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Byeon Woo-seok to star in 'Solo Leveling' live-action series

Entertainment | Movies and TV

Byeon Woo-seok to star in 'Solo Leveling' live-action series

By Jonathan Hicap

Byeon Woo-seok (right) will play the role of Sung Jin-woo (left) in the live-action adaptation of "Solo Leveling" (Photos: Solo Leveling Animation Partners, Crunchyroll, Instagram)

Byeon Woo-seok (right) will play the role of Sung Jin-woo (left) in the live-action adaptation of "Solo Leveling" (Photos: Solo Leveling Animation Partners, Crunchyroll, Instagram)

“Lovely Runner” actor Byeon Woo-seok will star in the Korean live-action adaptation of the web novel and webtoon “Solo Leveling.”

Netflix made the announcement on July 10, confirming the production for “Solo Leveling.”

It said Byeon Woo-seok will play the lead role of Sung Jin-woo, an E-rank Hunter who gains extraordinary abilities after a near-death experience.

As Sung Jin-woo levels up, he becomes humanity’s unexpected hope, defending against monstrous threats emerging from beyond the mysterious Gates.

"Solo Leveling" won Anime of the Year at the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards (Solo Leveling Animation Partners, Crunchyroll)

Byeon Woo-seok (Instagram)

Byeon Woo-seok (Instagram)

“Solo Leveling” started as a web novel and evolved into a webtoon, anime series, and video game.

It became the No. 1 web novel and webtoon, garnering a staggering 14.3 billion cumulative views worldwide.

The anime adaptation made history as the first Korean animation to sweep nine major categories at the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, including Anime of the Year, Best Action and Best Character.

Netflix said the live-action series adaptation will feature vivid characters, dynamic action sequences, and exhilarating quests, and introduce viewers to fantastical dungeons and uniquely powerful monsters. .

“Solo Leveling” will be co-directed by Lee Hae-jun and Kim Byung-seo, known for their work in films like “Ashfall,” “Like a Virgin,” and “Castaway on the Moon.” Kakao Entertainment and Sanai Pictures will produce the series.

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