Solo Leveling: Does Hwang Dongsoo die?

Solo Leveling revolves around a world threatened by monsters emerging from interdimensional gates and dungeons. In this dire situation, humanity’s only hope lies in the Hunters, special individuals blessed with supernatural powers. However, these Hunters are not always honorable saviors and can often become antagonists themselves.

The best example of this is Hwang Dongsoo, a hated figure in the series whose battle with the protagonist was foreshadowed for a long time. However, when they finally fought, the confrontation was short and immensely satisfying. Yes, Hwang Dongsoo does die in Solo Leveling and is later turned into one of Jinwoo’s shadows.

Hwang Dongsoo is an S-Rank Hunter who betrayed Korea to join America’s Scavenger Guild in pursuit of greater power. Despite having distanced himself from his home country, he was forced to return after the death of his brother, the evil Hwang Dongsuk.

Suspecting either Jinwoo or Jinho, who were with Dongsuk at the time of his death, Dongsoo had been looking for the right opportunity to get his revenge. However, when he finally went to Korea, Dongsoo was welcomed by Woo Jinchuland discovered that Jinwoo was trapped inside a Red Gate. Believing the protagonist’s fate was sealed, he returned to America.

Dongsoo’s run-ins with Jinwoo’s bloodline only intensified from that point, as he was chosen to interrogate Sung Il-Hwan, Jinwoo’s father, after he was found inside a gate. During their conversation, Dongsoo took great pleasure in antagonizing Il-Hwan and even informed him of his son’s supposed death. In response, Il-Hwan brutally beat him, destroying the entire building in the process.

However, Dongsoo did not die, as he was still a sturdy S-Rank Hunter. During the Jeju Island Arc, Dongsoo discovered Jinwoo was still alive and wished to return to Korea, only to be denied entry. As a result, what was meant to be an easy quest for revenge was constantly delayed. Dongsoo finally got his opportunity in International Guild Conference Arc, but was served with a harsh dose of reality.

After Jinwoo had become a National Level Hunter in Korea, he was invited to take part in a guild conference in America. Knowing of Dongsoo’s grudge against Jinwoo, Thomas Andre, the Scavenger Guild’s leader, strictly told his subordinate not to confront him. Though Dongsoo appeared to obey, he set in motion a series of events that would lead to his own downfall.

While Jinwoo was busy at the conference, Dongsoo kidnapped Yoo Jinho, who had accompanied the protagonist. He took Jinho to an abandoned factory and ruthlessly beat him. Sensing something amiss, Jinwoo quickly tracked Jinho through his shadows and confronted Dongsoo.

Unable to comprehend his opponent’s overwhelming strength, Dongsoo attempted to attack Jinwoo—and was completely demolished. Just as Jinwoo was preparing to kill him, Thomas Andre intervened and asked the protagonist to spare his follower. Jinwoo refused, which led to an electrifying fight between him and America’s top Hunter.

In the end, Jinwoo and his shadow powers emerged victorious, leaving Thomas at his mercy. Amid the chaos, Jinwoo killed Dongsoo and took his shadow, naming him Greed. While Dongsoo was killed in the original timeline, he reappeared once Jinwoo used the Cup of Reincarnation.

In the new world—with no Hunters or monsters—Dongsoo continued engaging in a life of crime with his brother, despite no longer possessing his previous powers.

Is Hwang Dongsoo weak in Solo Leveling?

It’s easy to assume Hwang Dongsoo is weak in Solo Leveling because he never wins a single fight throughout the entire series. He cowered in front of Thomas Andre and was easily beaten by both Jinwoo and his father. However, Dongsoo is far from weak—he is actually one of the strongest Hunters.

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He was upgraded by Norma Selner and possessed enhanced physicality. Dongsoo could also comfortably stand toe-to-toe with Baek Yoonho, an accomplished Korean S-Rank Hunter. Unfortunately, Dongsoo is an egoistic individual whose savagery often overrides his intellect.

As a result, even when faced with overwhelming odds, he is unable to recognize it—constantly overestimating his own abilities. Therefore, although he was one of the strongest humans in Solo Leveling, he was led to an early death.

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