Byeon Woo-seok. Photo: Varo Entertainment, courtesy of Han Cinema
Netflix announced earlier today that popular Korean actor Byeon Woo-seok is taking center stage in Solo Leveling, the live-action adaptation of the massive global franchise that’s been a success in web novels, webtoons, anime, and games.
From its humble beginnings as a South Korean web novel by Chugong in 2016, Solo Leveling grew in popularity with subsequent webtoon versions, an anime series, a role-playing video game, Solo Leveling: Arise, and even a spin-off webtoon titled Solo Leveling: Ragnarok.
Byeon Woo-seok stars as Sung Jin-woo in the upcoming drama, a hunter struggling to survive in a world of deadly monsters. Everything changes when he narrowly escapes a fatal encounter and is chosen by a mysterious program called the “System.” Jin-woo suddenly gains the power to level up his strength, rising through the ranks, and discovers he’s the chosen one—to be the “Shadow Monarch”—of an army of the dead. Now, Jin-woo must survive the dangers of ancient wars between gods and monsters and protect humanity from destruction.
Solo Leveling is the next big thing for Byeon Woo-seok, following his starring role in the webtoon-based adaptation romance drama Lovely Runner (2024) opposite Kim Hye-yoon. The show became a global phenomenon, making Byeon an overnight sensation worldwide. The series was also on our list of the 10 best K-dramas of 2024.
With his dashing good looks screaming “manhwa hero,” Byeon promises a memorable performance as Jin-woo, according to Netflix. The web novel and webtoon series have been a runaway hit since their debut on KakaoPage, gaining billions of views. The anime adaptation in 2024 swept nine major categories, including Anime of the Year at the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards. Now, the live-action series intends to take the franchise to new heights with stunning visual effects, intense action sequences, and more. “The series will also introduce viewers to fantastical dungeons and uniquely powerful monsters, setting a new standard for live-action adaptations,” says Netflix.
Solo Leveling will be directed by Lee Hae-jun and Kim Byung-seo and produced by Kakao Entertainment and Sanai Pictures. While production and release details for the drama are yet to be revealed, Byeon Woo-seok’s upcoming projects are stacking up, including the television series The 21st Century Grand Prince’s Wife, co-starring IU.
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