Netflix is producing a live-action TV adaptation of the global phenomenon “Solo Leveling,” with rising star Byeon Woo-seok attached to lead the series as protagonist Sung Jinwoo.
The project is based on the record-breaking webtoon that has amassed 14.3 billion cumulative views worldwide since its KakaoPage debut, where “Solo Leveling” has maintained its position as the platform’s No. 1 web novel and webtoon.
The property was originally a web novel written by Chugong in 2016, before it was developed as a web series written by h-goon with art by Dubu, CEO of Redice Studio, and D&C Webtoon, and released by KakaoPage in 2018.
The property’s recent anime adaptation made history as the first Korean animation to dominate the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, sweeping nine major categories including Anime of the Year, Best Action, and Best Character.
The source material follows Sung Jinwoo, an E-rank Hunter — the lowest classification in a world where supernatural Gates have opened, releasing monstrous threats.
After surviving a near-death experience, Jinwoo gains extraordinary leveling abilities, transforming him from the weakest Hunter into humanity’s unexpected champion against escalating dangers.
Byeon Woo-seok, who has gained significant attention for his roles in “20th Century Girl” and “Lovely Runner,” will portray the series’ main character.
The project will be co-directed by Lee Hae-jun and Kim Byung-seo, whose previous collaborations include “Ashfall,” “Like a Virgin,” and “Castaway on the Moon.”
Netflix is partnering with Kakao Entertainment and Sanai Pictures on the production.
Separately, on the animation side, global music superstar J Balvin is making his first foray into anime voice acting, joining the cast of Crunchyroll and Aniplex’s “Solo Leveling Season 2 — Arise From the Shadow” in a key role.
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