Netflix has officially confirmed a Korean live-action adaptation of Solo Leveling, the massively popular web novel-turned-webtoon, anime, and game. This new take on the story will star Byeon Woo-seok as the lead character, Sung Jin-woo. Known for his rising fame in 20th Century Girl and Lovely Runner, Byeon brings star power—and the visual charm fans hoped for—to the role of one of Korea’s most iconic webtoon heroes.
Global Phenomenon Meets Big-Screen Production
Since its release on KakaoPage, Solo Leveling has been unstoppable, racking up over 14.3 billion cumulative views worldwide. The anime adaptation recently dominated the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, sweeping nine major categories including Anime of the Year and Best Action. Now, Netflix aims to continue that momentum with a high-budget live-action series that dives deep into the story’s complex world of gates, monsters, and dungeons.
The plot follows Sung Jin-woo, an E-rank Hunter seen as the weakest of the weak—until a mysterious encounter unlocks his hidden potential. As he levels up beyond human limits, he becomes a one-man army, battling monstrous creatures and unraveling a deeper mystery tied to the fate of the world.
Byeon Woo-seok Cast as Sung Jin-woo
Fans of Byeon Woo-seok will be thrilled to see him take on the intense and emotional arc of Jin-woo’s character. From timid underdog to humanity’s last hope, it’s a transformation that calls for both physical grit and nuanced performance—and Byeon seems ready to rise to the challenge. His nickname in Korea, “만찢남” (short for “manhwa-ripped guy”), couldn’t be more fitting.
Industry Veterans and Global VFX Team Behind the Scenes
The series will be co-directed by Lee Hae-jun and Kim Byung-seo, known for their work on critically acclaimed films like Ashfall, My Dictator, and Cold Eyes. Production will be handled by Kakao Entertainment and SANAI Pictures, with a world-class VFX team already on board to bring the epic monsters and dungeon battles to life.
No official release date has been confirmed yet, but filming is expected to begin soon. Given the franchise’s enormous fanbase, the Solo Leveling live-action adaptation is set to become one of Netflix’s most anticipated Korean original series.
