Sung Jin-Woo's Biggest Mistakes In Solo Leveling

Summary

Killing Kim Chul was an inhuman and cruel mistake.
Underestimating Hwang Dong-soo’s desire for revenge led to a dangerous trap that could have been costly for Jin-woo.
Voting for the Double Dungeon exploration led to many deaths, even though the decision worked in Sung’s favor eventually.

In the thrilling realm of “Solo Leveling“, I, Sung Jin-woo, find myself often thrown into harrowing predicaments that demand swift and critical decisions under immense duress. As my powers transcend anything I could ever have dreamt of, the weight of saving this world rests heavily on my shoulders.

Jin-woo naturally makes many mistakes along the way as his obligations pile up and his life is threatened by powerful ancient monsters. While some of these blunders have far-reaching consequences, others work in his favor in the grand scheme of things. So, here are Sung Jin-woo’s biggest mistakes in the series, which could have been avoided.

1. Killing Kim Chul

Jin-woo Was Too Cruel to Kim

Arc: Red Gate Arc
Webnovel: Chapters 56 to 64

Within the depths of the Red Gate fortress, top-tier hunter Kim Chul chose to deceive his fellow party members and abandon the less experienced ones. When his own group met their demise and he discovered that Sung Jin-woo’s team had flourished in their absence, a fierce wave of envy washed over him, eventually leading him to attack Sung Jin-woo.

The system uses me, and I use the system.

Although Kim Chul was a poor leader and individual, Sung crossed a line when he assassinated him, given their significant power disparity. Jin-woo went even further by recruiting the killer into his secret militia, which was an inhumane act. Instead of reporting the murderer, Sung chose to mete out justice personally, and in a manner as brutal as possible. This event seemed to harden Sung’s heart towards killing, considering he had already claimed several lives at that point. Since Kim Chul’s death was the first instance where Sung had a genuine option, he should have preserved his humanity by not surrendering to his primal urges.

2. Underestimating Hwang Dong-soo’s Burning Desire For Revenge

A Brilliant Trap That Could Have Proved Deadly For Jin-woo

Arc: International Guild Conference Arc
Webnovel: Chapters 183 to 199

During the International Guild Conference, Sung Jin-woo traveled to America on Korea’s behalf for a prestigious conference arranged by the Federal Bureau of Hunters. Meanwhile, unfortunate events occurred back home as Yoo Jinho was kidnapped and brutally assaulted by Hwang Dong-soo. By this time, Jin-woo had already demonstrated his might by single-handedly conquering an S-rank dungeon. This power disparity between them was now evident to Hwang.

By aiming at Jinho, his intention was to enrage Sung, hoping that the ensuing turmoil would spark a dispute between him and Thomas Andre. Jin-woo unwittingly walked into the trap and got into a brawl with one of the world’s most powerful national-level hunters. Despite emerging victorious, the outcome could have been drastically different if Hwang had executed a similar strategy a few weeks prior.

3. Underestimating The Threat Of The Double Dungeon

Sung Voted In Favor Of Exploring The Double Dungeon

Arc: D-Rank Dungeon Arc
Webnovel: Chapters 1 to 7

Previously, Jin-woo was the weakest hunter globally, risking his life to sustain his family. Thus, when it came to casting the deciding vote on whether to venture into a double dungeon or not, he considered his family’s welfare and advocated for the expedition. However, this mission turned out to be unlike any other Sung had experienced in his life.

Given his previous injuries, Jin-woo should have realized he wasn’t ready for the challenges that lay ahead. It would have been more prudent to reject the proposal for double dungeon exploration, sparing countless other hunters from potential harm. However, at the moment, Jin-woo lacked the foresight to understand the broader implications of his decision, which ultimately led to the sacrifice of many hunters. At that point in time, Sung’s choice, in retrospect, was a regrettable one, and it cost the lives of many.

4. Not Prioritizing Investigation Into His Father’s Disappearance

Sung Couldn’t Get To His Father In Time In The Original Timeline

Arc: International Guild Conference Arc
Webnovel: Chapters 183 to 199

Following his second revival, Sung Jin-woo found himself inundated with the system’s demands for evolution and mission completion. Despite the heavy burdens these tasks brought, he was able to secure the components needed for the Elixir of Everlasting Life and broke his mother’s eternal sleep. However, despite learning that his father was still alive, Jin-woo did not invest nearly as much energy in tracking down his location.

I am saying you should get ready to become hunted.

In the end, when father and son eventually met again, it was tragically too late, and Jin-woo saw Il-Hwan pass away. Later, the Cup of Reincarnation granted him a chance to live an ordinary life with his dad, but the pain of witnessing his death could have been spared.

5. Not Extracting Enough Information From The Architect

Jin-woo Failed To Inquire Kandiaru Properly

Arc: Double Dungeon Arc
Webnovel: Chapters 150 to 164

Since Sung Jin-woo awoke in the hospital after the double dungeon catastrophe, he’s been baffled by the enigmatic system that selected him as a player and seemed to trail behind him like a ghost at all times. He exerted every effort to fathom the essence of this mysterious software, but many of his queries remained unresolved until he revisited the double dungeon and crossed paths with the system’s boss and administrator, Kandiaru.

The Architect induced a dazed condition in Sung Jin-woo, anticipating Ashborn’s arrival and intending to fulfill their agreement. However, it turned out that Sung could tap into old memories which unveiled shocking facts about the possible beginnings of the gates. After recovering from the brief vision of conflict between Monarchs and Rulers, Sung Jin-woo refrained from pressuring Kandiaru to discern his true role or the broader struggle that shaped their reality.

6. Not Joining The Jeju Island Raid Party

Sung Could Have Prevented Many Deaths

Arc: Jeju Island Arc
Webnovel: Chapters 111 to 127

As the Jeju Island team was gearing up for their crucial operation, everyone anxiously anticipated Sung’s decision. However, in an unexpected turn of events, Jin-woo opted to remain at home. Given that his mother had recently emerged from a deep sleep called Eternal Slumber, it seemed logical for him to prioritize time with his loved ones.

If the pain doesn’t kill me, it will almost make me stronger.

If Jin-woo hadn’t initially taken part in the raid, it turned out to be a disastrous situation for the Korean hunters. They were pinned down by the Ant King, sustaining severe injuries, and even top-rank healer Min Byung-Gyu lost his life. If Jin-woo had been present from the start, the Korean hunters could have avoided injury, and maybe the Japanese party would have had fewer casualties.

7. Overconfidence Against The Monarchs

Jin-woo Almost Lost The Battle Against Sillad, Querehsha, And Rakan

Arc: Monarchs War arc
Webnovel: Chapters 200 to 224

During the Monarchs War storyline, Sung Jin-woo found himself in a predicament when Sillad assaulted Go Gunhee while he was away. Upon reappearing in Korea with Shadow Exchange, Jin-woo discovered that the Korean Hunters Association chairman was close to death and chose not to be revived by the Life Holy Water offered by Jin-woo. Sung’s brief meeting with Sillad, the Monarch of Frost, should have prompted significant worries, but he neglected to prepare adequately in response.

Sillad, Querehsha, and Rakan collaborated on a surprise attack. Jin-woo displayed incredible bravery, slaying one of the Monarchs, but was quickly outmatched by the remaining two. A narrow escape for Jin-woo occurred when Sung Il-Hwan intervened at a crucial moment, enabling him to survive. It’s worth noting that Sung appeared underprepared given his previous run-in with Sillad. His stubbornness in managing things alone and avoiding strategic partnerships nearly led to disastrous consequences.

2025-02-28 01:05

Sung Jin-Woo’s Biggest Mistakes In Solo Leveling