Summary
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Lee Joo-Hee and Cha Hae-In are the cream of the crop when it comes to female hunters inSolo Leveling. They are standout characters not just because of their connection with Jin-Woo but also because of their significant roles in the story. As a result, many fans compare the two women, highlighting their differences along with their strengths and weaknesses in various aspects.
As the plot unfolds inSolo Leveling, Lee Joo-Hee and Cha Hae-In pursue different paths, leading to more discourse about who’s better between these characters. To this day, fans continue to rally behind them, arguingwhy Cha Hae-In is the best girlor the other way around. Although Joo-Hee and Hae-In are night and day, they surprisingly share a few similarities as well.
Hunter Rank and Type
Two Female Hunters With Different Strengths
While Lee Joo-Hee is a timid B-rank healer who prefers joining low-level dungeon raids, Cha Hae-In is renowned as an S-rank hunter who takes on high-level dungeons. From the get-go, it’s clear that Cha Hae-In holds the upper hand when it comes to strength. Her mastery of the sword makes her one of thestrongest hunters in Korea, admired and respected by her guildmates and fellow S-rank hunters.
“I don’t want an apology. I’m worried about you."—Lee Joo-Hee to Sung Jin-Woo
Meanwhile, Joo-Hee is a valuable hunter with healing and support magic. With so fewhigh-level healers in Korea, her presence in a raid party is a game-changer. Though she isn’t like Hae-In, who specializes in frontline combat, her abilities are essential to a lot of hunters, including the likes of Jin-Woo. However, Joo-Hee is vulnerable without protection, whereas Hae-In is almost a one-woman army.
Personality and Demeanor
The Gentle Healer vs. The Quiet Blade
In the first episode ofSolo Leveling, Joo-Hee shines in the strike team due to her kind and warm personality. She is approachable and welcoming, though she can also be sensitive and reluctant. As a healer, she is deeply empathetic, showing genuine concern for her peers, especially Jin-Woo. However, during times of crisis, Joo-Hee can easily be overwhelmed by fear and panic, visibly shaken, and struggles to compose herself.
“Out of all the hunters I’ve met, he’s the first person that smelled nice."—Cha Hae-In to Sung Jin-Woo
On the contrary, Cha Hae-In has an aloof and cold personality, mostly due to her ability to perceive mana through her sense of smell, which makes it difficult for her to be around others. She is well-disciplined and has a strong sense of duty as theVice Master of the Hunters Guild. When under pressure, Hae-In is calm and resolute, driven by a strong will to overcome challenges. Funny, she can also be awkward at times, confused by her feelings towards other people.
Relationship With Sung Jin-Woo
Their Emotional Ties to Jin-Woo
Jin-Woo attracts Cha Hae-In’s attentionwith his unique scent. It’s not repulsive like the other hunters, fueling Hae-In’s curiosity to know Jin-Woo more. As she witnesses Jin-Woo’s rise to power, the more she wants to fight by his side on the battlefield. Like any girl with a secret crush, Hae-In has her awkward moments, often blushing from Jin-Woo’s actions that are a little too close for comfort.
Joo-Hee, on the other hand, has known Jin-Woo since his days as an E-rank hunter. She’s one of his close friends, supporting him in his struggles early in the series. They are good friends who can relate to each other, but it becomes clear that Joo-Hee begins to harbor feelings for him until the double dungeon incident.
Unlike Cha Hae-In, who wants to stay by Jin-Woo’s side and face every challenge head-on, Joo-Hee backs down,distancing herself from Jin-Wooand the true horrors of the dungeon. Instead of Joo-Hee developing romantic feelings for Jin-Woo, Cha Hae-In becomes the main love interest.
“How could I ever tell him.. I want you by my side until I draw my last breath."—Cha Hae-In
All in all, Joo-Hee plays a short yet significant role inSolo Leveling, unlike Cha Hae-In, who many know by now has extended her role toSolo Leveling: Ragnarok. While Joo-Hee is relevant only in the first few story arcs of the series, it is Hae-In who sees through Jin-Woo’s journey to the end of the webtoon.
Since Joo-Hee can’t keep up with Jin-Woo’s rapid growth, it’s only natural thatSolo Levelingpushes her to the sidelines, making way for Cha Hae-In, who can. With her strength and determination, Cha Hae-In replaces Joo-Hee as one ofSung Jin-Woo’s best friends, helping to keep his humanity grounded as he ascends to greater power.
