Byeon Woo Seok Set to Star in Netflix’s Live-Action Adaptation of ‘Solo Leveling’

Solo Leveling, Netflix’s live-action series adaptation of the Korean web novel, will star South Korean model-actor Byeon Woo Seok as its main character Sung Jin Woo.

Solo Leveling follows Sung Jin Woo, a low-ranking monster hunter who gains extraordinary abilities after a near-death experience. As he rises through the ranks, he becomes humanity’s unexpected hope, defending against monstrous threats emerging from beyond the mysterious Gates.

Byeon previously played Ryu Sun Jae in the 2024 TV romantic comedy Lovely Runner and Poong Woon Ho in Netflix’s 2022 romantic drama film 20th Century Girl.

Joining him in the upcoming production are co-directors Lee Hae Jun (2009’s Castaway on the Moon, 2014’s My Dictator) and Kim Byung Seo (2013’s Cold Eyes). Lee and Kim previously worked together in the 2019 action film Ashfall, which also featured Byeon as a bodyguard.

The series is set to be produced by Korean studio SANAI Pictures and Kakao Entertainment. No release date has been announced as of writing.

The web novel was written by South Korean Manhwa author Chugong. It was first released in November 2016 on KakaoPage, was adapted into a webtoon in March 2018, and an anime series which aired from January to March 2025.

Pie Gonzaga

Culture Writer

Pie Gonzaga is the Culture Writer of Rolling Stone Philippines, primarily covering film, TV, food, and internet culture.

Gonzaga has worked on a range of stories for print and digital formats, from an interview with Cardinal Ambo David to features on queer party organizers such as CHURCH and Club Euphoria. Her work as the magazine’s former State of Affairs Writer includes news updates on pressing issues like the flood control scandal and the missing sabungeros, and covering rallies. Under Culture, she’s written episode recaps for hit shows, film reviews, and features on restaurants and the people who run them.

Before working with Rolling Stone Philippines, she contributed lifestyle and entertainment stories for a digital news platform.

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