Latest news with #SungJin-woo
The Star
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
'Solo Leveling' live-action taps Byeon Woo-seok as lead
Netflix says that fans can expect Byeon Woo-seok (left) to deliver an 'unforgettable portrayal' of the lead character, Sung Jin-woo (right). Photos: Byeon Woo-seok/Instagram, Handout A live-action adaptation of the popular web novel and anime Solo Leveling is currently in the works, with Byeon Woo-seok chosen to star as the lead. Netflix confirmed the live-action adaptation and Byeon's casting in a release on Thursday, July 10. It also stated that fans can expect the South Korean actor to deliver an 'unforgettable portrayal' of the lead character, Sung Jin-woo. 'Sung Jin-woo will be brought to life by Byeon Woo-seok, one of Korea's most sought-after actors,' the streaming platform said. 'With his fitting nickname 'manjjitnam' or 'straight out of a comic,' he's set to deliver an unforgettable portrayal of Jin-woo's evolution and action-packed journey.' Written by Chugong, Solo Leveling is a 2016 web novel that tells the story of Sung Jin-woo, a low-rank hunter (the novel's term for human warrior) who gains supernatural abilities after a near-death experience. He rose the ranks — even surpassing the skills of the greatest hunters — ultimately inheriting the Shadow Monarch position, only for him to discover that he is the Monarch who can save humanity. The web novel was adapted into a webtoon, a video game, and an anime released in 2025, all of which became massively popular as well. The anime also bagged the Anime of the Year award in the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards last May. Solo Leveling will be co-directed by Lee Hae-jun and Kim Byung-seo, known for their work in the films Like A Virgin and Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds, respectively. 'The upcoming live-action series adaptation promises to feature vivid characters, dynamic action sequences, and exhilarating quests, brought to life by a world-class global VFX team. The series will also introduce viewers to fantastical dungeons and uniquely powerful monsters, setting a new standard for live-action adaptations,' Netflix added. Byeon started his entertainment career in 2010 as a model before embarking on an acting career six years later. He gained widespread recognition after starring as the lead in the 2024 K-drama Lovely Runner . Prior to the hit drama, he also starred in Record Of Youth, Strong Girl Nam-soon , and Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency. He was also cast in the upcoming drama The 21st Century Grand Prince's Wife. – Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Netflix makes a bold move to find the next ‘Squid Game'
Netflix (NFLX) is one of those rare businesses that has survived the transition from the '90s when it originally launched to today, managing to pivot and reinvent itself several times along the way. First it revolutionized the DVD rental industry with its rental-by-mail system. Then it changed yet again in 2007, when it introduced its streaming service, which eventually gained such popularity it eliminated the need for rental-by-mail. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Today Netflix is the king of the streaming services, ending 2024 with 302 million global subscribers and an annual operating income of more than $10 billion. While the entertainment company is still on top, that doesn't mean it can slow down. Keeping a position like that requires constant planning and pivoting - something Netflix already has proven it knows how to do. As for its content, it's had some massive global hits in recent years with series such as "Wednesday,""Adolescence," and "Stranger Things," all which rank in its most-watched shows of all time. Related: Netflix has a clever solution to keep its most devoted users happy It saw another enormous success with the premiere of the Korean-made "Squid Game" in 2021, leading to two more seasons and an explosion in interest around Korean content. "Squid Game" debuted its final season on June 27, 2025, and drew a record 106.3 million viewers in its first two weeks. Now Netflix is hoping to continue to nourish the interest its audience has shown with a new show based on a popular Korean web novel. Netflix announced on July 9 that it would debut a live-action version of Korean web novel "Solo Leveling" starring popular actor and model Byeon Woo-seok. Originally released in 2016 on a Korean app called KakaoPage that allows users to share free content, "Solo Leveling" has remained ranked number one on that app and drawn the attention of 14.3 billion readers globally. Thanks to its impact, it's also been adapted into an anime series that won nine awards at the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, including Anime of the Year, Best Action, and Best Character. Related: Netflix finds new way to take on Disney and Comcast's Universal The story follows the adventures of Sung Jin-woo, a human with supernatural abilities known as a "Hunter" who survives a near-death experience and gains powerful abilities because of it. Netflix has brought on board co-directors Lee Hae-jun and Kim Byung-seo, who have worked on live-action films "Ashfall,""Like a Virgin,""Castaway on the Moon,""My Dictator," and "Cold Eyes." Netflix also recently had great success harnessing another aspect of South Korea: its passionate Korean pop fandom. That hit came in the form of "Kpop Demon Hunters," an animated musical film about a group of female warriors disguised as a popular K-pop band. After its June 20 debut, the film raked in 22.7 million views and rocketed to #2 on Netflix's English films list by its third week, while the songs from the movie's fictional bands also cracked into the Billboard Global 200 - ahead of real-life K-pop bands BTS and Blackpink. To further embrace this devoted sector of its audience, Netflix also launched Netflix Golden in 2022, a social media channel solely dedicated to Asian content. Golden has more than one million followers across all social platforms. It's a wise move on Netflix's part to harness these audiences. K-pop fans are known for being both dedicated and willing to spend on the fandoms they care about, easily shelling out north of $1,000 for a concert ticket to see their favorite band. They're clearly showing a hunger for more Korean media, so Netflix is wisely continuing to give them what they want. Related: Netflix has a genius plan to find its next big hit show The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
India Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Sung-jae to Sung Jin-woo: Byeon Woo-seok to lead Solo Leveling live-action series
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 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 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 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
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Netflix is making a live-action series of Solo Leveling. Here's everything we know
