Sure was! Solo Leveling began as a novel and gained popularity, which led to its adaptation into various mediums. The novel laid the foundation for the story and characters that fans came to love.
It's hard to say which one is more popular as it depends on different factors. In some regions, the manga might be more popular because it appeals to those who like visual stories. The action - packed panels and the cool character designs can draw in a large audience. For example, in Japan, the manga format is very popular in general, so the solo leveling manga has a good chance of being well - received there.