Solo Leveling: The Surprising Truth About Jinwoo & Joohee’s Close Bond

Summary

Jinwoo and Joohee’s bond grew from mutual respect and gratitude
Joohee prioritized mental health, retiring as a Hunter after the double dungeon incident
Their deep friendship transcended time, leaving an imprint beyond romance

It’s natural to expect a romantic relationship might develop between two characters, given they are both compassionate and excel in protecting others. While sharing similar traits can lead to deeper feelings, it’s also possible for their bond to strengthen into a profound friendship instead of something more intimate.

In the well-known shonen series “Solo Leveling,” the protagonist, Jinwoo, initially appears as a weak character but eventually gains immense power. Throughout his journey as a Hunter, he frequently interacts with Joohee. Since Jinwoo is often injured during his missions, he heavily relies on Joohee’s healing abilities due to her top-tier skills in the field of healing. The bond between these two characters in “Solo Leveling” may have been hinted at from the start.

Lee Joohee’s Personality

Kind and Caring

One notable trait she displayed, particularly upon retiring from being a Hunter, was her exceptional self-awareness. She is not only compassionate but also willing to bend over backwards to shield those who can’t defend themselves. Her modesty sets her apart, and she effortlessly forms bonds with others, making her an incredibly friendly individual.

In that scenario, Joohee excelled at portraying a supportive character alongside Jinwoo, particularly during times when Jinwoo was particularly weak. Other Hunters weren’t often keen on collaborating with him due to his occasional replacement in a dungeon raid when the team lacked sufficient members for a mission. However, Joohee consistently offered assistance whenever they were on the same team, as Jinwoo greatly benefited from any support he could receive.

“I don’t want an apology. I’m worried about you.” ~ Lee Joo Hee

Strength in Knowing Her Limits

A B-class healer, who typically ventures into dungeons beneath her skill level, undeniably shows a marked tendency towards fear and caution. Despite being merely two tiers below the elite S-rank, Joohee exhibits an unusual reluctance to fully utilize her potential.

Her particular qualities were instrumental in her forming a bond with Jinwoo; her apprehensions hindered her advancement as a Hunter, causing her to explore lower-tier dungeons where she frequently encountered Jinwoo. It wasn’t long before she struck up a conversation with the man who seemed to require a healer more often than others in the dungeon group.

Jinwoo’s Feelings Towards Lee Joohee

Respect And Gratitiude

As a young South Korean, Jinwoo exhibited refined manners and a well-rounded upbringing. His motivation for joining the Hunter profession was selfless and sincere – he aimed to provide for his sick sister and bedridden mother. Unbeknownst to Joohee, she develops a fondness towards him and assumes responsibility for him during missions.

It was the critical lack of funds that compelled Jinwoo to persist in dungeon raids, ventures notorious for claiming or crippling Hunters. However, they offered substantial rewards, making them risky yet potentially lucrative. Jinwoo couldn’t help but be thankful to Joohee, who consistently nursed him back to health and facilitated his continued participation in these perilous expeditions.

How He Showed It

In the course of the Double Dungeon event, when Jinwoo acquired the “system” that enabled him to advance levels, he chose to safeguard her life instead of his own. This was crucial as she had become deeply traumatized by the situation and was unable to move or even utilize her healing powers.

Jinwoo wasn’t fearful, yet his actions in such a critical situation, where he chose to protect Joohee without knowing the consequences, reveal a tender affection towards her, which was further supported by the pledge he made to her earlier in the dungeon. When she nursed him back to health, she asked him to dine with her, and he did his utmost to uphold that commitment.

Understanding Each Other

What They Had In Common

These characters exhibited a high degree of compassion towards themselves and others. Jinwoo, despite being wounded by other Hunters numerous times, went out of his way to rescue as many as possible during the double dungeon incident while still relatively weak. As he grew stronger, he continued to save even more Hunters independently.

I noticed that, despite often struggling under pressure, Joohee chose to stick by Jinwoo in the treacherous double dungeon when most others opted to flee. In a twist of events, another Hunter knocked out Joohee and whisked her away for safety, allowing her to survive. This incident ultimately led Joohee to step back from her career. However, she defied expectations once more by re-emerging from retirement to lend a hand during the third raid operation on Jeju Island, as part of the Jeju Island Arc.

What Made Them Different

Jinwoo persisted tirelessly, despite his weakness, eventually casting the decisive vote for entering the twin dungeons. Joohee, being prudent and fearful, opposed it, but the early choice set the stage for fans to understand the nature of our main character.

From my perspective, the “system” appears to have intensified Jinwoo’s character traits rather than altering them fundamentally. His hunger for power escalates with each mission he completes from the system, and surprisingly, even tasks that require him to eliminate another Hunter don’t seem to phase him for long.

Instead of continuing her career as a Hunter, Joohee recognized her boundaries and chose to prioritize her mental well-being. Following the double dungeon incident, she encounters a more powerful Jinwoo who rescues her once more in a D-rank dungeon. After the raid, they have a conversation where she acknowledges his transformation and openly admits her vulnerabilities to him, revealing her decision to retire. She understands that she lacked the same determination as Jinwoo, but he accepts and backs her choice to step down from her Hunter role.

Their Beautiful Friendship

In the narrative, Jinwoo’s friendship with Joohee reached its zenith during a time when Jinwoo was relatively inexperienced as a Hunter. Her compassion towards him significantly shaped his character, which later proved crucial as he went on to assist and rescue both ordinary people and fellow Hunters within the story.

In the story, when Jinwoo restores the world and forgets everyone, he is virtually unknown to all except Joohee. Yet, when they meet again, she feels a sense of familiarity with him, as if some piece of her recalls him. Despite their past being erased in the new world, the silent bond between them persists across time. This bond, though not romantic, was so profound that it left an indelible mark on both of them.

2025-05-19 17:39