'Solo Leveling' live-action taps Byeon Woo-seok as lead
A live-action adaptation of the popular web novel and anime Solo Leveling is currently in the works, with Byeon Woo-seok chosen to star as the lead.
Netflix confirmed the live-action adaptation and Byeon's casting in a release on Thursday, July 10. It also stated that fans can expect the South Korean actor to deliver an 'unforgettable portrayal' of the lead character, Sung Jin-woo.
'Sung Jin-woo will be brought to life by Byeon Woo-seok, one of Korea's most sought-after actors,' the streaming platform said. 'With his fitting nickname 'manjjitnam' or 'straight out of a comic,' he's set to deliver an unforgettable portrayal of Jin-woo's evolution and action-packed journey.'
Written by Chugong, Solo Leveling is a 2016 web novel that tells the story of Sung Jin-woo, a low-rank hunter (the novel's term for human warrior) who gains supernatural abilities after a near-death experience. He rose the ranks — even surpassing the skills of the greatest hunters — ultimately inheriting the Shadow Monarch position, only for him to discover that he is the Monarch who can save humanity.
The web novel was adapted into a webtoon, a video game, and an anime released in 2025, all of which became massively popular as well. The anime also bagged the Anime of the Year award in the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards last May.
Solo Leveling will be co-directed by Lee Hae-jun and Kim Byung-seo, known for their work in the films Like A Virgin and Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds, respectively.
'The upcoming live-action series adaptation promises to feature vivid characters, dynamic action sequences, and exhilarating quests, brought to life by a world-class global VFX team. The series will also introduce viewers to fantastical dungeons and uniquely powerful monsters, setting a new standard for live-action adaptations,' Netflix added.
Byeon started his entertainment career in 2010 as a model before embarking on an acting career six years later. He gained widespread recognition after starring as the lead in the 2024 K-drama Lovely Runner .
Prior to the hit drama, he also starred in Record Of Youth, Strong Girl Nam-soon , and Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency. He was also cast in the upcoming drama The 21st Century Grand Prince's Wife. – Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
9 hours ago
- The Star
Singer JJ Lin reveals heart condition: 'How long can I continue to sing?'
JJ Lin completed the Beijing leg of his concert tour on July 13. Photo: JJ Lin/Instagram Singaporean singer JJ Lin disclosed on July 13 that he was diagnosed with a heart problem in April 2024 and has been on daily medication. The 44-year-old dropped the bombshell on the final day of his nine-day concert series at Beijing's National Stadium. He kicked off his JJ20 Final Lap World Tour in Singapore with two nights at the National Stadium in December 2024. This is an extension of his JJ20 World Tour, celebrating two decades since his debut, which ran from 2022 to 2024. The Final Lap tour has travelled to cities in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. 'The news really shocked me. I never thought that this would happen to me,' Lin said on stage. 'At that moment, I felt for the first time that the sands of time were slipping away fast. How long can I continue to sing for? This question suddenly became very real.' Addressing his fans and fighting back tears, the Mandopop star continued: 'You came from all over the world for more than 100 JJ20 performances. I believe that my efforts, the team's hard work and what we produced did not let you down.' Lin's revelation became a trending item on Chinese social media platform Weibo soon after his concert, with many fans expressing concern about his health. Some wrote that they had noticed him wearing what looked like a heart-rate monitor bracelet on his wrist recently. Fans also posted on Weibo videos of Lin clutching his stomach while he was performing the song No Turning Back (2020) towards the end of his concert on July 13. He turned his back to the audience for a while, looking like he was in pain, before facing them again and completing his performance. Lin's agency replied to media queries on his health, saying: 'He has been seeing a doctor regularly and will arrange for more time to rest after the tour. He will take good care of his health after completing the work on hand.' Lin revealed on his vlog in March 2024 that he had caught the flu before his first concert in Chengdu, China, but proceeded with the show. His condition worsened the next day, but he continued performing on the second night after being on an intravenous drip. During a break midway, he received oxygen therapy from an ambulance backstage. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
The Star
9 hours ago
- The Star
Former TVB star Grace Wong shares rare family photos with husband and daughter
Hong Kong actress Grace Wong shares a daughter with her non-celebrity husband Daniel Chang, whom she married in 2017. Photo: Grace Wong/Instagram Hong Kong actress Grace Wong made headlines on May 29 when she announced on social media the birth of her first child, Audrey, via natural delivery. On Monday (July 14), Wong, 39, delighted fans by sharing on Instagram a series of rare family photos with her non-celebrity husband Daniel Chang and their newborn daughter. Among the tender moments captured included a photo of the couple gently kissing Audrey on the forehead and another showing the former TVB actress lovingly cradling her daughter. In her post, Wong described Audrey as their greatest blessing and inheritance, writing: 'You haven't done anything but Mommy and Daddy already love you so so much! 'This is how our Father in Heaven loves us, before we have done a single thing. Thank you Abba! May we continue to be 'human beings' and not only focus on being 'human doing'.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by G. Racie 王 君 馨 (@gwgurlie86) Netizens have since flooded the comments section with admiration for the family of three, with many especially charmed by Audrey's amusing facial expressions in the photos. 'This family is so full of love,' one fan commented. 'Audrey has so many different facial expressions. She will definitely be a star in the future,' another added. Wong, who was the first runner-up of the Miss Hong Kong beauty pageant in 2007, is best known for her performance as Fa Ma in the 2016 TVB drama A Fist Within Four Walls . She announced her engagement to Chang in 2016 after 11 years of dating and tied the knot that following year, with wedding celebrations held in both the United States and Hong Kong.
The Star
9 hours ago
- The Star
Paranormal investigator Dan Rivera dies on 'Annabelle' haunted doll tour
Dan Rivera was an official handler for the demonic doll made famous by 'The Conjuring' film series. Photo: Dan Rivera/Instagram Dan Rivera, a renowned paranormal investigator, died suddenly during his 'haunted' Annabelle doll tour in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania over the weekend. His exact cause of death is unclear, but TMZ reports that Adams County dispatch logs revealed there was a call for CPR in progress on a man matching Rivera's age. Firefighters and paramedics rushed to his hotel Sunday night. The 54-year-old, an official handler for the demonic doll made famous by The Conjuring film series, was in Pennsylvania for a stop on the cross-country 'Devils on the Run' tour. Rivera's death was confirmed on Facebook by the New England Society for Psychic Research, founded by paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren in Connecticut. 'It's with deep sadness that [we] share the sudden passing of our close friend and partner, Dan Rivera,' the organisation wrote. 'We are heartbroken and still processing this loss. Dan truly believed in sharing his experiences and educating people on the paranormal. His kindness and passion touched everyone who knew him. Thank you for your support and kind thoughts during this difficult time.' Rivera, who served as the lead investigator for the organisation, cared for the 'haunted' Raggedy Ann doll that has become an endless source of fascination. The creepy doll was once housed in the Warrens' now-closed Occult Museum in Monroe, Conneticut. –New York Daily News/Tribune News Service
