Solo Leveling: Did They REALLY Downplay the Romance?

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Summary

  • Solo Leveling focuses on Jin-Woo’s rise to power, not romance.
  • The romance between Jin-Woo and Cha Hae-In develops slowly.
  • The series downplays their romance but hints at their eventual relationship.

Occasionally, the storyline in Solo Leveling, particularly its anime version, places Jin-Woo in scenarios that make it simple for viewers to imagine him with female characters. Specifically, Cha Hae-In emerges as Jin-Woo’s primary love interest, developing a unique and significant connection with him over time. However, the authenticity of their relationship is debatable among fans, who sometimes criticize Solo Leveling for not fully exploring their romantic aspects.

In essence, “Solo Leveling” isn’t predominantly about romance. The story mainly revolves around the character Jin-Woo’s journey to power, which includes exhilarating battles against magical creatures and other powerful entities. Although there are glimpses into Jin-Woo’s personal life, the narrative primarily focuses on his connections with his family and friends, steering clear of extensive development in romantic relationships. To put it simply, romance isn’t a significant focus or priority for Jin-Woo in this series.

This article contains spoilers from the Solo Leveling manhwa.

A Slow-Burn Type of Relationship

The Silent Build-Up of Cha Hae-In and Jin-Woo’s Romance

The relationship between Cha Hae-In and Sung Jin-Woo could be one of the most gradual ‘slow-burns’, as there seems to be little conventional advancement or obvious signs of their romantic feelings. With Jin-Woo’s intense focus on acquiring power and advancing himself, he tends to overlook less crucial aspects that don’t contribute to his personal growth. Instead of having Jin-Woo proactively pursue Cha Hae-In, the series places him in turbulent situations, leaving minimal opportunities for their romance to flourish.

From the outset, it’s clear that there’s an unspoken bond between Jin-Woo and Cha Hae-In. Cha Hae-In is drawn to Jin-Woo’s enigma, while Jin-Woo is captivated by Cha Hae-In’s unique charm. Their initial encounters might be fleeting, but they establish the roots of their future relationship. Nevertheless, it’s Cha Hae-In who feels the brunt of their emotional ties, as Jin-Woo maintains a guarded emotional stance.

“How could I ever tell him… I want you by my side until I draw my last breath?”—Cha Hae-In

To put it simply, throughout the series, Jin-Woo keeps his feelings for Cha Hae-In hidden, and there’s no typical romantic progression between them, except for that instance when he invites her out casually, as if they were already a couple. However, most of the focus in the story is on Jin-Woo battling against the Monarchs to save the world, with Cha Hae-In taking a back seat.

Subtle Hints of Their Eventual Romance

Lack of Payoff

Although progress in their relationship is gradual between Jin-Woo and Cha Hae-In in the series Solo Leveling, the story sometimes shows a touch of generosity. However, it’s important to note that the romantic undertones seem more pronounced from Cha Hae-In’s viewpoint rather than from Jin-Woo himself. While he does offer her protection and thoughtful acts, these gestures are not exclusive to her; Jin-Woo extends similar kindness towards his friends and loved ones as well.

During the Ahjin Guild storyline, Cha Hae-In openly expresses her affection for Jin-Woo, demonstrating extraordinary efforts such as vanquishing Igris and dueling Beru to become part of his guild. Her actions can be seen as reckless, but they undeniably left a deep mark on Jin-Woo. Additionally, Cha Hae-In exhibits signs of jealousy upon discovering that Yoo Jin-Ho’s female relative had joined the Ahjin Guild instead of her. This sparked curiosity within her about the type of woman Jin-Woo prefers and why he opted for an A-rank hunter over an S-rank hunter like herself.

“Out of all the hunters I met, he’s the first person that smelled nice.”—Cha Hae-In

In contrast to many fantasy or shounen anime where the main character ends up romantically with their female lead following a climactic confession or kiss, such events do not occur in Solo Leveling. Instead, the story concludes with Jin-Woo stepping back into the human world after 27 years of fighting, and rekindling his friendship with Cha Hae-In from the beginning. However, their relationship progresses off-screen, culminating in marriage and the birth of a child, leaving fans to imagine their journey together.

So, Did Solo Leveling Downplay Their Romance?

Final Verdict

It’s accurate to note that the romantic relationship between Cha Hae-In and Jin-Woo was not heavily emphasized in “Solo Leveling.” Given the genre of the series, which primarily focuses on action and adventure, there wasn’t much space left for extensive development of their romance. Moreover, Jin-Woo perceives romance as an indulgence that he can’t afford to engage in, given his numerous responsibilities. Essentially, he doesn’t have the time to nurture such a relationship.

In Solo Leveling, the connection between Jin-Woo and Cha Hae-In feels incredibly genuine. Though their relationship may not progress in traditional ways, it’s evident throughout the story. In a world where survival is crucial, perhaps their love doesn’t require grand gestures or conventional expressions. Instead, they show affection through subtle signs like furtive glances, shared struggles, and unspoken understanding. Ultimately, fans are content to see them remain together at the end of each tale.

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2025-04-26 17:43