Lyrical Muse

Netflix is moving ahead with its Korean live-action adaptation of Solo Leveling, and the drama has officially found its leads. Han So Hee will step into the shoes of Cha Hae In, the only female S-Rank hunter in South Korea, while Byeon Woo Seok will take on the role of protagonist Sung Jin Woo. The casting news broke on August 29 through Sports Kyunghyang, confirming two of the industry’s fastest-rising stars for one of Netflix’s most ambitious Korean projects yet.

Byeon, fresh off his breakout performance in Lovely Runner, has quickly become one of Korea’s most sought-after actors. Han, who first rose to global prominence with The World of the Married and later solidified her reputation with Nevertheless, My Name, and Gyeongseong Creature, adds another ambitious, career-defining role to her resume.Known for her strong screen presence and prior action training, Han is expected to deliver a powerful portrayal of Cha Hae In, a skilled swordswoman whose role is central to the story’s progression.

Solo Leveling first debuted as a web novel on KakaoPage before expanding into a webtoon, game, and anime. It has since amassed over whopping 14.3 billion views worldwide, cementing itself as one of Korea’s most successful IPs.

The story follows Sung Jin Woo, initially the weakest E-rank hunter in a world threatened by monsters beyond mysterious Gates. After a near-death encounter, he gains extraordinary powers and rises to become humanity’s strongest defender.

The anime adaptation, released in early 2024, further fueled its global success, sweeping nine categories at the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, including Anime of the Year and Best Action.

Now, Netflix is betting big on bringing the franchise to live-action. Co-directed by Lee Hae Jun and Kim Byung Seo, best known for their work on the disaster epic Ashfall, the series promises high-caliber production. Kakao Entertainment and SANAI Pictures are attached as producers, while a global VFX team is tasked with reimagining the novel’s sprawling dungeons, dynamic battles, and iconic monster designs.

Byeon Woo Seok, often described with the nickname “만찢남” (a man who looks straight out of a comic), will bring Sung Jin Woo’s transformation—from frail hunter to unstoppable warrior—to screen. For Han So Hee, her casting as Cha Hae In marks another bold step in a career defined by risk-taking roles across genres. While her agency has yet to issue an official statement, industry watchers are already calling this pairing one of the year’s most anticipated.

As Netflix continues to expand its portfolio of Korean originals, Solo Leveling is shaping up to be one of its most ambitious projects yet. With a powerhouse cast, proven creative team, and the weight of one of the most successful webtoons behind it, expectations are running high that this live-action series could redefine the standard for anime and webtoon adaptations.

Are you excited to see Han So Hee and Byeon Woo Seok together on screen? Join the conversation with us on X and Instagram, and don’t forget to visit Lyrical Muse for more breaking stories!