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It’s not uncommon for timid and weak anime protagonists to undergo a drastic personality change after gaining power, and the infamous Sung Jin-Woo ofSolo Levelingis no exception. Once a pitiful hunter with a lowly rank of E, Jin-Woo transforms into a confident and dominant force as the story unfolds. His metamorphosis is nothing short of fascinating, as Sung Jin-Woo’s newfound powers ultimately shape his evolution.
InSolo Levelingepisode 1, “I’m Used to It,” a weak hunter by the name of Sung Jin-Woo braves a double dungeon despite his pathetic abilities and frail body. By the time viewers reach episode 19, “The 10th S-Rank Hunter,” the same hunter shakes the balance of the world as the newest S-rank hunter. He still goes by the name of Sung Jin-Woo, but he’s arguably far different from his former self.
Sung Jin-Woo’s Drastic Personality Change
From Prey to Predator Mindset
There are a lot of possible reasons why Sung Jin-Woo’s personality has changed so much inSolo Leveling. His change is not merely physical but also psychological, as if he were not the same person anymore. For example, his current looks are far different from his former visuals. The more he gains strength, the more his looks also change. EvenJin-Ah takes notice of her brother’s transformation, as he’s now refined and toned and could pass as a South Korean idol or actor on television. The girls also started to hit on Jin-Woo, though he remains dense in front of most of them, which is interesting.
Sung Jin-Woo’s looks are just one of the many things that changed within him. Gone is the Jin-Woo who’s indecisive, timid, and anxious. He went from an E-rank hunter who lacked confidence to anS-rank hunter full of confidencein just a short period. This proves that power plays a huge part in Sung Jin-Woo’s evolution inSolo Leveling. Times have changed, and so has Jin-Woo, who once feared death but has become a ruler of death itself.
Turning Points in Jin-Woo’s Personality Change
The Double Dungeon Incident
Sung Jin-Woo’s traumatizing experience inside the Cartenon Temple left him in an absolute state of helplessness. With his peers dying one after another and the others betraying him upfront,Jin-Woo is reminded of his incompetenceand his weakness. In the face of imminent death, there’s nothing Jin-Woo can do but pity himself and the pathetic life he has lived so far. And for the first time, he truly resents his powerlessness.
“It’s embarrassing to call myself a hunter. Not only do I get hurt all the time, but near-death experiences are nothing new to me."—Sung Jin-Woo
This incident impacts Jin-Woo so deeply that it completely rewires his mindset. From that day forward, Jin-Woo refuses to be weak or be looked down upon by superior beings. It’s not enough for him to merely survive; he needs to be strong enough to fight. The Jin-Woo who entered the Cartenon Temple died that day, and the one who emerged became afearless hunter determined never to loseand be weak again.
Becoming a Player in the System
The system plays a significant role in the development of Jin-Woo’s strength. It forced him into countless life-or-death situations but also conditioned him to survive. There’s not a day that goes by that Jin-Woo’s life is not at risk, thanks to his daily quests. Eventually, fighting becomes a natural thing for Jin-Woo, and the system is somewhat successful in eliminating his feelings of indecisiveness and hesitation.
“Weakness is not something to brag about."—Sung Jin-Woo
As a result, Jin-Woo becomes more independent, in stark contrast to the pastJin-Woo, who mostly relied on his teammatesto fight for him and heal him. This change possibly contributes to Jin-Woo’s tendency to detach himself from his fellow hunters. He became so used to fighting alone in the system that Jin-Woo began to see the hunters around him as little more than just a burden or a distraction. In short, Jin-Woo would rather fight alone.
Killing Hunters for the First Time
The currentJin-Woo doesn’t hesitate in killingany human that threatens his family. If Jin-Woo considers someone his enemy, there’s a huge chance that he will end their lives on Earth without remorse. Although in the past, Jin-Woo was somewhat idealistic, avoiding conflicts with other hunters as much as possible and preferring not to cross the line. But after his first kill in the dungeon with Hwang Dong-Suk, everything changes. Each time Jin-Woo kills a human, the more he stops viewing human life as sacred. As the plot unfolds, killing humans also becomes a natural thing for Jin-Woo. While those who witness his carnage are concerned about his morality, Jin-Woo remains cold and ruthless.
Again, one of my emotions died. Even anger itself is a waste on the likes of you.—Sung Jin-Woo
There are still a lot of events inSolo Levelingthat contribute to Sung Jin-Woo’s change in personality. All the turning points mentioned above only prove that it’s inevitable and necessary for Sung Jin-Woo to change. He had to change as the world he lived in rewarded the strong and pitied the weak. The good thing is, despite these changes, a huge part of Jin-Woo remains the same—his selflessness and his desire to protect the people he treasures the most.
