Summary
Quick Links
It’s only natural forSolo Levelingto feature flashy characters, from Sung Jin-Woo himself to Japan and Korea’s S-rank hunters with outrageous strength and abilities. After all, these hunters serve as the first line of offense and defense in a world plagued by mysterious gates, magical beasts, and higher beings. But behind the scenes, there’s an unsung character, someone whose efforts deserve just as much recognition as the elite hunters.
S-rank hunters are often the center of attention in the world ofSolo Leveling. Just the mention of their names is enough to shake nations, withChoi Jong-In hailed as the “Ultimate Weapon”or the “Ultimate Soldier” and Go Gun-Hee as the “S-Rank Among the S-Ranks" or “The Sky Above the Skies.” Their aura and commanding presence capture the nation, eclipsing low-level hunters who deserve more recognition like this A-rank hunter. And no, it’s not Lee Min-Sung or Park Jong-Soo.
Hunter Rank and Type:
Affiliation:
Korean Hunters Association
Following the events of the double dungeon incident, Woo Jin-Chul begins to play a significant role in the plot progression ofSolo Leveling. He first appears at the hospital, where he visits Jin-Woo toinvestigate his alleged reawakening. As it turns out, Woo Jin-Chul is the chief inspector of the association’s surveillance team, and he’s tasked with measuring Jin-Woo’s mana output after his miraculous recovery.
Soon after, Jin-Chul reappears to investigate themysterious deaths of Kang Tae-Shik, some rehabilitators, and survivors of the double dungeon incident. His curiosity towards Jin-Woo starts to get deeper, especially after the E-rank hunter survives the Red Gate incident completely unscathed. But even before that, Jin-Chul made an impact, stepping in to prevent a heated clash between two powerful S-rank hunters: Baek Yoon-Ho and Hwang Dong-Soo.
“Things would run smoothly if you cooperated. Will that be okay?"—Woo Jin-Chul to Sung Jin-Woo
Jin-Chul becomes even more significant the more hegets involved with Jin-Woo. Every time Jin-Woo does something shady or mysterious, Jin-Chul is present. He gradually takes on the role of an all-around association operative, acting as Jin-Woo’s bodyguard, shielding him from the press and the prying eyes of hunters. From monitoring Jin-Woo’s activities to following him on raids and even traveling abroad to attend a crucial conference, Jin-Chul stays closely connected, proving his reliability time and again.
Woo Jin-Chul’s Rank and Strength
An A-Rank Hunter With S-Rank Courage and Loyalty
As mentioned, Woo Jin-Chul isn’t an S-rank hunter enjoying top-tier privileges. He is an A-rank hunter who is probably on par with or even above figures like Knights Guild master Park Jong-Soo and Jin-Ho’s cousin, Yoo Soo-Hyun, who are bothnotable A-rank huntersthemselves. However, Jin-Chul is far from being able to solo dungeons at his current level, and because he works directly for the Hunter Association, he’s forbidden from joining dungeon raids for personal gain, limiting his opportunities to grow stronger through traditional means.
Still, Woo Jin-Chul has the courage and loyalty of an S-rank hunter when it comes to serving humanity and his country. He remains unwavering in his ideals, with much of his convictioninspired by Chairman Go Gun-Hee. Money, fame, or power won’t work for him, as he is absolutely devoted to his duty. In fact, when an inevitable situation comes up sometime in the future events ofSolo Leveling, Jin-Chul summons every ounce of courage he has to step up, becoming one of the symbols of hope for humanity.
“He’s in a different league of his own. He’s an A-rank! I can’t handle him with my strength right now."—Sung Jin-Woo to Woo Jin-Chul
Woo Jin-Chul’s attitude toward work in general can’t even be compared to Japan’s Shigeo Matsumoto, the former chairman of the Japanese hunter association. Unlike Matsumoto, whoresorted to underhanded schemesin an attempt to elevate his nation’s standing, Jin-Chul isn’t the type of guy who would compromise his integrity for power. Instead of doing this, he would rather act as a bridge to keep society’s normal functions and preserve balance.
Woo Jin-Chul’s Relationship With Jin-Woo
He Is Far More Affiliated With Jin-Woo
Of everything that’s mentioned above, the most important thing that Woo Jin-Chul does inSolo Levelingis support Sung Jin-Woo. He supports Jin-Woo without fear, favoritism, or bias, treating the strongest hunter fairly and not letting power levels or politics cloud his judgment. More than anything, he truly respects Jin-Woo and the burden he carries in maintaining the world they live in.
“I’m here as Hunter Sung’s bodyguard."—Woo Jin-Chul
In conclusion, Woo Jin-Chul deserves far more recognition than many of theelite hunters in Korea. His role extends well beyond the events ofSolo Leveling, remaining relevant even inSolo Leveling: Ragnarok. While he doesn’t possess the strength equal to the S-rank hunters, he is undeniably one of the pillars of the Hunter Association, an essential support system to Jin-Woo, and a crucial ally of humanity. He may be working silently behind the scenes, but his contributions speak for him. In essence, Woo Jin-Chul is there when it matters most.
