Ha Jung-woo may be joining Netflix’s live-action Solo Leveling series in a special appearance role. On September 23, 2026, South Korean outlet SPOTV News reported that the actor has been offered the part of Hwang Dong-soo, a major antagonist from the original story. The report quickly spread across entertainment platforms, but his agency WALKHOUSECOMPANY has responded with a short statement.
“Nothing has been confirmed.”
The news has generated significant attention because Solo Leveling already features a strong lead cast, with Byeon Woo-seok confirmed as the protagonist Sung Jin-woo and Han So-hee in talks to play Cha Hae-in.
Who Is Hwang Dong-soo in the Story?
Hwang Dong-soo is an S-rank Hunter in the original web novel and webtoon. He is one of the main villains who directly clashes with Sung Jin-woo as the story progresses. In the source material, Hwang Dong-soo is a powerful and dangerous figure, and his introduction raises the stakes for the protagonist. Bringing in a top-tier actor like Ha Jung-woo for this role would add considerable weight to the series, especially given the character’s importance in the narrative.
Ha Jung-woo is one of South Korea’s most bankable film stars, known for leading roles in movies such as Along with the Gods, The Handmaiden, and Ashfall. His possible involvement in Solo Leveling is notable because he previously worked with the series’ co-directors Lee Hae-jun and Kim Byung-seo on the 2019 film Ashfall. That existing working relationship may have played a part in the casting discussions.
Solo Leveling Cast and Production Details
Byeon Woo-seok was officially confirmed as the lead Sung Jin-woo in July 2025. Han So-hee is in talks for the female lead Cha Hae-in, a fan-favorite S-rank hunter. Kang You-seok is also in talks to portray Yoo Jin-ho, Sung Jin-woo’s trusted ally.
Several other actors have been linked to the project. Choi Myeong-been is reportedly in talks to play Sung Jin-ah, the protagonist’s younger sister. Rain, Lee Sung-min, Kang Mina, Sung Joon, Kim Si-ah, and Lee Hong-nae are also reportedly in discussions to join the cast.
The live-action series will be co-directed by Lee Hae-jun and Kim Byung-seo, the filmmaking duo behind Ashfall and Castaway on the Moon. Production is a collaboration between Netflix, Kakao Entertainment, and Sanai Pictures.
Filming for the first season reportedly began in May 2026, although Netflix has not yet announced a premiere date. The first season is expected to consist of seven episodes, a shorter count compared to the anime’s first season, which had twelve episodes.
What This Means for the Live-Action Adaptation
Solo Leveling began as a web novel on KakaoPage before being adapted into a popular webtoon and an animated series. The story follows Sung Jin-woo, an E-rank Hunter who is the weakest among those who protect the real world from monsters emerging through mysterious Gates. After a near-death experience, he gains extraordinary abilities and begins to level up, eventually becoming humanity’s unexpected hope.
The live-action adaptation is one of Netflix’s most ambitious Korean projects, with a global VFX team working to bring the story’s dungeons and monster battles to life. The casting of Ha Jung-woo, if confirmed, would add another major name to an already star-studded lineup. His agency’s cautious response suggests that negotiations are still in the early stages, and no official contract has been signed.
Global Release Information
Netflix has not yet announced a specific release date for the Solo Leveling live-action series. The show is expected to be available on Netflix worldwide, including in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, and other regions where the platform operates. Based on the filming schedule that began in May 2026, the series could arrive in late 2027 or 2028, though no official window has been confirmed.
Ha Jung-woo is currently filming the upcoming movie Inside Men: The Birth of Evil. His potential addition to Solo Leveling remains unconfirmed as of September 23, 2026.
Stay tuned to VvipTimes for more updates on the Solo Leveling live-action series and other major K-drama casting news.
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