelessly when I cannot even begin to fathom their suffering. Instead, to the perpetrators, I want to say that bullying someone is a very wrong thing to do. Above all, even if you don’t think you are causing harm, if the other person is struggling, you must never do it.
Q: Teenage Mercenary has been running for about 5 years since its initial release (November 7, 2020) with immense support from fans all over the world! How are you feeling about these past five years and is there something that you would like to share about this journey?
Rakyeon: It’s truly amazing that it has already been five years. I have worked tirelessly with only the series in mind, and I think I will continue to do so. Just as the characters in the story formed relationships and grew through them, I too have been able to learn and grow alongside them. I am truly grateful for having met this work.
YC: I chose the new name YC, instead of the name I had used until then, Son Je-ho. This was a new challenge to see how far I could go by giving up a career I had built up for over 10 years. Therefore, I was quite fearful from the preparation phase to the launch of the series, but thanks to everyone who has loved Teenage Mercenary for so long, I am now spending incredibly happy times. I sincerely thank all the readers who love Teenage Mercenary.
Q: Who is your favorite character and why?
Rakyeon: It must be the grandfather. He is a landmark that guides Ijin to find his place and a warm, sheltering home that always embraces him. He is a character who provides great comfort even to me, as I create the series.
YC: I love all the characters, but if I have to choose one, I like Yu Ijin’s grandfather the most. The core theme of Teenage Mercenary is family. The grandfather is the character who embodies this theme. Furthermore, the time spent with him is a moment where Ijin or the other mercenaries can simply be human beings, not combat agents.
Q: What career path do you envision Ijin (001) taking and why?
Luke: Sometimes while reading, I think of Ijin as a trauma counselor who would help those facing a similar situation as him and the other numbers fighting to survive. This might also add into his character since he wants a peaceful life and he would understand others struggling with that aspect.
Rakyeon: I deeply empathize with that opinion. In fact, there are scenes in the series where characters open to Ijin as if they are seeking counseling. I believe Ijin is currently in the process of reclaiming the things he had to abandon for survival. I am also curious about what he truly desires, and I sincerely hope he finds it someday and lives a peaceful life.
YC: Ijin’s future career is a secret. However, the profession you suggested is one I hadn’t even considered for Ijin. That’s because I think Ijin is not a very good speaker or communicator… (Laughs)
Q: Will Ijin (001) ever level up in Gaming?
Luke: Maybe not for Ijin, but I think it would be fun if they had a future event where they have a gaming team winning some tournaments!
Rakyeon: That’s an interesting question! Ijin is constantly trying in ‘combat mode,’ as if every day is the final match. However, there are areas that cannot be conquered by effort alone. For me, that is cooking. Even though I follow the recipe exactly, the result often turns out like a witch’s brew. Isn’t that clumsy side one of Ijin’s charms?
YC: That would also be a really fun future. And, of course, Ijin’s gaming skills are slowly but surely improving. However, Ijin prefers spending time with his friends more than improving his skill, so his progress is a little slow.
Q: Are there any goals that you have or haven’t accomplished in Teenage Mercenary?
Rakyeon: Every creator on WEBTOON dreams of an animation adaptation. I was no exception, and I’m grateful that, thanks to the immense love from so many people, that dream has become a reality. Now that it’s being published in print beyond digital, I look forward to meeting even more North American readers!
YC: One of my goals was to have a signing event at NYCC, and I achieved that. The goal of being loved by more readers has not yet been achieved. Ha Ha.
Q: Are there any crucial elements that you’d want the audience to be prepared for, the anime adaptation of Teenage Mercenary?
Rakyeon: Do you have your popcorn ready? With Teenage Mercenary, I wanted to convey more than just action. I hope you experience not only the live-action sequences in the fast-paced visuals but also the emotional turbulence, the changes in relationships, and the moments of growth that the characters go through. If you open your heart and watch, you will feel a deeper resonance.
YC: I don’t have much information either, so I have nothing to tell you as of now.
Q: [For Rakyeon] In Teenage Mercenary, there are a variety of weapons and combat styles such as Ijin’s (001) and 004’s specialty with a knife. What type of fighting scenes do you love illustrating the most and why?
Rakyeon: I especially love the one-on-one combat scenes. I see them as a form of communication between characters who are not good at dialogue—a way they talk with their bodies. There are moments when their true feelings are revealed in the process of sensing each other’s breath, observing, and reacting at close range. These scenes also maximize the chemistry between the characters. While they are visually challenging to portray, they are equally enjoyable to create.
Q: [For Rakyeon] Were there any character designs that you love drawing the most? Perhaps any past drafts that will be reworked into a future story?
Rakyeon: Number 004. I like how the character’s preferences and personality are clearly expressed externally. In future stories, I hope to be able to show the behind-the-scenes stories embedded in the scars or tattoos left on the characters’ bodies.
Q: [For YC] Bullying tends to be a central theme for multiple arcs in Teenage Mercenary. How do you carefully convey these types of stories and inspire anti-bullying?
YC: It might seem strange, but I try to ensure that the bullying characters do not become too relatable to the readers. Since the antagonists are antagonists, I worry about whether they might have a negative influence on the readers. Of course, since they are different from attractive characters, finding the right balance is difficult. So, while there is no single right answer, I think about how to portray the bullying characters differently every time.
Q: [For YC] Some WEBTOON creators have shared how different their initial designs and goals are compared to their current series. Were there any differences or paths that you wanted to explore for Teenage Mercenary?
YC: Before starting Teenage Mercenary, I had planned another story. It was quite detailed, but I decided to switch and release Teenage Mercenary first due to the timing. And Teenage Mercenary hasn’t changed much from the initial concept. However, I was disappointed that I couldn’t delve into the detailed stories between the characters due to current trends and the characteristics of the WEBTOON genre. Originally, if I had covered the character-to-character stories in more detail, the current chapter’s content would have come out at least 100 episodes later. (Laughs)
Conclusion
What were some of your favorite moments from Teenage Mercenary? Are you excited for its anime adaptation? Catch up on all of its chapters on WEBTOON, which releases every Wednesday. Thank you again to WEBTOON and BECK Media & Marketing for the opportunity to interview YC and Rakyeon. I cannot wait to read more chapters and further express my love for the series!
Images: Teenage Mercenary
© YC and Rakyeon
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