Teenage Mercenary Creators YC and Rakyeon Discuss NYCC Debut and Bullying Stance

The creators behind the massive hit webtoon Teenage Mercenary, YC and Rakyeon, made their first major convention appearance at New York Comic Con 2025. The series, which launched in 2020, was the central topic of discussion, having already cleared 1.86 billion views globally.

Rakyeon spoke about the intense energy of the convention floor, noting how moving it was to finally connect with readers who shared personal stories about the series' impact. YC used the platform to address the issue of bullying directly. Speaking specifically to potential perpetrators, YC delivered a firm message that intent does not matter if someone is suffering. "Even if you don't think you are causing harm, if the other person is struggling, you must never do it," YC stated.

As Teenage Mercenary approaches its fifth anniversary, both creators expressed deep appreciation for the journey. Rakyeon mentioned significant personal growth that mirrored the characters' development. When discussing design choices, Rakyeon favored Character 004, citing how effectively the design conveyed personality. Future story potential, Rakyeon suggested, lies in exploring the narratives hidden within the characters' existing scars and tattoos.

This interview lands as anticipation builds for the anime adaptation announced last year by LINE Digital Frontier. The story centers on Ijin Yu, a former child mercenary trying to reintegrate into South Korean high school life while protecting his family. Fans are still waiting on concrete updates regarding the production timeline for the animated version.