Solo Leveling Characters Who Ended Up Being Surprisingly Weak

Summary

Strength doesn’t always correlate with rank, as many A and B-rank hunters have been defeated in battles.
Even gifted hunters fall short – like Mage Cho Kyuhwan being defeated quickly by Sung Jin-Woo.
A-rank hunters like Kim Chul and Son Kihoon faced defeat against powerful foes despite their defensive skills.

In the world of “Solo Leveling“, there’s an array of extremely powerful characters, some so potent they can finish a dungeon within minutes due to their immense destructive capabilities. On the other hand, we find individuals who possess the talents of being hunters, yet lack the strength to fully utilize these abilities. This is what sets apart the characters in “Solo Leveling” from ordinary E-Rank hunters to those in the elite S-Class.

Even though E-Rank hunters possess significant potential, they rarely achieve success in battles. This doesn’t imply that being a higher-ranked hunter ensures survival; quite the contrary, numerous C-Rank to A-Rank characters have demonstrated unexpected weakness during their journeys. In fact, despite showing great promise, some of these characters have been defeated in battle, often leaving viewers surprised.

8. Cho Kyuhwan

An Evil, Right-Hand Man With Limited Strength

Debut: “A Pretty Good Deal” (Episode 5 of Solo Leveling)
Rank: C
Class: Mage
Skills: Fire Magic

Stepping into a dungeon filled with mana crystals, Sung Jin-Woo and some freshly formed allies found themselves swiftly misled by the hidden agendas of their fellow team members. With the team leader was Cho Kyuhwan, a sly C-rank mage capable of summoning flames. He can occasionally be quick-tempered, yet he’s self-assured in his skills. This assertiveness was coupled with a dark mindset that gave Jin-Woo cause for concern.

If only he had been aware of Jin-Woo’s abilities, perhaps things would have turned out differently for him. His fire magic proved no match, neither for his adversary nor for his fate. Despite being a skilled fire-wielding sorcerer, Kyuhwan met his end swiftly at the hands of Jin-Woo in battle, a defeat that was almost humiliating given his initial confidence.

7. Yoon Kijoong

The Tanker Who Cried When He Was Saved

Debut: “You Aren’t E-Rank, Are You?” (Episode 13 of Solo Leveling)
Rank: C
Class: Tanker
Skills: Unknown

In the role of the fortified warrior among a weaker band of elite hunters, Yoon Kijoong demonstrated an ability to stand firm and strengthen defenses during intense battles. Splitting into two factions within the dungeon, Kijoong was well-equipped with the skills to lead his group effectively and safeguard everyone from danger.

Unfortunately, when trouble struck, it proved overwhelming for Jingwoo. Fortunately, Jin-Woo was there as well, utilizing all his skills to fend off any obstacles they encountered, even the fearsome Ice Bears that could dismember a human in a blink of an eye.

6. Hwang Dongsuk

An Evil Leader Who Was All Bark And No Bite

Debut: “A Pretty Good Deal” (Episode 5 of Solo Leveling)
Rank: C
Class: Tanker
Skills: Unknown

Dongsuk Hwang was a C-class hunter who knew his own abilities and managed to project an impressive persona that boosted the morale of his fellow hunters, making them feel secure enough to venture into any dungeon. Primarily interested in dungeons rich with resources for mining, Dongsuk excelled as a tanker, boasting both strength and defensive skills. Notably, he was the elder brother of the notorious S-rank hunter, Hwang Dongsoo.

Despite being boisterous and self-assured, Dongsuk had no hope against Jin-Woo. As he saw his comrades fall one by one, he challenged Jin-Woo directly, but met with the same outcome. Unable to match the legendary exploits of his more skilled younger brother, Dongsuk found himself rotting in the very dungeon he tried to plunder from Jin-Woo and his companions.

5. Kang Taeshik

The B-Rank Assassin Who Stood No Chance

Debut: “It’s Like a Game” (Episode 3 of Solo Leveling)
Rank: B
Class: Assassin
Skills: Stealth

Kang Taeshik, with the disguise of joining a squad to observe criminals within the dungeon, harbored ulterior motives. He aimed not only to watch over Jin-Woo but also to indulge his secret thirst for violence within the dungeon’s confines. Indeed, Taeshik intended to kill most of the participants in the dungeon, including the prisoners.

