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Sung-jae to Sung Jin-woo: Byeon Woo-seok to lead Solo Leveling live-action series

Sung-jae to Sung Jin-woo: Byeon Woo-seok to lead Solo Leveling live-action series

India Today2 days ago
The 'Lovely Runner' breakout star Byeon Woo-seok has officially been cast as Sung Jin-woo in the live-action adaptation of 'Solo Leveling'. The announcement, confirmed by Netflix on July 10 marks a major leap for the actor, whose emotional performance in 'Lovely Runner' made him one of 2024's most talked-about Korean stars.Now, Woo-seok steps into one of the most iconic fantasy roles of the modern webtoon era, the 'weakest hunter' turned near-mythical shadow monarch, Sung Jin-woo. Originally created by writer Chugong and illustrated by the late artist Jang Sung-rak (also known as Dubu), 'Solo Leveling' has evolved from a web novel to a chart-topping webtoon and most recently, an anime sensation.
(Credit: X/netflix)
advertisementFans believe this live-action adaptation 'one of the biggest tests' for the growing trend of K-content adaptations. For Woo-seok, the challenge lies not just in mastering Sung Jin-woo's brooding transformation but also in matching the expectations of fans.
While the production timeline and full cast are yet to be revealed, one can feel assured that if done right, 'Solo Leveling' live-action series could mark a major milestone in the evolution of Korean fantasy storytelling onscreen. And with Byeon Woo-seok in the lead, the project may just level up the standards for future adaptations.In India, 'Solo Leveling' was among the most-watched anime premieres of 2024, with Crunchyroll reporting a sharp spike in South Asian viewership during its initial weeks. The series also trended on social media platforms like X formerly known as Twitter and Instagram, especially among Gen Z anime and K-drama fans. So, this announcement seems timelier than ever.For those unversed, Byeon Woo-seek originally began his career as a model and made early appearances in supporting roles in dramas like 'Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo' and 'Search: WWW'. His breakthrough came with the youth drama 'Record of Youth' opposite Park Bo-gum, where he stood out as the charming but complex second lead. But it was his lead role in '20th Century Girl' and, more recently, the heartfelt and fantastical 'Lovely Runner' that solidified his place as one of Korea's most sought-after new-generation actors.- Ends
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