Queens of the Dungeon: The Women of Solo Leveling
Erik M.
I would like to take this time to talk about a series that has garnered a massive fan base for its story, cultural references, and its characters. I am referring to the series Solo Leveling, but more specifically, its female characters.
Background
For those who are unfamiliar with Solo Leveling, the general plot is that gates appeared 10 years prior to the beginning of the story. These gates connect our world to a world filled with monsters, essentially making the world of Solo Leveling a real-life RPG. Normal weapons have no effect on these creatures, so a special group called Hunters—working either as independent contractors or working in guilds—are the only ones who can fight them.
SideNote: Hunters are divided into six special classes: Assassins, Tanks, Fighters, Mages, Rangers, and Healers. Like any RPG, they also have a ranking system from S to E, with S rank being the strongest.
Here’s the twist: once a hunter’s power is awakened, their rank is fixed—unless they experience a rare reawakening, like the main character, Sung Jin-woo. And While Sung Jin-woo’s journey is undeniably epic in the series, there are a few women who have shaped his path—his devoted mom, strong-willed sister, and some of the fierce female and up-and-coming hunters that he has encountered along the way. Here, their presence isn’t just background noise; they play pivotal roles in driving his motivations and growth.
Park Kyung-hye
She is Sung Jin-woo’s mother, and the other major reason Jin-woo became a hunter. Four years prior to the beginning, she suffered from the disease, eternal slumber and fell into a coma. Her medical bills were a driving factor in why her son took on these dangerous quests. Shortly after his reawakening, Jin-woo learned of the Elixir of Life—an item that could cure her illness. It also became Jin-woo’s main goal during the first two seasons.
After he revived her from her coma, Jin-woo showed a wave of happiness; holding back tears—undoubtedly making it one of the most emotionally powerful moments in the series. Besides the obvious point that she is one of the few mothers in a Shonen series who is alive, she is also a selfless and caring woman, as she puts the well-being of her family above everything else. She represents the power a mother can have on her children and serves as a reminder that there is no greater power in the world than the love between a parent and child.
Sung Jin-ah
Sung is Jin-woo’s sister and one of the reasons he became a hunter. In order to pay for her tuition, Jin-woo willingly takes on dangerous quests so she doesn’t have to work or drop out. Since both of their parents are unable to take care of them, Jin-woo acts as both her big brother and parent. She loves her brother dearly, and despite his low rank, she is very proud of him as a hunter. Her cheerful personality serves as a constant reminder for Jin-woo to never lose hope and always keep smiling. In addition, she works very hard to earn top marks so she can eventually look after him as a token of appreciation for everything he does for her. In true sibling love, they both motivate each other, and they would do anything for each other’s well-being
Lee Joohee
Lee is Sung Jin-woo’s friend and one of the few people who doesn’t look down on him for being the weakest hunter in the beginning. She is a B-rank hunter who specializes in healing. Despite being a B-rank, she would rather accompany Jin-woo on his raids and be his support system, encouraging him to succeed. She fills the role of the supportive friend, but at the same time, she doesn’t hold back her words when she reprimands him for being reckless. She is an ideal friend and is a major influence on how Jin-woo goes about protecting those around him.
Han Song-Yi
A fellow E-rank Hunter, she serves as a direct reminder of the kind of person Jin-woo was before his reawakening. Similar to Jin-woo, she is willing to work harder than anyone to reach her goals. After meeting Jin-woo, they developed a mentor-student relationship. Her character, much like Jin-woo, is a direct representation that one’s rank does not determine one’s worth. Her contribution to Jin-woo serves as a daily reminder to always stay humble and never become arrogant about his newfound power.
Cha Hae-In
The strongest female character, Cha Hae-In, is beautiful, smart, and a powerful fighter-type S-Rank Hunter. As an S- rank hunter and guild master, she represents the golden rule that women are just as capable as any male protagonist to be in a position of leadership and authority. This is proven when the Ant King considers her to be the most dangerous Hunter during the Jeju Island Raid.
She’s not just powerful—she’s precise and lethal with her movements being fluid and mesmerizing, blurring the line between combat and choreography. They call her the “Dancer,” not out of admiration, but because her fighting ability is like watching death itself performing with grace.
Final Thoughts
Behind every great anime protagonist is a powerful support system—and in Solo Leveling, that system is filled with remarkable women. From Sung Jin-woo’s mother and sister to the hunters he bonds with, these women serve not only as his motivation but as key figures who shape his journey. As for Solo Leveling, it isn’t just an action-packed series—it’s a game-changer in how female characters are portrayed, pushing past fan service giving us powerful women who are fighting, healing and leading.
