Byeon Woo Seok’s career is soaring after Lovely Runner, from starring in his first royal romance drama with IU, to now being cast in the live-action Solo Leveling adaptation.
Netflix has officially confirmed the production of Solo Leveling, the live-action adaptation of the hugely popular webtoon and web novel also known as Only I Level Up. On July 10, Netflix announced that popular Kdrama actor Byeon Woo Seok will star as the main character, Sung Jin Woo.
Solo Leveling tells the underdog story of Sung Jin Woo, an E-class hunter widely mocked as the weakest among those who battle monsters from another dimension known as the Gate.
But after a near-death experience in a deadly dungeon, he unlocks a mysterious power that lets him keep leveling up with no limits. Sung becomes the strongest hunter who might be humanity’s last hope.
Since it first dropped on Kakao Page, the webtoon has been a phenomenon. It has racked up a mind-blowing 14.3 billion views worldwide and inspired an anime that swept nine awards at the 2025 Crunchyroll Awards, including Animation of the Year and Best Action. Now, fans can’t wait to see how Netflix brings Jin Woo’s epic battles and emotional journey to life in live-action.
Byeon Woo Seok’s casting has added even more hype to the upcoming series. The actor has become one of South Korea’s most in-demand stars, ranking first in the actor brand reputation index for four straight months this year.
Also, fans are looking forward to seeing how Byeon will portray Sung Jin Woo’s journey from a powerless hunter to the ultimate hero, with his strong acting and intense action scenes.
The project will be co-directed by Lee Hae-jun and Kim Byung Seo. Lee Hae Jun is known for his unique storytelling style in films like Castaway on the Moon and My Dictator.
On the other hand, Kim Byung Seo has impressed audiences with visually striking works like Ashfall and Cold Eyes. Together, they intend to deliver cinematic action sequences and faithful storytelling for fans old and new.
Production is in the hands of Kakao Entertainment, which has an excellent track record in adapting popular web novels and webtoons. In addition, Sanai Pictures, known for its mastery of the action noir genre, will also handle the production.
There’s no official release date yet for the Solo Leveling live adaptation, but with Byeon Woo Seok confirmed and a top-tier team behind the camera, it is shaping up to be one of Netflix’s biggest K-dramas yet. Whether you are a longtime fan or totally new to Sung Jin Woo’s world, this is one series you will want on your watch list.
Meanwhile, Byeon Woo Seok is currently filming the royal romance drama, Wife of a 21st Century Prince with IU, scheduled to release next year on MBC. The filming for Solo Leveling will likely begin in late 2025 or early next year.
