Netflix has announced that Han So-hee has been cast in the lead role for its live-action adaptation of the popular webtoon Solo Leveling. Reports indicate she will portray Cha Hae-in, Korea’s only S-rank hunter, alongside Byun Woo-seok, who will play the main character, Sung Jinwoo. This casting news was covered by South Korean media outlet Sports Kyunghyang on August 29.

The narrative revolves around Sung Jinwoo, initially portrayed as humanity’s weakest hunter who dramatically gains the ability to level up after an intense near-death experience, ultimately transforming into the strongest protector of humankind. Byun Woo-seok, known for his role in tvN’s Lovely Runner, has already been confirmed as the protagonist.

Han So-hee, recognized for her performances in My Name and Gyeongseong Creature, is well-suited for the action-oriented role of Cha Hae-in, a beloved character within the webtoon. While no official announcement has yet been made regarding her role, the reports suggest that she is set to portray this significant character.

Production Details

The series will be co-directed by Lee Hae-jun and Kim Byung-seo, acclaimed for their work on films such as Ashfall, Like a Virgin, and Cold Eyes. Production is a collaborative effort between Kakao Entertainment and SANAI PICTURES.

About Solo Leveling

Solo Leveling originated as a web novel, titled Only I Level Up (나 혼자만 레벨업), authored by Chugong. First serialized in 2016 on KakaoPage, it gained massive popularity before being adapted into a webtoon by REDICE Studio in 2018. The webtoon features stunning art by Jang Sung-rak, known as DUBU.

The webtoon underwent script adaptations from Gi So-Ryeong (2018–2019) and h-goon (2019–2023). The passing of DUBU in July 2022 due to health complications marked a tragic moment for the community.

Anime Adaptation

The anime adaptation produced by A-1 Pictures premiered its first season from January to April 2024, comprising 12 episodes. Directed by Shunsuke Nakashige and featuring music composed by Hiroyuki Sawano, this adaptation has made a significant impact on fans.

Season 2, titled Arise From the Shadow, aired from January to March 2025, successfully becoming one of the most-rated anime series on Crunchyroll, surpassing titles such as One Piece and Demon Slayer.