Maybe Byeon WooSeok’s Casting In “Solo Leveling” Isn’t As Divisive As We Thought

Dashu Official Instagram / A-1 Pictures

Kpopmap’s Poll from July 11 to July 17 asked fans to weigh in on a critical casting decision: “Do You Think Byeon WooSeok Is The Right Fit For Sung JinWoo In The “Solo Leveling” Live Action?”

The results speak for themselves:

87.0% of voters — a staggering 338,331 fans — said Yes, confident that Byeon WooSeok will “definitely bring justice” to the beloved character. Only 13.0% (50,548 voters) disagreed, stating they would have preferred someone else.

These numbers leave little room for doubt that the fans will be excitedly streaming Byeon WooSeok’s newest project, given the enthusiastic support from fans around the globe. Many fans have been noting that not only does he visually resemble Sung JinWoo’s sleek, sharp character design, but his recent acting range has also proven that he can convey the emotional transformation and raw intensity necessary for the role.

The case for those who are in full support includes his visuals and versatility. Byeon WooSeok’s physical traits — tall stature, intense gaze, and strong jawline — match the manhwa style that we see for Sung JinWoo. But supporters are also citing his evolution as an actor, from youthful romantic leads in “Lovely Runner” and “20th Century Girl” to more mature, layered performances. These shifts have led fans to believe he can embody Sung JinWoo’s tumultuous character arc.

We also can’t ignore the 13% of readers that voted “No.” Concerns center around the production’s ability to faithfully adapt the scale and tone of the “Solo Leveling” universe than WooSeok himself. Some worry the series might compromise on darker themes, impactful fight scenes, or veer into fan service instead of plot depth.

Given “Solo Leveling”‘s status as one of Korea’s most beloved webtoons, boasting billions of global views and recently winning Anime of the Year at the 2025 Crunchyroll Awards, expectations are high. With Byeon WooSeok now official tied to the project, fans are watching closely to see how he and the adaptation will deliver.

With 87% of fans showing him support in this poll, Byeon WooSeok is entering this role with massive support. Whether the production can match that energy with high-quality storytelling and visual spectacle remains the big question. But if early fan consensus is anything to go by, the “Solo Leveling” live-action may be well on its way to becoming a landmark adaptation — and Byeon WooSeok might just be its perfect center.