Everything We Know (So Far) About Byeon Woo Seok Taking On Netflix's 'Solo Leveling'

Big time, right? Your resident Cosmo entertainment writer (that's me!) had so many feels as soon as the announcement was made on July 10, 2025.

When Netflix dropped the news of Woo Seok leading the series, fans of both the actor and the manhwa (can also be called webtoon) freaked out. Reports stated that it will be directed by Lee Hae Jun and Kim Byung Seo, and co-produced by Kakao Entertainment and Sanai Pictures, though nothing has been set in stone just yet.

Ever since the official manhwa created by Chugong ended in March 2021, rumors of a live-action adaptation have been circulating online. The manhwa first gained popularity for its interesting storyline and impeccable art.

In 2024, it has already been adapted into a two-season anime by the Japanese entertainment company Aniplex. You can catch it on streaming platforms like Crunchyroll and Netflix. I may not have been talking about it enough, but Solo Leveling stands as one of my (personally) favorite anime of all time. And well, the stats say the same since it won "Anime of the Year" in the recently held 2025 Crunchyroll Awards in Japan.

Obviously, there's so much love and buzz for Solo Leveling, which led to lots of actors being fan-cast for the role of the lead character, Sung Jinwoo. Surprisingly, Byeon Woo Seok wasn't one of the frontrunners.

That's why his casting news for the live-action came as a surprise. Nevertheless, three fandoms—from manhwa, anime, and K-drama sides—have come together to support Woo Seok as Sung Jinwoo.

Some are still skeptical about Woo Seok portraying the role, but fans are relatively thrilled and curious to see him as Sung Jinwoo already. Once it's released, it might just be Woo Seok's first time to top-bill a fantasy-action series.

After the announcement, fans posted their passionate reactions online, with some making video edits and photo comparisons showing how Woo Seok already fits the role. A day after the announcement, the actor went on WeVerse and thanked his fans for congratulating him on the new project. Further affirming that he'll focus first on filming his upcoming K-drama with MBC, 21st Century Grand Prince's Wife, alongside IU.

At its core, Solo Leveling is about rising above your flaws and watching our beloved hero step in just when the world needs saving. Solo Leveling is set in a world where humans can possess powers that make them eligible to become a "hunter." When they become a hunter, they can travel through dimensions and compete against monsters.

Now, here comes the protagonist, Sung Jinwoo, who was once an E-rank hunter, a.k.a. the weakest level of hunter. At the beginning, he was even called the weakest hunter of all mankind. But after a series of unfortunate and action-packed events, Jinwoo acquires a so-called "second awakening/reawakening," with the help of a system only he can access. Through that system, he can jump into various dimensions to defeat different kinds of monsters and improve his hunter rank... alone.

In that aspect, I think it's interesting to see who's going to act as Sung Jinwoo's sister (yes, he has a sister in the story). Another one would be for the role of S-rank hunter Cha Haein, who will be Jinwoo's love interest. Meanwhile, from a Solo Leveling fan's POV, I'd be interested to know who will act as the S-rank hunters alongside Woo Seok.

It's going to be one exciting series again from Netflix!