Summary
Quick Links
It’s tough to be a hunter inSolo Leveling, but it’s tougher to be a hunter like Go Gun-Hee, who can’t do much but watch the next generation fight on the battlefield. If only his body hadn’t aged and his heart didn’t ache, Go Gun-Hee is sure to cause havoc among the magical beasts emerging from the Gates and, most likely, in the fourth and final attempt to retake Jeju Island from the ferocious ants.
Go Gun-Hee is unlike any other hunter inSolo Leveling, not only because he was once the strongest in Korea but also because of his early retirement. Believe it or not, Chairman Go Gun-Hee is over 80 years old despite his muscular physique and indomitable aura. As his body ages, Go Gun-Hee knows that his time is already running out. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as immortality for a mere human like him.
Go Gun-Hee’s Glory Days
Korea’s Former Strongest S-Rank Hunter
In his glory days, Go Gun-Hee was considered the strongest hunter in Korea, earning the title of theS-rank among S-ranksand even The Sky Above the Skies. Everyone looks up to him, including Sung Jin-Woo, who has mad respect for his skills and the strength he still holds to this day. While Go Gun-Hee wants to pursue his hunting career for as long as possible, his body can no longer keep up. Retirement becomes a bitter pill that Gun-Hee has to swallow in the series.
Fortunately, Gun-Hee manages to find another way to help the hunters in the only way he can—by becoming the chairman ofthe Hunter’s Association of Korea. By doing this, Gun-Hee can oversee the activities of the hunters, monitor the appearance of the gates, and liaise with other nations. It’s an incredibly important position that only Gun-Hee can fill, making him irreplaceable in the eyes of the vast majority.
“I’ve always wanted to fight alongside young hunters like yourself."—Go Gun-Hee to Sung Jin-Woo
Despite Gun-Hee’s declining body, he still has plenty of fight left in him. An ordinary hunter who dares to provoke him or test his strength would be foolish to fight him in a one-on-one battle—unless they’re an S-rank hunter or Sung Jin-Woo, whose powers transcend human understanding.
The Condition of Go Gun-Hee’s Heart
Even S-Rank Hunters Have Limits
Apart from Gun-Hee’s aging body, his heart condition becomes a huge concern, not just for his wife but also for the other hunters who personally care about him. Apparently, Gun-Hee’s heart refuses to stop shaking, beating thousands—tens of thousands—of times, making him realize he is already nearing his limit. In fact, his heart has been this way for a couple of years, but neither he nor the doctors can do anything about it. Healing magic does not affect him, leaving him with no choice but toaccept his fate and embrace his retirement.
“You’ve come for me, thank you very much."—Go Gun-Hee to Sung Jin-Woo
The doctors recommend that Gun-Hee step down from the Hunter’s Association to calm his heart, mind, and body, but he refuses to abandon his post. They even warn Gun-Hee that continuing to work against medical advice could potentially cost him his life within half a year, yethe just can’t retire at homeand watch everyone fight without him. Two years after the doctor’s advice, Gun-Hee is still alive, but he knows—and feels—that his condition is getting worse.
Did Gun-Hee’s Heart Stop Beating?
His Fate Revealed
Unfortunately, Gun-Hee meets a tragic demise in the original timeline ofSolo Leveling. His body succumbs to the injuries he sustains whilefighting against a powerful Monarchwho wanted him dead. If only the Monarch had not trapped Gun-Hee’s office in a dimensional crack, Jin-Woo would have sensed that Gun-Hee’s life was in danger much earlier, giving him a chance to intervene and possibly save his life. Throughout the fight with the Monarch, the latter mocks Gun-Hee’s declining body, calling it a vessel bound to break sooner or later.
Sung Jin-Woo later arrived to help Gun-Hee, but he was already too late. His potions can’t heal the chairman and even Beru’s healing abilities do not affect his injuries. He wanted to use the Elixir of Life, but Gun-Hee stopped him. At that point, Gun-Hee had already accepted his fate. He also realized that the reason his heart had not stopped beating until now was to meet ahunter like Sung Jin-Woo. In the following days, Gun-Hee’s demise was reported to the public, with the cause of death being a stab in the heart.
“Please remain on the side of humans."—Go Gun-Hee to Sung Jin-Woo
All in all, being an S-rank inSolo Levelingdoesn’t mean that Go Gun-Hee is untouchable, as his body is still that of a mortal being, with a heart that can stop beating at any moment. Sadly, his body can no longer hold onto the immense abilities he once commanded with ease. Still, Gun-Hee’s legacy remains in the hearts of hunters like Woo Jin-Chul and Sung Jin-Woo, who carry the same unwavering resolve to protect the world.