After discovering that Jin-Woo had hidden depths, Song Chi-Yul, Lee Joohee, and he found themselves under threat as Jin-Woo charged towards them, intending to kill the trio and escape the dungeon without raising any red flags. However, Taeshik’s plan to eliminate Joohee, the group’s healer, backfired when Jin-Woo revealed his full might and swiftly dispatched Taeshik, making him one of Jin-Woo’s most formidable foes at that moment.

4. Lee Johee

The B-Ranked Healer That Lacked Confidence

Debut: “I’m Used to It” (Episode 1 of Solo Leveling)
Rank: B
Class: Healer
Skills: Healing Magic, Haste, Burn Booster, Strength Buff

Lee Johee was presented as a remarkable healer, attaining a B-class status due to her unique ability to seal life-threatening injuries with her powers. In the first episode, she miraculously saved Jin-Woo’s life – a pattern that is hinted to repeat throughout their story. Without Johee’s assistance, Jin-Woo and numerous others would have met an untimely demise much earlier.

Despite Johee’s remarkable abilities, her one glaring flaw is a crippling lack of self-assurance in high-pressure situations. For instance, during the double dungeon event, Johee became paralyzed with fear and failed to respond when it mattered most. This incident left Johee too timid to participate in another dungeon, fearing she might freeze again and potentially endanger someone else’s life. Consequently, her B-rank potential remains largely untapped.

3. Kim Chul

Lost His Mind And His Life

Debut: “You Aren’t E-Rank, Are You?” (Episode 13 of Solo Leveling)
Rank: A
Class: Tanker
Skills: Taunt

Kim Chul was an arrogant high-ranking tanker who held immense confidence in his skills, preferring not to join forces with less skilled hunters. His boastful nature would often provoke others, creating an opportunity for his allies to strategize and retaliate. Given his superior rank, many chose to team up with Chul in their dungeon expeditions, as his defensive capabilities were virtually unmatched within the group.

Sadly, Chul and his companions found the dungeon overwhelming; Ice Elves’ assault had left them nearly wiped out, with only Chul surviving. He eventually came to, but met Jin-Woo and his team with a blind fury, striking at him in a moment of anger and bewilderment. Tragically, this led to his downfall as Igris swiftly ended the life of an A-rank hunter like Chul in just a few moments.

2. Son Kihoon

An A-Rank Leader With A Heart Of Gold

Debut: “This Is What We’re Trained to Do” (Episode 17 of Solo Leveling)
Rank: A
Class: Tanker
Skills: Unknown

Normally, high-ranking leaders are known for their hardened demeanor and unyielding personality, showing little tolerance towards those who struggle. However, Captain Son Kihoon buckles this trend, demonstrating a compassionate nature that embraces every member of his team. He commands the Hunters Guild Strike Squad B, earning him immense respect and recognition as one of the most esteemed captains globally.

Despite Kihoon’s impressive strength and fighting abilities, he crumbled under the intensity of a battle against the powerful Orc shaman, Kargalgan. In the comic version, he winces at just one bellow from Kargalgan, while in the animated series, he maintains his composure. What they share is a common outcome: Kargalgan defeats Kihoon severely, leaving him on the brink of death. If not for Jin-Woo’s intervention, both Kihoon and the rest of their team would have perished.

1. Lee Minsung

Inexperienced And Labeled As A Coward

Debut: “Don’t Look Down on My Guys” (Episode 18 of Solo Leveling)
Rank: A
Class: Unknown
Skills: Unknown

Lee Minsung is often characterized as an attractive, self-assured young man who maintains his stardom and wealth with a laid-back sense of style. Upon learning that he was an elite A-rank hunter, Minsung decided to leave his acting career behind in favor of venturing into dungeons. Had it not been for Jin-Woo’s emergence as the 10th S-rank hunter, Minsung might have received the attention and recognition he yearned for.

It turned out that Minsung’s hunting expeditions didn’t make much of a difference compared to his success in acting. In the early stages of one dungeon raid, when danger loomed, Minsung unexpectedly froze instead of retaliating against a group of ants rushing towards him. Later, he was rescued by a teammate, but his cowardice during the hunt earned him the nickname “wuss” from his comrades and undermined his reputation as a hunter, even though he held an A-rank status.

2025-03-10 07:35