Summary
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As Sung Jin-Woo rises to power inSolo Leveling, many hunters, regardless of whether they’re weak or strong, undeniably fade in the background. Due to Jin-Woo’s rapid growth and evolution, even S-rank hunters become increasingly irrelevant as more characters are introduced, and more lore is revealed. Unfortunately, this seems to be the price of pushing Jin-Woo on such an incredibly high pedestal in such a short time inSolo Leveling.
During the Jeju Ant raid, S-rank hunters from Korea were given a chance to show off their skills and abilities worthy of their level. In particular, Baek Yoon-Ho was a scene-stealer, as he transformed into his beastly form for the first time. Indeed, the leader of the White Tiger Guild was one of the standouts during the Jeju Island arc until he became less and less relevant in the plot. What exactly happened to Baek Yoon-Ho?
Baek Yoon-Ho’s Promising Debut
In the beginning, Baek Yoon-Ho was one of the most interesting characters inSolo Leveling. Everyone was curious whether he was an ally or a foe due to his strong features, intimidating aura, and commanding presence. Not to mention, he was anS-rank hunter and a guild master, feared and admired by both hunters and civilians. Also, at the time, there were little to no details about his unique abilities, especially in the webtoon, which made him a shady figure.
“I always believed that a single hero couldn’t end a war by himself. But after recent events, I’m starting to think that maybe I was wrong. Chin up, Mr. Sung. You were able to put an end to this tragedy."—Baek Yoon-Ho to Sung Jin-Woo
Noticeably, Baek Yoon-Ho was also present in some of the most important events in the earlystory arcs ofSolo Leveling. He was there during the Red Gate incident, the sparring session between the Japanese and Korean hunters, and, of course, the Jeju Ant Raid. He had a lot of exposure, from showing interest in Jin-Woo’s true character and abilities to fighting at his strongest form. And because of this, many fans thought he would have an important role in the later story arcs. Technically, he did, but only until the fourth raid.
Baek Yoon-Ho Struggles to Keep Up
There’s a Huge Difference in Strength
Unlike Jin-Woo, who has a reliable system to steer his growth andlevel up to over 100, Baek Yoon-Ho’s abilities are set in stone. By the time the Ant Raid was finished, it was painfully clear that there was a huge gap in Jin-Woo and Yoon-Ho’s strength, unlike the first time they met. To put it simply, the power scaling in Solo Leveling drastically shifted, leaving Baek Yoon-Ho behind, and so did most of the survivors of the raid.
“Why are they all so keen about Sung Jin-Woo?"—Baek Yoon-Ho to Sung Jin-Woo
Make no mistake though, Baek Yoon-Ho is still one of the strongest hunters in Korea. But if we compare him to Jin-Woo and even to Beru, the gap is laughably vast. Worse, superior beings like theRulers and the Monarchsappear, making it difficult for Baek Yoon-Ho to keep up. In a world where most characters could only get stronger through second awakening, being a player in the system, or seeking Norma Selner’s abilities, Yoon-Ho would always be left behind.
Baek Yoon-Ho Lacks Character Development
He Became Stagnant
Baek Yoon-Ho only has a supporting role inSolo Leveling. He stopped being relevantafter Min Byung-Gu diedon Jeju Island and the funeral was held. Since then, he has rarely made an appearance, as if he was avoiding contact with Jin-Woo and the rest of the hunters. Even the White Tiger Guild became irrelevant, overshadowed by Jin-Woo’s newly established guild. It’s almost as if he never existed, as the narrative narrows its focus to Jin-Woo and his new enemies.
Still, compared to Cha Hae-In, Choi Jong-In, Woo Jin-Chul, and Go Gun-Hee, Yoon-Ho failed to have a new layer to his character after the raid. Cha Hae-In and Go Gun-Heegot closer to Jin-Woo, Choi Jong-In helped Jin-Woo during the double dungeon, and Woo Jin-Chul assumed a different position. Sadly, Baek Yoon-Ho never received any of that opportunity, allowing the series to easily push him to the sidelines.
“The true nature of your ability is power over the dead!"—Baek Yoon-Ho to Sung Jin-Woo
His Actions Aren’t Significant Anymore
Unlike in the beginning, when Yoon-Ho’s comments and actions affect Jin-Woo, his role as a guild master and an S-rank hunter in the later story arcs is not significant anymore. In other words, his presence no longer influenced the outcome ofSung Jin-Woo’s major battlesand decisions at all. Honestly, fans would be lucky to spot him on the webtoon due to his rare appearance.
All in all, Baek Yoon-Ho peaked during the Jeju Ant raid, but his character failed to maintain its relevance inSolo Leveling. Without a personal conflict tied to the later story arcs, as well as a noteworthy contribution to the plot, Baek Yoon-Ho eventually lost his strong position in the series. It’s inevitable to happen as the story ofSolo Levelingshifts its focus on superior beings at war.
