Solo Leveling’s Next Series Must Fix One Major Issue or It’s Game Over

Since its debut, Solo Leveling has cemented itself as a modern anime phenomenon, earning widespread attention for its relentless tension, striking visuals, and thrilling power-fantasy journey. Filled with action, tension, and imaginative worldbuilding based on the original web novel and manhwa, its undeniable popularity has risen rapidly.

Beyond its action-packed narrative, the series has sparked conversations about character dynamics, narrative choices, and how it juggles its cast. Despite Solo Leveling’s massive popularity, these elements have been at the center of criticism, with many pointing out how the series could have done better. However, the franchise now has the perfect opportunity to set its biggest misstep right.

Solo Leveling Quickly Became a Popular Modern Anime

Solo Leveling centers around Sung Jinwoo, a once-weak hunter in a world plagued by monsters and dungeons. After a near-fatal dungeon incident, Jinwoo discovers that he has the power to level up like a video game character, a skill that is unheard of in his world, as power is always fixed.

His rapid rise to power captured the attention of millions of fans around the world, skyrocketing the series to international fame. Solo Leveling achieved massive success, including sweeping the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards with nine wins, including Anime of the Year and Best Action. Beyond awards, the anime broke streaming records, becoming the most-rated and most-viewed show on Crunchyroll.

Solo Leveling drew unprecedented global viewership for a manhwa adaptation, and many believe it marks a moment signaling the rise of more manhwa adaptations in the near future. With its achievements and viewership, the series quickly cemented itself as a cultural phenomenon, setting a new standard for adaptations and sparking greater interest in Korean storytelling.

Netflix Is Officially Adapting a Live-Action Solo Leveling

Byeon woo seok with sung jinwoo as seen in the anime

Following its massive success, Netflix has announced a live-action Solo Leveling K-drama, bringing the hit story into a new medium and expanding the story’s reach. Starring as Jinwoo in the leading role is Byeon Woo-seok, one of South Korea’s most in-demand actors, known for his performances in Lovely Runner and 20th Century Girl.

Netflix has announced that Han So-hee will star as Cha Hae-in, and Kang You-seok will star as Yoo Jinho, rounding out the key characters. Currently, no other castings have been announced; however, the three central roles suggest strong casting choices that aim to capture the story’s dynamic energy.

The live-action will be co-directed by Lee Hae-jun and Kim Byung-seo, acclaimed for films like Ashfall and Castaway on the Moon. Production is scheduled to begin in late April 2026, with a planned seven-episode season that is reportedly backed by a “world-class global VFX team” to bring the world to life with stunning visual quality.

Solo Leveling’s Live Action Reportedly Features a Major Twist

Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 4 preview - Cha hae-in — Cha hae-in from Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 4 preview

Following the announcement of the live-action adaptation, reports suggest that Netflix is leaning into one of K-drama’s most defining strengths by featuring a heavier romantic subplot. The series is expected to significantly deepen the emotional connection between Sung Jinwoo and Cha Hae-in, creating a dynamic between the two that is stronger than in the source material.

For the original web novel and manhwa, many fans cite Jinwoo and Hae-in’s romance as feeling rushed and underdeveloped, a shortcoming the live-action aims to expand upon by balancing the story’s action with a deeper exploration of their evolving relationship. The Netflix adaptation could enhance viewers’ investment and create a more layered experience.

If executed thoughtfully, a stronger romantic subplot could elevate the series beyond its source material and expand Solo Leveling’s reach.

Given that K-dramas excel at emotional storytelling, this shift could mark a positive direction for Solo Leveling. It could not only make Jinwoo and Hae-in’s relationship more compelling and immersive, but also amplify tension, drama, and overall impact without disrupting the core elements centered around the power-fantasy narrative.

If executed thoughtfully, a stronger romantic subplot could elevate the series beyond its source material and expand Solo Leveling’s reach. By featuring a heavier romantic subplot, the series could offer fresh depth to both characters if handled with intention. However, the heightened focus on romance could also pose a significant risk to the series if it isn’t carefully developed.

Solo Leveling’s Live Action Could Fall Flat if It Doesn’t Fix One Important Flaw

solo leveling season 2 episode 5 sung jinwoo and cha hae in

The live-action Solo Leveling’s emphasis on romance is a notable shift from the original story and anime, where Sung Jinwoo’s rise dominates the vast majority of the narrative. While expanding the emotional connection between Jinwoo and Hae-in could enrich the series, it could also alienate current viewers.

However, given Netflix’s proven success with romance-driven K-dramas, the move could also appeal to a broader audience, especially with popular leads Byeon Woo-seok and Han So-hee. That said, if the live-action adaptation is set to introduce stronger romance, then greater exploration of Cha Hae-in’s role, which was often limited in the source material, would be necessary.

Solo Leveling has a history of sidelining secondary characters from the web novel to the anime adaptation. If the live-action wants to inject a heavier romantic subplot, in order for it to be successful, it will have to expand on Cha Hae-in’s role and offer a stronger romantic foundation between the two or risk creating another underdeveloped, unsatisfying romance.