Netflix is working on yet another major live-action adaptation of a cherished webtoon, having revealed plans to adapt the global sensation Solo Leveling. Byeon Woo-seok has been confirmed for the lead role as Sung Jin-woo, with Han So-hee also joining the cast. As the project is still in the works, additional details about this intriguing adaptation are highly anticipated.
Solo Leveling is set to be a Netflix Original series from South Korea, blending fantasy and action, and is based on the popular web novel of the same title by author Chugong. The web novel previously saw a successful adaptation into a webtoon, which was serialized on KakaoPage starting in March 2018, with artwork by Jang Sung-rak. While the webtoon gained a significant following, its popularity soared to new heights with the release of an anime adaptation.
The anime’s impact has been extraordinary, leading the webtoon to achieve a staggering 14.3 billion total views globally. Remarkably, Sony has declared the anime as the “most viewed anime in the history of Crunchyroll.” Given that classics like One Piece, Naruto, Attack on Titan, and Demon Slayer are also featured on the platform, this recognition is truly impressive. Furthermore, the anime dominated the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, winning nine major accolades, including Anime of the Year, Best Action, and Best Character.
Solo Leveling has captivated audiences, but as with any beloved manga, webtoon, or anime transitioning to live-action, it often faces scrutiny. However, fans can find reassurance in Netflix’s strong history of adapting webtoons. The platform has already delivered notable live-action renditions of popular manga and anime, such as Alice in Borderland and One Piece.
Years ago, mysterious portals emerged around the globe, unleashing monsters capable of wreaking havoc on humanity. This phenomenon also led to the awakening of extraordinary abilities in some humans, who gained significant power to defend society and engage in hunts against these formidable creatures.
Fast forward to years later, and we meet Sung Jin-woo, an E-Level hunter known as one of Korea’s weakest hunters. He risks everything with every dungeon dive, no matter how feeble the monsters may seem. After narrowly escaping a harrowing double dungeon encounter, he is selected by ‘the System,’ granting him a unique power that enables him to enhance his abilities through completing missions and confronting increasingly perilous dungeons.
Byeon Woo-seok has been announced as the first cast member, portraying the protagonist, Sung Jin-woo. He has appeared in various Netflix titles, such as 20th Century Girl, Record of Youth, Lovely Runner, and Strong Girl Namsoon, alongside leading roles in K-dramas like Moonshine, Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency, and the film Soulmate.
Additionally, Naver reported that Han So-hee will be joining the cast of Solo Leveling. Although her specific role hasn’t been disclosed yet, she is anticipated to portray Cha Hae-in, the sole female S-Rank Hunter in Korea. Netflix viewers will recognize her from acclaimed projects like My Name and Gyeongseong Creature.
Several important characters are eagerly awaited by fans, including:
Sung Jin-ah – the younger sister of Jin-Woo.
Yoo Jin-ho – a D-Rank Hunter who becomes Jin-Woo’s friend.
Cha Hae-in – Korea’s only female S-Rank Hunter.
Go Gun-hee – Chairman of the Korean Hunters Association.
Baek Yoon-ho – S-Rank Hunter and Guild Master of the White Tiger Guild.
Choi Jong-in – S-Rank Hunter and Guild Master of the Hunters Guild.
Woo Jin-chul – A-Rank Hunter and Chief Inspector of the Korean Hunters’ Association’s Surveillance Team.
As of now, the series is still in active development, and we look forward to hearing announcements regarding filming schedules.
With the project just recently confirmed, a release date or timeframe for Solo Leveling has yet to be disclosed, though it is anticipated that viewers may see it on Netflix by 2027.
We eagerly await further updates from Netflix.