Netflix is working on a live-action adaptation of the globally popular webtoon Solo Leveling . The project is in early stages of production and will star South Korean actor Byeon Woo-seok in the lead role of Sung Jin-woo. This announcement follows the massive success of the Solo Leveling anime, which became a cultural sensation—its second season was the most-watched show on Crunchyroll and made history by sweeping all nine major categories, including Anime of the Year, at the prestigious Anime Awards. Solo Leveling originally began as a webnovel written by Chugong and was later adapted into a webtoon in 2018 with illustrations by DUBU from Redice Studio. The series quickly gained international acclaim, especially after being translated into English by Yen Press. The webtoon was first published on KakaoPage in 2016 and has since amassed over 14.3 billion views globally, making it the most-viewed title on the platform. The live-action version will be directed by Lee Hae-jun and Kim Byung-seo, the duo best known for their work on the disaster thriller Ashfall . Their involvement raises expectations for a visually compelling and emotionally intense adaptation. The series will bring to life the dark and thrilling world where monstrous threats emerge from interdimensional Gates and humanity must rely on "Hunters"—supernatural warriors ranked by their abilities—to survive. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Walgreens Hides This Cheap 87¢ Generic Viagra from Seniors – Here's Why Friday Plans Learn More Undo Sung Jin-woo, the protagonist, begins his journey as the weakest E-rank hunter. After a near-death experience in a mysterious double dungeon, he gains access to a unique game-like system that allows him to level up—a feature no other hunter possesses. This transformation propels him to become the most powerful hunter in the world. Byeon Woo-seok's casting as Jin-woo marks a significant milestone in his career. Best known for his roles in 20th Century Girl , Strong Girl Nam-soon , and the breakout hit Lovely Runner , Byeon's popularity has soared, making him a fitting choice for the beloved character. Live Events While Netflix has not yet released a premiere date or full cast list, anticipation for the live-action Solo Leveling series is already sky-high. Given the franchise's existing fanbase and Netflix's track record with genre adaptations, expectations are set for a high-octane series that honors the original while expanding its global reach.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Byeon Woo-seok to lead Solo Leveling live-action adaptation as Sung Jin-woo in hit Korean Webtoon's global crossover
Netflix has officially announced a live-action adaptation of the hugely popular Korean webtoon Solo Leveling, sparking excitement among global fans. Revealed just after Anime Expo 2025, the news marks a significant milestone for Korean webtoon adaptations entering mainstream international media. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Adding to the anticipation, rising Korean star Byeon Woo-seok has been cast as the protagonist, Sung Jin-woo—a timid E-rank hunter who evolves into humanity's most powerful defender. Known for his roles in Lovely Runner and 20th Century Girl, Byeon's casting has been widely praised by fans who see him as a perfect match for the brooding and complex character. Byeon Woo-seok to lead Netflix's Solo Leveling live-action anime Netflix's casting of Byeon Woo-seok has been met with near-universal approval. Known for his roles in 20th Century Girl, Lovely Runner, and Strong Girl Nam Soon, Byeon brings both dramatic depth and a striking resemblance to the character of Jin-woo. Fans have long described the actor as a 'manhwa come to life,' and with his rising profile in Korean entertainment, he is poised to carry the emotional and physical weight of this highly anticipated adaptation. To ensure the adaptation meets global expectations, Netflix has enlisted acclaimed directors Lee Hae-jun (Like a Virgin, Castaway on the Moon) and Kim Byung-seo (Ashfall, Cold Eyes). Together, they bring a blend of visual storytelling and emotional resonance that is ideal for the dark, action-packed world of Solo Leveling. The series is being developed in collaboration with Kakao Entertainment and Sanai Pictures, who are overseeing scriptwriting and creative direction to keep the show faithful to the original source material. Solo Leveling's rise: From web novel to global multimedia phenomenon Solo Leveling began as a web novel by Chugong and later became a visually stunning webtoon illustrated by the late DUBU (REDICE Studio). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It quickly gained traction among global readers for its gripping narrative, where a weak 'E-rank' hunter is suddenly granted the mysterious power to grow stronger without limits. Over time, the story transcended its original format and expanded into a multi-platform franchise that includes: A best-selling anime adaptation (streaming on Crunchyroll) A popular mobile game Multiple merchandise lines A massive international fanbase, with over 14 billion views on platforms like KakaoPage and WEBTOON Solo Leveling becomes a global hit with Webtoon anime and more The story of Solo Leveling centers on Sung Jin-woo, once known as the weakest hunter in a world overrun by magical portals and monsters. After barely surviving a deadly dungeon raid, Jin-woo discovers a unique ability: he can 'level up' like a video game character. This ability allows him to surpass his limits, evolve rapidly, and eventually assume the mantle of Shadow Monarch—humanity's final hope against powerful beings known as Monarchs. This 'zero to hero' arc has resonated with millions, creating a protagonist who is both emotionally complex and physically has had a rocky history with anime-to-live-action adaptations. Series like Cowboy Bebop, Death Note, and Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 received mixed-to-poor responses for lacking fidelity to the source material or failing to meet VFX standards. However, Solo Leveling could change that. Unlike One Piece—which faced criticism for cutting corners on visual effects—Netflix has promised to bring in a top-tier global production team to ensure cinematic quality in the fantasy-action scenes. Solo Leveling joins the ranks of Squid Game and All of Us Are Dead With this adaptation, Solo Leveling now sits among Korea's biggest pop-culture exports, alongside global hits like Squid Game and All of Us Are Dead. It also becomes the first major Korean-origin anime franchise to receive a full-scale live-action series, marking an important shift in how Korean IPs are treated in the global entertainment landscape. While Netflix has not yet confirmed an official release date, production is already underway, and insiders suggest that the series may be slated for late 2025 or early 2026. With the show's high production value, a compelling cast, and a creative team focused on authenticity, fans are hoping Solo Leveling will finally deliver a live-action adaptation that honors its anime roots. Also Read |
