Byeon Woo-seok to lead Solo Leveling live-action adaptation as Sung Jin-woo in hit Korean Webtoon's global crossover
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Adding to the anticipation, rising Korean star Byeon Woo-seok has been cast as the protagonist, Sung Jin-woo—a timid E-rank hunter who evolves into humanity's most powerful defender. Known for his roles in Lovely Runner and 20th Century Girl, Byeon's casting has been widely praised by fans who see him as a perfect match for the brooding and complex character.
Byeon Woo-seok to lead Netflix's Solo Leveling live-action anime
Netflix's casting of Byeon Woo-seok has been met with near-universal approval.
Known for his roles in 20th Century Girl, Lovely Runner, and Strong Girl Nam Soon, Byeon brings both dramatic depth and a striking resemblance to the character of Jin-woo.
Fans have long described the actor as a 'manhwa come to life,' and with his rising profile in Korean entertainment, he is poised to carry the emotional and physical weight of this highly anticipated adaptation. To ensure the adaptation meets global expectations, Netflix has enlisted acclaimed directors Lee Hae-jun (Like a Virgin, Castaway on the Moon) and Kim Byung-seo (Ashfall, Cold Eyes).
Together, they bring a blend of visual storytelling and emotional resonance that is ideal for the dark, action-packed world of Solo Leveling.
The series is being developed in collaboration with Kakao Entertainment and Sanai Pictures, who are overseeing scriptwriting and creative direction to keep the show faithful to the original source material.
Solo Leveling's rise: From web novel to global multimedia phenomenon
Solo Leveling began as a web novel by Chugong and later became a visually stunning webtoon illustrated by the late DUBU (REDICE Studio).
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It quickly gained traction among global readers for its gripping narrative, where a weak 'E-rank' hunter is suddenly granted the mysterious power to grow stronger without limits.
Over time, the story transcended its original format and expanded into a multi-platform franchise that includes:
A best-selling anime adaptation (streaming on Crunchyroll)
A popular mobile game
Multiple merchandise lines
A massive international fanbase, with over 14 billion views on platforms like KakaoPage and WEBTOON
Solo Leveling becomes a global hit with Webtoon anime and more
The story of Solo Leveling centers on Sung Jin-woo, once known as the weakest hunter in a world overrun by magical portals and monsters.
After barely surviving a deadly dungeon raid, Jin-woo discovers a unique ability: he can 'level up' like a video game character. This ability allows him to surpass his limits, evolve rapidly, and eventually assume the mantle of Shadow Monarch—humanity's final hope against powerful beings known as Monarchs.
This 'zero to hero' arc has resonated with millions, creating a protagonist who is both emotionally complex and physically formidable.Netflix has had a rocky history with anime-to-live-action adaptations.
Series like Cowboy Bebop, Death Note, and Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 received mixed-to-poor responses for lacking fidelity to the source material or failing to meet VFX standards.
However, Solo Leveling could change that. Unlike One Piece—which faced criticism for cutting corners on visual effects—Netflix has promised to bring in a top-tier global production team to ensure cinematic quality in the fantasy-action scenes.
Solo Leveling joins the ranks of Squid Game and All of Us Are Dead
With this adaptation, Solo Leveling now sits among Korea's biggest pop-culture exports, alongside global hits like Squid Game and All of Us Are Dead. It also becomes the first major Korean-origin anime franchise to receive a full-scale live-action series, marking an important shift in how Korean IPs are treated in the global entertainment landscape.
While Netflix has not yet confirmed an official release date, production is already underway, and insiders suggest that the series may be slated for late 2025 or early 2026. With the show's high production value, a compelling cast, and a creative team focused on authenticity, fans are hoping Solo Leveling will finally deliver a live-action adaptation that honors its anime roots.
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