Why Choi Jong-In Looks So Evil in Solo Leveling (But Isn’t a Villain)

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Summary

  • Choi Jong-In initially appears villainous, resembling iconic anime villains like Aizen and Hisoka.
  • He is a respected hunter in Korea and a powerful fire magic user, but ultimately a good guy.
  • Despite an early rivalry with Sung Jin-Woo, Choi Jong-In supports and respects Jin-Woo’s power.

In the comic series “Solo Leveling“, certain characters may appear villainous at first glance. One such character is Choi Jong-In, who goes by the titles “Ultimate Soldier of Korea” and “Master of the Hunters Guild”. While his anime counterpart might not give off a villainous aura, the version in the comic book is portrayed more sinisterly. This allows new readers to perceive him as an antagonist in “Solo Leveling“.

In Korea, Choi Jong-In was recognized as one of the most influential and formidable S-rank hunters, possibly even the strongest, before Sung Jin-Woo came into prominence. Many hunters admire him greatly, earning him a high level of respect among his peers, making him one of the most esteemed guild masters in the country. As suggested by his nickname in the series, Choi Jong-In’s capabilities make him an incredibly powerful weapon against the enigmatic beasts that emerge from the mysterious portals.

Why Does Choi Jong-In Look Like a Villain?

Choi Jong-In’s Villainous Character Design

The “Solo Leveling” anime might have softened Choi Jong-In’s imposing and menacing aspects, but his depiction in the comic book is remarkably similar to some of the most captivating villains in anime, such as Sosuke Aizen from “Bleach”, Hisoka Morow from “Hunter x Hunter”, and even Shogo Makishima from “Psycho-Pass”. His distinctive facial features, coupled with his piercing and intense gaze, project a sinister presence rather than a heroic one whenever he enters the scene or engages in combat.

“I’m not a huge fan of a room being too bright.”—Choi Jong-In

Further, Choi Jong-In’s smile carries a hint of mischief, suggesting a sinister intent towards other characters in the series. His attire, complete with a cape and glasses, is stereotypically villainous, leading viewers to easily assume him as the antagonist at first glance. To top it off, he exudes an icy demeanor that only serves to strengthen his mysterious and shady aura. The majority of the time, he also projects an authoritative air, remaining composed and poised under pressure, as one would expect from a guild master and the strongest soldier in the nation.

Choi Jong-In’s Fire Magic Is a Classic Villain Power

It’s quite frequent for anime characters who control and summon flames to end up being antagonists. Characters like Feitan from “Hunter x Hunter”, Dabi from “My Hero Academia”, and even Madara Uchiha from “Naruto” serve as examples of this trend. This is because fire is often linked with chaos and devastation, and many characters utilize it to exploit others or cause harm in their lives. Given that Choi Jong-In is a user of fire magic, it’s not far-fetched to imagine him becoming another villain who uses his power to create conflict for the main character.

Choi Jong-In’s Short Rivalry with Sung Jin-Woo

Prior to Choi Jong-In discovering Jin-Woo’s exceptional talents, he perceives him as a potential rival in power. Although Jong-In was among those guild masters who encouraged Jin-Woo to join the Hunters Guild, there is undeniably an undercurrent of tension between them. From Jin-Woo’s perspective, Jong-In appears to be manipulative, self-centered, and boasting a large ego. It’s worth noting that Jong-In holds the title of Korea’s top soldier.

Initially, much like how Jin-Woo is suspicious towards Baek Yoon-Ho of the White Tiger Guild, he also harbors similar doubts about Choi Jong-In and his real motives. Given that Jong-In exhibits a dominant and authoritative demeanor, it’s possible that Jin-Woo thinks it’s prudent to maintain a cautious distance from him.

The last occasion I interacted with ants was back when I was just a young lad. I recall distinctly the soft crackling sounds that echoed whenever I burned an ant using a lighter. Nowadays, it seems I’m hearing similar sounds to those of fireworks.

This section contains spoilers from the Solo Leveling manhwa.

So, Is Choi Jong-In an Actual Villain?

Did He Ever Betray Sung Jin-Woo?

In the series Solo Leveling, although Choi Jong-In seems to fit all the traits of a villain, he isn’t one in reality. To the contrary, earlier impressions about his character prove incorrect as Choi Jong-In stands on the side of good, battling magical beasts and progressively clearing gates. Unlike stereotypical villains in other anime, Choi Jong-In has never intentionally harmed Jin-Woo or undermined his reputation, nor has he ever attempted to ambush him.

In essence, Choi Joing-In joined Jin-Woo’s network of supporters, alongside Cha Hae-In and Chairman Go Gun-Hee. His determination to aid Jin-Woo grew significantly following the fourth raid on Jeju Island. He felt deeply indebted to Jin-Woo for saving his life, and he sought a means to reciprocate this favor. During the Double Dungeon storyline, Choi Jong-In personally visited the Cartenon Temple to offer support to Jin-Woo.

“A storm is on its way.”—Choi Jong-In

Beyond his responsibilities, Choi Jong-In acknowledges Jin-Woo’s abilities as surpassing his own. He never harbored feelings of insecurity or jealousy regarding Jin-Woo’s reputation, despite being known as the ultimate soldier. Just like Liu Zhigang from China, who isn’t shy about accepting reality, he recognizes the power difference between them.

To summarize, although Choi Jong-In appears as a villain externally in the world of Solo Leveling, beneath that facade lies a team player who has come to appreciate Jin-Woo and the power he wields. Regrettably for those hoping for Jong-In’s transformation into a dark character, he will remain loyal to his fellow hunters throughout the storyline.

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2025-04-30 17:10