Solo Leveling's Next Series Will Run Circles Around The Anime In A Major Way

While the anime is planning a grand theatrical release to rival Demon Slayer, Solo Leveling's next big streaming release is steadily inching closer and closer. Netflix's live-action Solo Leveling series is currently in the midst of filming, and although the series does not yet have a release date, judging by casting news and updates straight from its main star, production seems to be going smoothly. In fact, the live-action could even release before the next installment of the anime, the Beyond the System movie, which has yet to officially lock down a release window. More importantly, however, as the One Piece live-action series amasses 1 billion views, the Solo Leveling live-action looks like it could similarly be the franchise's next big hit despite the current skepticism from fans, and the latest update from its main star proves as much. Solo Leveling's Next Series Is Bringing All The Emotion While the upcoming movie prepares for the climactic confrontation between Jinwoo and the bestower of his powers, Solo Leveling's live-action is prepping for an all-new retelling of the story so far, and it looks like it's going to be even more emotional in the anime. Byeon Woo-seok, who is playing Sung Jinwoo in the Solo Leveling live-action, was recently featured in the August 2026 issue of GQ Korea. The issue came enclosed with an interview with the star and some curious insight into the live-action series behind the scenes. Most interestingly, in the interview, Byeon Woo-seok revealed that he actually cried while filming a certain scene in Solo Leveling. He also specified that it wasn't due to the physical strain of the role but rather the emotion that the moment required him to express. While he does not specify which scene exactly, given that filming for the series is still in the very early stages, this emotional scene is likely Jinwoo's reawakening in the double dungeon itself. The interview reads: GQ: When was the last time you cried? WS: Wow... when did I cry? Hold on. Ah, I cried a little while filming my drama. While acting out a scene. I think that's the most recent time. GQ: In the drama you're filming now? Solo Leveling? WS: Yes. The scene required that kind of emotion. GQ: It's a fantasy series packed with action. I imagined things like muscle soreness or your body refusing to cooperate might be enough to bring tears to your eyes physically, but it sounds like it was the scene itself that made you cry. WS: Thankfully, it wasn't because of sore muscles (laughs). Action is actually really fun. Of course, just because it's an action genre doesn't mean all you do is fight. You still have to express the character's emotions. That part is difficult, but it's also what makes it enjoyable. I'm having fun filming in a way that's different from anything I've done before. Towards the end of the interview, Byeon Woo-seok once again circled back to Solo Leveling and mentioned feeling very much in tune with Jinwoo's emotions, specifically his fears surrounding survival. A huge part of Jinwoo's character at the start of the series following the Double Dungeon Incident is his fear of being in a similar helpless situation again and remaining his old weak self. This seems to be the very fear that Byeon Woo-seok is referring to in the interview, as he also confirms filming is still at the very beginning stages of the story. GQ: We began this interview by talking about your tears, but it seems to me that they don't represent only sadness. They're made up of many different emotions. So these days, what emotion occupies the biggest part of your heart? WS: Emotion. These days, my everyday life revolves around filming the drama, so I'm probably most connected to my character, Sung Jinwoo's, emotions. GQ: Is it the desire to level up? WS: No. Right now we're still at the very beginning of the story, so it's more about fear. It's the kind of fear that comes from doing whatever you have to do just to survive. It's a very difficult emotion to put into words. GQ: Being so closely connected to your character must have its advantages, but are you okay? Is it hard separating yourself from him? WS: It doesn't really feel emotionally overwhelming for me. What it does require is a lot of energy. Expressing those kinds of emotions takes a great deal out of me. That's why it's difficult. And that's also why it's so enjoyable. All that said, it seems like Byeon Woo-seok is very much immersed in his newest role as Jinwoo and is dedicating all his energy to bringing this character and his emotions to life. In this sense, Solo Leveling's live-action might even surpass the original series by finally fixing a huge issue that's plagued it for years. Solo Leveling's Live-Action Could Finally Fix The Series' Biggest Weakness A common criticism of Solo Leveling over the years is that its protagonist, Sung Jinwoo, is quite devoid of depth, emotion, and personality. Jinwoo is most certainly built up as a self-insert for the reader to live the power fantasy through him, but as a result, Jinwoo and his own convictions are often lost to the wind, save for rare moments such as his tearful breakdown after saving his mother. That said, Solo Leveling's live-action series could potentially fix this. Albeit produced by Netflix, Solo Leveling's live-action is essentially going to be a K-drama series, and if there's one thing Korean dramas excel at, it's characterization and playing up emotions, and that is exactly what Solo Leveling needs. Byeon Woo-seok himself has previously stolen the show even as an antagonist in the drama Strong Girl Nam-soon, proving just how charismatic he can be on screen. And, if his performance as Jinwoo was enough to bring him to tears, the fans stand no chance at all. - Release Date - 2024 - 2025-00-00 - Network - Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, BS11, Tochigi TV - Directors - Tatsuya Sasaki, Toru Hamasaki - Writers - Shigeru Murakoshi, Shingo Irie, Fuka Ishii Solo Leveling follows Sung Jin-woo, the world's weakest hunter, who gains extraordinary powers through a mysterious program after surviving a brutal monster attack. As he navigates his newfound abilities, Jinwoo embarks on a quest to uncover the secrets of his powers and the dungeon that altered his fate.