On January 22, 2025, the announcement of a live-action adaptation of Solo Leveling stirred excitement among fans. However, updates regarding the casting and production staff remain scarce. During this waiting period, fan speculation regarding potential cast members has taken off, with many suggestions originating from Korean media. Among these, one intriguing fan casting has stood out, potentially offering a multi-dimensional appeal.
The English dub voice of the series protagonist, Sung Jinwoo, is brought to life by Aleks Lee. Demonstrating an impressive commitment to his role, Aleks has not only engaged with fans but has also maintained a physical appearance that aligns well with the character’s depiction in the anime. This has led fans to propose a compelling idea: casting Aleks Lee as Jinwoo in the live-action adaptation, effectively merging his voice talent with a live portrayal of the character.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the writer.
Fan Enthusiasm for Aleks Lee as Sung Jinwoo
Aleks Martin Lee, a Vietnamese-American voice actor, began his career in gaming with the role of Male Hoyoung in MapleStory. He launched into anime voice acting in 2012 with Kuroko’s Basketball, where he voiced multiple characters, including the notable Seijuurou Akashi. His talent for adapting his voice made him a sought-after actor, landing roles in popular series such as Demon Slayer (Zenitsu Agatsuma), Vinland Saga (Thorfinn), Rent-a-Girlfriend (Kazuya), Eighty-Six (Shinei Nouzen), Mashle (Mash Burnedead), and Dandadan (Enjoji Jin).
In addition to being recognized for his vocal versatility, Aleks’s resemblance to Jinwoo has captured attention. His growing enthusiasm for the character further fueled fan advocacy for his casting in the upcoming live-action project.
Fan Reactions and Community Sentiment
The fan community widely agrees that Aleks Lee would be an ideal choice to portray Sung Jinwoo. Many have remarked on the striking similarity between Aleks and the anime character, asserting that his voice acting significantly enhances the portrayal of Jinwoo in the series.
Comments from fans highlight this striking resemblance, with some asserting that Aleks’s looks might overshadow the original artwork of Jinwoo, noting that a simple hairstyle change could transform him into the perfect live-action counterpart.
“I see no difference,”a fan commented.
“The dub is so f*cking good too just watch the show twice, once in English and once in Japanese,”another fan remarked.
“Dang, he looks better than the art,”a fan observed.
“Different haircut and he’ll nail the cosplay,”another contributor suggested.
Conclusion: A Complex Challenge Ahead
The live-action adaptation of Solo Leveling, produced by Kakao Production—a South Korean company—implies that actors fluent in Korean are preferred for the roles. Aleks Lee has not indicated any proficiency in Korean, which may hinder his chances of being cast as Sung Jinwoo in the live-action version. Despite the enthusiastic support from fans, language barriers could play a significant role in casting decisions.