Solo Leveling: The Hidden Bond Between Sung Jinwoo and Sung Il-Hwan Revealed

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This post contains spoilers for Solo Leveling.

Summary

  • Sung Jinwoo undergoes physical and mental growth through family-related incidents.
  • Sung Il-Hwan was manipulated by the Rulers but ultimately chose to save his son.
  • Despite limited time together, Jinwoo and Il-Hwan had a positive relationship based on mutual understanding.

Solo Leveling boasts a wealth of intriguing characters, each distinctly different from the other. The author has gone the extra mile to make sure they stand out. With so many compelling personalities populating the narrative, it’s quite a challenge to single out one favorite. Nevertheless, among all these captivating figures, Sung Jinwoo often garners the most praise from fans as the top pick.

As Jinwoo progresses through the narrative, he develops greater physical prowess following battles against adversaries. However, certain events contribute to his mental fortitude as well, with many of these pivotal moments related to his family, particularly his father, Sung Il-Hwan.

When Does Sung Jinwoo Meet Sung Il-Hwan?

Jinwoo Met His Father Late In The Story

For many years, Jinwoo’s family assumed that Sung Il-Hwan was dead, having supposedly perished in a dungeon. Unbeknownst to them, however, Sung Il-Hwan defied the odds and lived on. After being imprisoned in the dungeon, he found himself with no means of obtaining food or water, teetering on the edge of death. Yet, the rulers showed him mercy and chose to utilize him as a piece on their board. In exchange for his loyalty, they promised power. With no other alternatives, Sung Il-Hwan agreed to serve them.

In a turn of events, the Leaders entrusted Sung Il-Hwan with the mission to eradicate the emerging Dark King. At that point, Il-Hwan had no idea his assignment would lead to taking the life of his own child. It wasn’t until the Japan Crisis period that he discovered this unsettling truth. Upon realizing that his bloodline had become the new Shadow Monarch, he was left stunned and emotionally conflicted. As a result, Il-Hwan found it unbearable to carry out the act against his son. Fortunately, the Leaders reconsidered their decision and decided to safeguard Jinwoo instead. With renewed determination, Sung Il-Hwan was eager to fulfill this new objective: to save rather than destroy his own kin.

In a situation where Jinwoo was being assaulted by two rulers, Sung Il-Hwan intervened. He engaged them in combat to buy time for Jinwoo’s revival. Recognizing that his son had things under control, Sung Il-Hwan withdrew from the scene. Upon regaining consciousness, Jinwoo set about handling the Beast and the Shadow Monarchs, who had brought him close to death. Initially, Jinwoo defeated the Beast Monarch before moving on to vanquish the Frost Monarch.

Father And Son Were Reunited After A Long Time

Following the destruction of the two rulers, Jinwoo set out to locate his father. In time, he stumbled upon Il-Hwan in a narrow alleyway propped against a wall. It turned out that Il-Hwan had endured severe harm, with his physical form disintegrating. Despite feeling intense anger towards his father, Jinwoo never lashed out or spoke harshly to him.

Sung Jinwoo and Sung Il-Hwan’s Relationship

  • Jinwoo loved his father
  • Sung Il-Hwan regretted not being able to spend time with his son

Sung Jinwoo didn’t have much opportunity to be with his ailing father due to his poor health. However, Il-Hwan shared everything that transpired after he was imprisoned in the dungeon. Despite being separated for such a long period, Jinwoo remained unangered. He listened intently to his father and felt sad that they couldn’t spend more quality time together.

From their brief encounter, it seems likely that Jinwoo and his father shared a good bond. Given that Jinwoo held no resentment towards Il-Hwan, it’s unlikely they would have had a difficult relationship. Notably, Jinwoo highly values his family, as evidenced by his confrontation with the Hunter Association when they were pursuing his father for the murder of Christopher Reed.

Why did you leave without a word again, Dad? —Sung Jinwoo

I’ve noticed that both Jinwoo and Il-Hwan consistently lend a helping hand, disregarding their own positions. Jinwoo’s mother often likened him to his father in this aspect. While some might argue that the author should have spared Il-Hwan, it was indeed the appropriate choice. After all, Jinwoo had once saved his mother from an inescapable illness, and she was undoubtedly the driving force behind his desire to grow stronger. If given a choice between parents, it’s safe to assume that Jinwoo would have opted for his mother.

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2025-05-18 19:46