LOOK: ‘Solo Leveling’ gets live-action adaptation starring Byeon Woo-seok

The wildly popular fantasy series 'Solo Leveling' is officially heading to Netflix as a live-action adaptation, with actor Byeon Woo-seok confirmed to star.

The live-action series will follow the journey of Sung Jin-woo, initially an E-rank Hunter, the lowest possible classification. After a near-fatal encounter within one of the mysterious Gates, he gains extraordinary powers, embarking on a path to level up and evolve from an overlooked figure into humanity's most formidable defender against monstrous threats.

Originating on KakaoPage in 2018, 'Solo Leveling' first gained immense popularity as both a web novel and later a webtoon. Across these formats, the series has garnered over 14.3 billion cumulative views, establishing itself as a major Korean fantasy franchise.

Building on this success, an anime adaptation premiered in January 2024, following an initial trailer release in July 2022. The anime quickly gained international acclaim, notably securing prestigious awards at the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, including the coveted Anime of the Year and Best Action categories, marking a significant achievement for a Korean-origin title.

The series' rise has also seen moments of sorrow, particularly the passing of webtoon artist Jang Su-rak, known as DUBU, in July 2022 at the age of 40 due to a chronic illness. His distinctive and atmospheric illustrations played a crucial role in shaping the visual identity of the 'Solo Leveling' world for many readers and viewers.

For the upcoming live-action adaptation, Byeon Woo-seok will portray the lead character, Sung Jin-woo. Byeon recently achieved significant recognition for his breakout role as Ryu Sun-jae in the romantic comedy 'Lovely Runner,' a series he has described as a major milestone in his career. His previous work includes roles in '20th Century Girl' and 'Record of Youth.'

Directing the series are Lee Hae-jun and Kim Byung-seo, who previously collaborated on the disaster film 'Ashfall.' They will reunite to helm the live-action project, aiming to translate the dynamic world of 'Solo Leveling' to the screen.

The adaptation is produced by Kakao Entertainment and SANAI PICTURES. Production plans include utilizing extensive large-scale visual effects to realistically portray the series' fantastical environments, unique monster designs, and intense action sequences.

While a specific release date has not yet been announced, the development of a live-action series for Netflix represents a significant step in the ongoing expansion of the 'Solo Leveling' narrative, bringing its acclaimed story to new audiences and formats.