Summary
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InSolo Leveling, particularly in the manhwa, a few characters look like villains on the surface. One such character is Choi Jong-In, otherwise known as the Ultimate Soldier of Korea and Master of the Hunters Guild. Unlike in the anime, the manhwa version of Choi Jong-In exudes a much more villainous vibe, allowing new readers to see him as one of the bad guys inSolo Leveling.
Choi Jong-In was one of the most powerful, if not the strongest, S-rank hunters before Sung Jin-Woo stepped into the spotlight in Korea. A lot of hunters look up to him, making him one of themost respected guild mastersin the nation. True to his epithet in the series, Choi Jong-In’s abilities can be an explosive weapon against the magical beasts emerging from the mysterious Gates.
Why Does Choi Jong-In Look Like a Villain?
Choi Jong-In’s Villainous Character Design
TheSolo Levelinganime may have toned down Choi Jong-In’s sharp and intimidating features, but his visuals in the manhwa undeniably align with some ofthe coolest anime villains, such as Sosuke Aizen ofBleach, Hisoka Morow ofHunter x Hunter, and even Shogo Makishima ofPsycho-Pass. His well-defined facial structure, in addition to his sharp and intense eyes, exudes a villainous aura rather than a heroic one whenever he makes an appearance or fights on the battlefield.
“I’m not a huge fan of a room being too bright."—Choi Jong-In
Moreover, Choi Jong-In’s smile also leans toward the antagonistic side, as if he’s always plotting something evil against the other characters in the series. His outfit, in addition to the cape and eyeglasses, is textbook villainy, making it understandable how anyone might initially mistake him for a villain. Not to mention, he also has a cold and aloof personality that adds to his shady vibes. Most of the time, he also maintains an authoritative presence, appearing calm and collected under pressure,as expected of a guild masterand the strongest soldier in the nation.
Choi Jong-In’s Fire Magic Is a Classic Villain Power
It’s not uncommon foranime characters who can manipulate and manifest fireto turn out to be villains. There’s Feitan fromHunter x Hunter, Dabi fromMy Hero Academia, and even Madara Uchiha fromNaruto. After all, fire has often been associated with chaos and destruction, with many characters using the element to take advantage of others or ruin their lives. And because Choi Jong-In is a fire magic user, it’s not impossible to see him as yet another villain who can use fire to antagonize the main character.
Choi Jong-In’s Short Rivalry with Sung Jin-Woo
Before Choi Jong-In learns about Jin-Woo’s true abilities, he somehow sees him as a rival in power. Even though Jong-In was one of the guild masters who wantedJin-Woo to join the Hunters Guild, it’s obvious that there’s tension between the two characters. For Jin-Woo, Jong-In somehow comes off as someone who’s manipulative, narcissistic, and has a huge ego. He is, after all, the ultimate soldier of Korea.
Similar to how Jin-Woo initially treatsBaek Yoon-Ho of the White Tiger Guild, he also has a lot of doubts about Choi Jong-In and his true intentions. A commanding and authoritative man like Jong-In may not be trustworthy, so Jin-Woo likely believes it’s best to keep a distance from him.
“The last time I played with ants was when I was a little boy. I remember hearing faint snapping noises every time I torched an ant with a lighter. Now, I hear fireworks."—Choi Jong-In
So, Is Choi Jong-In an Actual Villain?
Did He Ever Betray Sung Jin-Woo?
While Choi Jong-In somehow ticks all the boxes to pass as a villain, he’s not an actual one inSolo Leveling. Contrary to initial assumptions about his character, Choi Jong-In remains on the good side, fighting against the magical beasts and clearing gates one after another. He never did anything wrong to Jin-Woo, like damaging his reputation or ambushing him, which are actions that typical villains do in other anime.
In fact, Choi Joing-In became part ofJin-Woo’s support system, in addition to Cha Hae-In and Chairman Go Gun-Hee. His resolve to support Jin-Woo intensifies, especially after the fourth Jeju Island raid. He felt that he owed Jin-Woo a lot for saving his life, so he thought of a way to return the favor. And during the Double Dungeon story arc, Choi Jong-In personally comes into the Cartenon Temple to support Jin-Woo.
“A storm is on its way."—Choi Jong-In
His role did not end there, though, as Choi Jong-In fully accepts Jin-Woo’s abilities as superior to his. He never felt any insecurity or jealousy toward Jin-Woo’s status, even though people still called him the ultimate soldier. He understands the gap in their power, much like China’s Liu Zhigang, who isn’t afraid to embrace the truth.
In conclusion, Choi Jong-In only looks like a villain on the surface, but in reality, he’s a good team player who has grown to respect Jin-Woo and the power he holds. Unfortunately for fans who want Jong-In to embrace the dark side, he will never turn his back against his fellow hunters inSolo Leveling.
