Sometimes, Solo Leveling, especially the anime adaptation, places Jin-Woo in circumstances where fans can ship him with women. Jin-Woo’s main love interest is Cha Hae-In, with whom he has a special bond. Fans who feel Solo Leveling downplays their romance question their relationship’s legitimacy despite their connection.
Solo Leveling is known for its lack of romance. Instead, it follows Jin-Woo’s climb to dominance and his dramatic battles with magical monsters and superior beings. The series explores Jin-Woo’s familial and friend ties rather than his romantic life. Throughout the series, Jin-Woo doesn’t prioritize romance.
Slow-burning relationship
Due to a lack of obvious or customary growth, Cha Hae-In and Sung Jin-Woo’s romance may be the slowest. Jin-Woo’s fixation with power and leveling up makes it impossible for him to focus on non-essentials. Instead of Jin-Woo actively pursuing Cha Hae-In, the series places him in the middle of chaos, preventing romance.
Jin-Woo and Cha Hae-In are attracted from the start. Cha Hae-In finds Jin-Woo intriguing, while Jin-Woo remembers her radiant aura. Though brief, their first meeting sets the stage for their romance. Cha Hae-In carries their emotional connection, whereas Jin-Woo is emotionally aloof.
How can I tell him? Want you at my side until I die? —Cha Hae-In
Jin-Woo refuses to confess his affections for Cha Hae-In. The only romantic growth between them is when Jin-Woo invites her out as if they’re dating. The series mostly ignores Cha Hae-In while Jin-Woo fights the Monarchs to preserve the planet.
Subtle Signs of Their Relationship
Solo Leveling can be generous despite Jin-Woo and Cha Hae-In’s poor progress. Cha Hae-In, not the strongest hunter, provides subtle romantic signals. She gets safety and kindness from Jin-Woo, but it doesn’t matter because he cares for his friends and family, too.
In the Ahjin Guild arc, Cha Hae-In admits she likes Jin-Woo and defeats Igris and Beru to join his guild. Although impulsive, Jin-Woo was left with a lasting impact. When Yoo Jin-Ho’s female cousin joins the Ahjin Guild over her, Cha Hae-In becomes jealous. She wondered why Jin-Woo chose an A-rank hunter over her, an S-rank hunter.
Solo Leveling does not have romantic payoffs like grand confessions or gratifying kisses like other fantasy or shounen anime. After 27 years of warfare, Jin-Woo returns to humanity and starts his friendship with Cha Hae-In over again at the end of the webtoon. Unfortunately, they stayed friends until the webtoon ended, and fans never saw their adventure as they married and had a son.
Maybe Solo Leveling downplayed their romance.
Solo Leveling decreased Cha Hae-In and Jin-Woo’s romance. First, the series isn’t romance, thus the fast pacing doesn’t need to provide much room for romantic develops between the two protagonists. Given his priorities, Jin-Woo may view romance as a luxury he can’t afford. He lacks time to explore it.
However, Jin-Woo and Cha Hae-In have great chemistry. Solo Leveling has it, despite no evident changes. In a chaotic world where everyone is dying and survival of the fittest is the law, their love may not need to be loud or traditional. It may be enough for them to show love through stolen glances, conflicts, and silent understanding. Most fans are just glad they remain together.
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