Solo Leveling: Hunters Who Failed to Live Up to Their Potential

Solo Leveling is an exciting series that is often criticized for being hyper-focused on the protagonist and not giving enough screen time to other characters. Throughout the story, several interesting individuals from diverse backgrounds make their debuts, but they are often overshadowed by Jinwoo’s adventures.

Some of these characters also have a disappointing impact. Despite being ranked highly as hunters, they fail to leave a lasting impression on the viewers and are forgotten soon afterwards. Based on their background and impact, here are some of the hunters who did not live up to their potential.

Kim Chul

A Member of White Tiger Guild

• Webtoon Debut: Chapter 47

Unlike some of the other characters on the list, Kim Chul was not nearly as powerful. But despite being an A-ranker, he was considered strong enough to lead a raid party. Unfortunately, the gate they entered turned out to be a red gate and required at least an S-ranker to clear it.

While Kim Chul could have demonstrated a level-headed leadership by uniting hunters under his command, he made a horrible mistake of overestimating his powers and choosing to leave behind weaker hunters. One can excuse the strategic oversight, but Kim Chul’s greatest failure was in not realizing Sung Jinwoo’s true powers.

This is especially embarrassing since Park Heejin could easily tell he was extraordinary. Kim Chul, being a high-ranking member of the White Tiger Guild, needed to realize Jinwoo’s potential, and he could have saved his entire raid party.

Yuri Orloff

Russia’s Top S-ranker

Yuri Orloff was perhaps the best barrier-magic user in the world. His skill was so unique that he was always in demand and made a fortune for himself by exploiting opportunities that came his way.

While Orloff’s backstory made him seem like an accomplished hunter who always got the job done, he eventually did not live up to the hype when push came to shove. Yuri failed miserably when it mattered the most and suffered immensely because of it.

Lim Tae-Gyu

Korea’s Strongest Ranger-type Hunter

• ̌Webtoon Debut: Chapter 76

Lim Tae-Gyu was one of the few Korean hunters shortlisted for the Jeju Island raid. As the guild master of the Fiend Guild, he was expected to play a major role in the high-stakes mission. But Lim barely performed like a true S-ranker and struggled to make an impact.

Even before the raid, when the Korean and Japanese hunters were sparring, he lost to Hoshino Minoru. There was no point in the story where Tae-Gyu seemed to have an imposing aura, and it wouldn’t even be far-fetched to claim that he never truly justified his rank.

Ma Dongwook

Tanker-type Korean S-ranker

• Webtoon Debut: Chapter 90

Like Lim Tae-Gyu, Ma Dongwook failed to leave a lasting impression on the viewers. He was also an S-ranker but suffered an embarrassing defeat to Kenzo Tanaka before the Jeju Island raid. Dongwook’s impact during the raid was also underwhelming.

Since he leads the Fame Guild, it was expected that he would at least have impactful cameos on a few occasions, but Ma remained a sidelined character who barely fought any battle worth remembering.

Hwang Dongsoo

Korean S-ranker Who Moved to America

• Webtoon Debut: Chapter 24

Hwang Dongsoo was once rated as one of Korea’s best hunters. His talent was so extraordinary that he was offered a chance to upgrade, provided he moved to America. Dongsoo eventually ended up joining Thomas Andre’s Scavenger Guild. When he made his debut, Hwang seemed invincible. His presence alone made A-ranker Woo Jinchul nervous about Jinwoo’s safety.

But when Dongsoo had to fight for real, he seemed too ordinary. Sung Il-Hwan almost killed him in just a few seconds. It’s bizarre how overwhelmingly one-sided their battle was. Suddenly, it made Hwang seem not as extraordinary as he was initially portrayed.

Choi Jong-In

Leader of Korea’s Largest and Strongest Guild

• Webtoon Debut: Chapter 62

Choi Joing-In is Korea’s strongest mage-type hunter. He is also the guild master of the Hunters Guild and has played a crucial role in its success. Choi initially comes off as a calm and confident leader who can take the fight to an enemy when things go south.

However, this illusion of safety and reliability soon wears off as dangerous magic beasts unleash chaos in the human world. Choi’s fire magic is violent and explosive, but it is not as effective once his adversaries manage to close the distance and fight him. Despite being one of Korea’s most popular hunters, Jong-In does not truly shine throughout the series.

Goto Ryuji

Japan’s Best Met an Underwhelming End on Jeju Island

• Webtoon Debut: Chapter 85

Goto Ryuji was called the greatest Japanese hunter. He was arguably the second strongest hunter in Asia before Sung Jinwoo’s reawakening. During the Jeju Island arc, as Korea and Japan joined hands for the ambitious raid on the forsaken island, he was touted as an exceptional leader who would play a critical role in the mission.

Someone so experienced and powerful died a pathetic death when he crossed paths with the Ant King. Ryuji failed even to land a single blow on the hidden boss of Jeju Island. His underwhelming end was quite disappointing, considering how great he was hyped up to be. Goto’s death could have felt more acceptable had he made some impact on Jeju Island, but it was shocking that he barely achieved anything.