Why Jin-Woo’s Personality Changed So Much, Explained

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 of Solo Leveling is 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.

In Solo Leveling episode 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.

Related

7 Most Arrogant Solo Leveling Characters, Ranked

These Solo Leveling characters all think very highly of themselves, but whether their arrogance is earned is another matter.

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 in Solo 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. Even Jin-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 an S-rank hunter full of confidence in just a short period. This proves that power plays a huge part in Sung Jin-Woo’s evolution in Solo 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 incompetence and 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.

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 a fearless hunter determined never to lose and 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.

As a result, Jin-Woo becomes more independent, in stark contrast to the past Jin-Woo, who mostly relied on his teammates to 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 current Jin-Woo doesn’t hesitate in killing any 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.

There are still a lot of events in Solo Leveling that 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.

Solo Leveling

Release Date

January 7, 2024

Directors

Shunsuke Nakashige

• 

  Taito Ban

  Shun Mizushino (voice)

• 

  Genta Nakamura

  Kenta Morobishi (voice)