[OSENWORLD] Rising K-drama star Byeon Woo-seok, best known for his breakout role as Sun-jae in Lovely Runner, is set to lead the live-action adaptation of the mega-hit Korean webtoon and web novel Solo Leveling.
On July 10, Netflix officially confirmed the production of a live-action drama based on Solo Leveling, with Byeon cast in the lead role of Sung Jin-woo, a weak “E-rank hunter” who gains overwhelming power after a near-death encounter and becomes the strongest hunter capable of saving humanity from deadly interdimensional monsters.
The series is based on the hugely popular web novel and webtoon published via Kakao Page. Known for its action-packed world and transformation narrative, the IP has already amassed over 14.3 billion views globally, and its anime adaptation became a runaway success — especially in North America.
The Solo Leveling anime swept nine major categories at the 2025 Crunchyroll Awards, including Anime of the Year, Best Action, and Best Character, marking the first time a Korean title dominated the event.
The live-action version is generating major buzz, particularly among North American fans. The anime resonated strongly with male viewers in their 20s and 30s across the region, and expectations are sky-high for the drama to deliver the same intensity.
Byeon Woo-seok’s casting adds even more intrigue. Originally a model, Byeon debuted as an actor in 2016 and steadily rose through supporting roles in dramas like Strong Girl Nam-soon, Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency, and When Flowers Bloom, I Think of the Moon. But it was Lovely Runner in 2023 that catapulted him into stardom, earning him a passionate global following.
The live-action Solo Leveling will be co-directed by Lee Hae-jun (Ashfall) and Kim Byung-seo (Cold Eyes), and produced jointly by Studio & New, Kakao Entertainment, and Sanai Pictures.
With this high-stakes fantasy project, Byeon Woo-seok is poised to leap from K-romance sweetheart to global action star.
/k_inside@osen.co.kr
