The Solo Leveling anime has thus far depicted a limited number of human fatalities caused by its protagonist, Sung Jin-Woo. Although he frequently engages in fierce battles, the instances where he takes human lives are relatively rare and largely occur in self-defense against formidable adversaries who pose a direct threat to him.
Each individual killed by Sung Jin-Woo was a skilled Hunter in their own right, which amplifies the significance of his victories. Several of these encounters represent crucial moments in his quest to reach unparalleled strength. It is essential to note that the following account is presented in chronological order.
Disclaimer: Spoilers for the series are included in this list, which is organized chronologically.
Chronological Overview of Human Fatalities by Sung Jin-Woo in the Solo Leveling Anime
1. Hwang Dongsuk and his eight Hunters (Season 1, Episode 6)
This pivotal event marks the beginning of Sung Jin-Woo’s evolution from a struggling Hunter to a formidable force. Accompanied by his companion Jin-Ho, he ventures into a dungeon only to be betrayed by Hwang Dongsuk and his cohort, who abandon them to claim the rewards for themselves.
Underestimating Jin-Woo’s capabilities, Dongsuk fails to foresee his connection to the System. Jin-Woo rapidly deals with the dungeon’s menacing creatures, including the boss. This success triggers an emergency quest from the System that compels him to eliminate Dongsuk and his team, representing the inaugural incident of human fatalities in the series.
2. Kang Taeshik and a surviving rehabilitator (Season 1, Episode 9)
Subsequent to the confrontation with Hwang Dongsuk, Jin-Woo participates in another dungeon raid alongside familiar allies and the newcomer Kang Taeshik, an inspector from the Hunter’s Association, whose presence creates tension early on.
The storyline ultimately leads Jin-Woo to realize that he must kill Taeshik, culminating in what stands out as one of his most challenging battles thus far. After this encounter, he also eliminates a surviving rehabilitator, placing him in the lair of the Dungeon boss due to his complicity in Taeshik’s schemes.
3. Kim Chul (Season 2, Episode 2)
In the second season, Jin-Woo encounters Kim Chul, a solo A-Rank Hunter from the White Tiger Guild during the Red Gate arc. A misunderstanding sparks a confrontation, as Kim Chul attacks Jin-Woo amidst a fierce battle against the boss, Baruka, assisted by one of his Shadows, Igris. Unfortunately for Kim Chul, this results in his demise, after which Jin-Woo revives him as one of his Shadows, dubbed Iron.
Final Reflections
The human lives Sung Jin-Woo has claimed throughout the Solo Leveling anime were primarily a matter of self-defense. These clashes serve to underscore the lengths to which some Hunters will go to attain their objectives during dungeon raids, while simultaneously highlighting Jin-Woo’s intensified resolve and ruthless demeanor as he rises to power.