Solo Leveling grabbed eyes with its action sequences and Sung Jin-woo’s meteoric rise from weakest hunter to the Shadow Monarch. But beneath the monster-slaying and dungeon crawling beats a surprisingly human heart. Though romance takes a backseat to Jin-woo’s pursuit of power, several characters develop feelings for our stoic protagonist.

Some connections spring from respect for his strength. Others form through shared dangers in monster-filled dungeons. A few bloom from simple appreciation of Jin-woo’s transformed appearance. What makes these potential romances fascinating is how they are different aspects of Jin-woo himself: his growth, his priorities, and his evolving place in the world.

This ranking explores the women who developed feelings for Jin-woo and those the community ships him with. It analyzes their relationship dynamics, how their stories intersect with his, and why some connections resonate more than others with fans.

7 Sung Jinah

Let’s address the elephant in the room first: yes, some (not all) parts of the Solo Leveling community “ship” Jin-woo with his sister Jinah. This is entirely a meme. Their relationship is purely familial, with Jin-woo’s overprotective brother instincts sometimes reaching comical levels of intensity.

Jin-woo’s devotion to Jinah drives much of his early character motivation. His desperate dungeon diving despite being the “World’s Weakest Hunter” stems from needing money for his mother’s medical bills, and her study fees.

The “shipping” jokes typically compare Jin-woo’s sister complex to Beru’s fanatical loyalty. Just as his ant shadow would destroy worlds for his master, Jin-woo would do anything to protect Jinah.

The canon eventually pairs Jinah with Yoo Jinho anyway, confirming what was already known: this relationship belongs firmly in the space of brotherly love, not romance.

6 Jin-woo’s Nurse

When Physical Transformation Turns Heads

After Jin-woo’s system-powered transformation turns him from scrawny to sculpted, his hospital nurse Choi Yoora suddenly takes notice. Their brief interaction is meant to show how dramatically Jin-woo’s appearance had changed, the formerly invisible E-rank hunter now stops women in their tracks.

The nurse boldly asks for his number under the pretext of “following up on his condition.” Jin-woo, still adjusting to his new reality, naively provides it thinking it’s for medical purposes. Her subsequent texts go unanswered as Jin-woo has far bigger concerns than dating.

This fleeting encounter serves primarily to show Jin-woo’s physical transformation and his continued focus on goals rather than romance.

5 Yoo Soohyun

The Professional Boundary

Yoo Soohyun enters Jin-woo’s life as the capable secretary of his Ahjin Guild. Their first meeting involves mutual recognition; she’s starstruck by his growing reputation, while he recognizes her as a celebrity. This creates an interesting dynamic of professional admiration flowing both ways.

Their relationship remains strictly professional, characterized by efficiency and mutual respect. Soohyun’s competence perfectly complements Jin-woo’s growing empire, making them an effective team in the business side of hunting.

While some fans speculate about romantic potential due to their compatible personalities and shared charisma, the narrative never pushes them beyond professional boundaries.

4 Han Songyi

The Youthful Admiration

Han Songyi, a high school student and friend of Jin-woo’s sister, develops a classic hero-worship crush after Jin-woo rescues her during the Red Gate incident. Her admiration stems from witnessing his strength and protective nature firsthand during life-threatening circumstances.

Songyi’s feelings are a youthful infatuation rather than mature romance. The significant age gap and Jin-woo’s lack of reciprocation keep this firmly in the dimension of one-sided admiration. Yoo Jinho even notices her crush with some discomfort during their interactions.

While Songyi initially wants to become a hunter for financial reasons, her encounter with Jin-woo transforms this motivation into something more aspirational. It’s amazing how he inadvertently inspires others through his aura farming rather than his words.

3 Esil Radiru

Demon Princess, Human Heart

Esil Radiru, the demon princess Jin-woo encounters in the Demon Castle arc, develops perhaps the most intense attraction to him of anyone except his eventual wife. Initially sent to assassinate him, she switches allegiance after witnessing his power and character, developing feelings that border on obsession.

Their relationship spans ages, with Esil’s admiration for Jin-woo transcending their natural enemy status. In the Solo Leveling: Arise webtoon, she potentially confesses her feelings, though Jin-woo remains focused on his larger mission rather than romantic entanglements.

Though she exists within the System’s Demon Tower recreation, her emotions feel genuine. Her popularity among fans stems from her loyalty and personality, making her a fan-favorite “best girl” despite the relationship’s impossibility.

Her reappearance in Solo Leveling: Ragnarok as a companion to Jin-woo’s son Suho shows how she remains connected to his legacy, if not romantically to him. If you can’t get a man, aim for his son; classic.

2 Lee Joohee

The Road Not Taken

Lee Joohee is Jin-woo’s most significant “what if” relationship. As a B-Rank Healer who accompanied him on countless raids during his vulnerable early days, she formed a deep bond with Jin-woo when he was still the “World’s Weakest Hunter.”

Their connection was built on genuine trust and mutual care, her healing magic repeatedly saved his life, while his courage and dedication to his family earned her respect. The series author confirmed that Jin-woo genuinely had feelings for Joohee at one point, and originally planned for them to become romantic interests.

What makes their relationship poignantly realistic is how life circumstances drove them apart. As Jin-woo’s power skyrocketed, Joohee’s fear of high-ranking dungeons created an unbridgeable gap between them.

Their paths diverged naturally, even strong connections can fade when people grow in different directions. The author has even expressed interest in writing an alternate universe story where their romance could have blossomed, acknowledging the genuine potential that existed between them.

1 Cha Hae In

The Fated Connection

Cha Hae In is uncontested as Jin-woo’s most significant romantic relationship, eventually becoming his wife and mother to their son Suho. What makes their connection unique is how it begins, with Hae In’s ability to detect mana leading her to find Jin-woo’s scent uniquely appealing, devoid of the typical hunter odor she finds repulsive.

Their relationship develops through shared experiences in the hunter world’s highest echelons. The pivotal Jeju Island raid, where Jin-woo saves her from certain death, cements their mutual respect and budding affection. As S-Rank hunters, they understand each other’s world in ways others cannot.

Their connection feels destined yet earned. They balance each other perfectly, Hae In’s serious yet caring nature complements Jin-woo’s reserved protectiveness. Even when Hae In loses her memories of their relationship, she still recognizes him by his scent, bringing their story full circle.