Byeon Woo-seok. Photograph: Varo Leisure, courtesy of Han Cinema
Netflix introduced earlier immediately that standard Korean actor Byeon Woo-seok is taking heart stage in Solo Leveling, the live-action adaptation of the large international franchise that’s been a hit in internet novels, webtoons, anime, and video games.
From its humble beginnings as a South Korean internet novel by Chugong in 2016, Solo Leveling grew in reputation with subsequent webtoon variations, an anime sequence, a role-playing online game, Solo Leveling: Come up, and even a spin-off webtoon titled Solo Leveling: Ragnarok.
Byeon Woo-seok stars as Sung Jin-woo within the upcoming drama, a hunter struggling to outlive in a world of lethal monsters. All the pieces adjustments when he narrowly escapes a deadly encounter and is chosen by a mysterious program referred to as the “System.” Jin-woo out of the blue good points the ability to degree up his power, rising by means of the ranks, and discovers he’s the chosen one—to be the “Shadow Monarch”—of a military of the lifeless. Now, Jin-woo should survive the hazards of historic wars between gods and monsters and defend humanity from destruction.
Solo Leveling is the following huge factor for Byeon Woo-seok, following his starring position within the webtoon-based adaptation romance drama Lovely Runner (2024) reverse Kim Hye-yoon. The present grew to become a world phenomenon, making Byeon an in a single day sensation worldwide. The sequence was additionally on our list of the 10 best K-dramas of 2024.
Along with his dashing beauty screaming “manhwa hero,” Byeon guarantees a memorable efficiency as Jin-woo, in accordance with Netflix. The online novel and webtoon sequence have been a runaway hit since their debut on KakaoPage, gaining billions of views. The anime adaptation in 2024 swept 9 main classes, together with Anime of the Yr on the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards. Now, the live-action sequence intends to take the franchise to new heights with beautiful visible results, intense motion sequences, and extra. “The sequence will even introduce viewers to fantastical dungeons and uniquely highly effective monsters, setting a brand new commonplace for live-action variations,” says Netflix.
Solo Leveling can be directed by Lee Hae-jun and Kim Byung-seo and produced by Kakao Leisure and Sanai Footage. Whereas manufacturing and launch particulars for the drama are but to be revealed, Byeon Woo-seok’s upcoming initiatives are stacking up, together with the tv sequence The twenty first Century Grand Prince’s Spouse, co-starring IU.