The second season of Solo Leveling is currently captivating audiences, particularly with the striking entrance of Sung Il-Hwan. Fans were left astonished as he effortlessly took down multiple A-Class hunters, reminiscent of swatting flies.
His astonishing claim of surviving an entire decade in a dungeon has not only mystified fans but has also posed a dilemma for the American Federal Bureau of Hunters.
This article dives into the intriguing backstory of this formidable character and his connection to Jinwoo, offering insights that will satisfy your curiosity.
1. The Identity of Jinwoo’s Father in Solo Leveling
Sung Il-Hwan, recognized as Korea’s first S-Rank Hunter, is revealed to be Jinwoo’s father. Prior to his hunter days, he served as a firefighter.
As the gates began to emerge, Il-Hwan transitioned to hunting to support his family, which included his partner, Park Kyung-Hye, along with their children, Jinwoo and Jinnah. Regrettably, he ventured into this perilous world before the establishment of a hunters’ association, leaving him uncompensated for his dangerous expeditions in dungeons.
2. Examining Sung Il-Hwan’s Strength
As an S-Rank Hunter, Sung Il-Hwan’s prowess is unparalleled among his peers, arguably making him the second most powerful hunter, just behind his son, Jinwoo.
1. Physical Abilities
- Exceptionally Strong: Il-Hwan’s physical strength is extraordinary. This was starkly illustrated during his match against Hwang Dongsoo, where he dealt a blow that left Dongsoo incapacitated for months.
- Incredible Speed: He boasts remarkable speed, allowing him to evade assaults deftly. This agility was showcased during his evasive maneuvers against simultaneous attacks from Sillad and Rakan.
2. Magical Abilities
- Ruler’s Authority: This unique telekinetic ability enables him to manipulate objects simply through thought.
- Stealth Expert: Il-Hwan excels in stealth techniques, capable of moving without detection and eliminating traces of his presence, akin to an enhanced invisibility cloak.
- Spiritual Body Manifestation: This skill allows him to reveal his true form as a ruler, unlocking his full range of abilities.
3. The Disappearance of Sung Il-Hwan
Sung Il-Hwan vanished ten years prior to the current events in Solo Leveling when he became trapped in a dungeon during a raid. As enduring survival in such conditions is virtually impossible, his family presumed him dead.
Contrary to this assumption, Il-Hwan was discovered by the rulers when he was near death from starvation. Much like Jinwoo’s own extraordinary experience, the rulers turned him into their vessel, empowering him to confront the soon-to-emerge New Shadow Monarch.
4. The Possibility of a Reunion between Jinwoo and His Father
A long-awaited reunion between Jinwoo and Sung Il-Hwan is anticipated during the Monarch War Arc, as Il-Hwan returns to Earth to confront the new Shadow Monarch.
The rulers utilized a portal to bring Il-Hwan back from his decade-long absence. However, his fearsome appearance led a group of A-rank hunters to mistake him for a monster, spawning a confrontation that ended with him defeating them easily.
Subsequently, he was apprehended by the Federal Bureau of Hunters, who dispatched Hwang Dongsoo for interrogation due to the unprecedented nature of his return. Miscommunication due to his appearance and language barrier led them to suspect him to be a non-human entity.
During the interrogation, tension boiled over, and an intense showdown ensued between Il-Hwan and Dongsoo, where Il-Hwan seriously injured the seasoned S-rank hunter.
5. The Dilemma: Will Sung Il-Hwan Harm Jinwoo?
In a shocking twist, Il-Hwan discovers that the target he was meant to assassinate—the Shadow Monarch—is none other than his son, Jinwoo.
Realizing this unbearable truth, he couldn’t go through with the assassination. Thankfully, the rulers reevaluated their intentions when they recognized Jinwoo as an ally after he defeated Legia, the Monarch of the Beginning.
6. Does Sung Il-Hwan Meet His Demise?
During the Monarchs War Arc, Il-Hwan ultimately sacrifices himself while defending Jinwoo, perishing in a fiery blaze. However, he finds resurrection in Jinwoo’s alternate timeline created with the Cup of Reincarnation during the Epilogue.
In the original timeline, Il-Hwan intervenes just as Querehsha, the Monarch of Plagues, and Rakan, the Monarch of Fangs, are poised to eliminate Jinwoo. His powerful kick sends Rakan flying into Sillad, the Monarch of Frost, conducing a massive collision.
Faced with overwhelming odds, Il-Hwan demonstrates his strength, overpowering the three monarchs until Sillad’s ice storm injures him. Then, Sillad conjures a colossal ice meteorite aimed at terminating both Jinwoo and Il-Hwan. Fortunately, Beru shatters it, allowing Jinwoo to engage the monarchs while Il-Hwan seeks shelter.
As his strength wanes, Il-Hwan realizes he’s reaching his limits, leading to his eventual disintegration. Jinwoo arrives just in time, and Il-Hwan recounts his experiences from his lengthy absence before dissipating into light.
In the Epilogue, Jinwoo employs the Cup of Reincarnation to construct a reality where humans never entered dungeons, effectively preserving Il-Hwan’s identity as a firefighter and enabling his revival.
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