Overview
- Go Gun-Hee, once celebrated as the most powerful S-Rank hunter in Korea, has stepped back from his active role due to age-related health concerns.
- Despite his physical limitations, he continues to play a significant role as the chairman of the Hunter’s Association, ensuring the safety and regulation of hunter activities.
In the challenging world of Solo Leveling, life is tough for hunters. For Go Gun-Hee, however, the struggle is even more pronounced; he finds himself as a mere spectator as a new generation of fighters takes to the battlefield. Age and deteriorating health have robbed him of his former glory, yet he remains haunted by the thought that he could have wreaked havoc on the monsters emerging from the Gates, particularly during the decisive battle for Jeju Island against the relentless ant foes.
Uniquely distinguished among hunters, Go Gun-Hee is notable not only for his past as Korea’s strongest hunter but also for his unexpected retirement. Despite his imposing physique and formidable presence, this influential chairman is over 80 years old, grappling with the reality of his declining vitality as he contemplates his mortality. The days of invincibility are long gone, and the specter of aging looms over him.
Go Gun-Hee’s Glory Days
Korea’s Former Strongest S-Rank Hunter
During his prime, Go Gun-Hee earned accolades as Korea’s top S-Rank hunter, with nicknames like ‘The Sky Above the Skies’ highlighting his unparalleled prowess. He inspired many, including the formidable Sung Jin-Woo, who respects his past feats and still recognizes the power he possesses. Although his ambition to continue hunting burns brightly, his aging body makes it increasingly difficult to pursue his passion, leading to the bittersweet necessity of retirement.
Despite stepping back from the physical act of hunting, Go Gun-Hee finds redemption in taking on the mantle of chairman for the Hunter’s Association in Korea. This role enables him to oversee hunter operations, monitor Gate activities, and engage in international hunter diplomacy—making his contributions invaluable and irreplaceable in the eyes of many.
“I’ve always wanted to fight alongside young hunters like yourself.” — Go Gun-Hee to Sung Jin-Woo
Even as age takes its toll, Go Gun-Hee retains a fighting spirit. Any ordinary hunter would think twice before challenging him. Yet, those who are S-Rank or possess extraordinary powers, like Sung Jin-Woo, are on a different playing field altogether.
This section contains spoilers from the Solo Leveling manhwa.
The Condition of Go Gun-Hee’s Heart
Even S-Rank Hunters Have Limits
Go Gun-Hee’s age isn’t the only issue at hand—his heart condition is another serious concern that troubles both him and those close to him. His heart has been in distress, beating erratically and frequently, signaling the impending limits of his endurance. Despite the medical attention and various remedies suggested by doctors, conventional healing approaches fail him, leaving him trapped in a cycle of health decline and forced to confront retirement.
“You’ve come for me, thank you very much.” — Go Gun-Hee to Sung Jin-Woo
Despite recommendations for him to resign for the sake of his health, Go Gun-Hee refuses to relinquish his responsibilities. Medical professionals caution that continuing his duties could risk his life, yet he feels compelled to remain in the fight. Even two years after the warnings, while Gun-Hee still persists, he is acutely aware of his deteriorating condition.
Did Gun-Hee’s Heart Stop Beating?
His Fate Revealed
Tragically, Gun-Hee meets a heartbreaking end in the original timeline of Solo Leveling. His body ultimately succumbs to inescapable injuries inflicted by a formidable Monarch seeking his destruction. Had the Monarch not entangled Gun-Hee’s office in a dimensional fracture, perhaps Sung Jin-Woo could have sensed the danger sooner, allowing him to intervene in time. During their confrontation, the Monarch derides Gun-Hee’s frail state, hinting that his body was merely a fragile shell doomed to collapse.
Though Sung Jin-Woo intervenes, it is too late to reverse the damage done; neither potions nor healing spells yield any results. Even the Elixir of Life, which could have provided miraculous restoration, is ultimately rejected by Gun-Hee, who has accepted his fate. He realizes that the sole reason his heart continues to beat is a chance encounter with a hunter like Jin-Woo. In the following days, news of his passing circulates, revealing that he succumbed to a heart injury.
“Please remain on the side of humans.” — Go Gun-Hee to Sung Jin-Woo
Ultimately, Go Gun-Hee’s narrative illustrates that being S-Rank does not exempt him from the vulnerabilities of mortal existence; his body, once a vessel of immense power, can no longer support the abilities he once wielded with ease. Yet, his impact endures in the consciousness of hunters like Woo Jin-Chul and Sung Jin-Woo, who mirror his unyielding dedication to world protection.