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Émile Durkheim

Sung Jinwoo

Sung Jinwoo is the main protagonist of Solo Leveling, a man who starts as an incredibly weak E-Rank Hunter, but becomes the strongest hunter in the world and the second Shadow Monarch after inheriting the power from Ashborn, the original Shadow Monarch. His journey from a weak, almost powerless individual to a figure of god-like strength is at the core of the story, driven by the mysterious System that grants him unparalleled abilities.

Émile Durkheim
Born
David Émile Durkheim

(1858-04-15)15 April 1858

Épinal, France
Died 15 November 1917(1917-11-15)(aged 59)

Paris,France
Nationality French
Alma mater École Normale Supérieure
Known for Sacred–profane dichotomy
Collective consciousness
Social fact
Social integration
Anomie
Collective effervescence
Scientific career
Fields Philosophy, sociology, education, anthropology, religious studies
Institutions University of Paris, University of Bordeaux
Influences Immanuel Kant, René Descartes,Plato, Herbert Spencer,Aristotle, Montesquieu, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Auguste Comte. William James, John Dewey, Fustel de Coulanges, Jean-Marie Guyau, Charles Bernard Renouvier, John Stuart Mill
Influenced Marcel Mauss,Claude Lévi-Strauss, Talcott Parsons, Maurice Halbwachs, Jonathan Haidt, Lucien Lévy-Bruhl,Bronisław Malinowski, Fernand Braudel, Pierre Bourdieu, Charles Taylor, Henri Bergson, Emmanuel Levinas, Steven Lukes, Alfred Radcliffe-Brown, E. E. Evans-Pritchard, Mary Douglas, Paul Fauconnet, Robert N. Bellah, Ziya Gökalp, David Bloor, Randall Collins, Neil Smelser[1]

Appearance

Jinwoo begins his journey as a frail and unimposing individual. He has a lean build with black hair and sharp, dark eyes. His initial stature and presence reflect his position as a weak hunter, someone barely managing to survive in the world of dungeons and hunters. He often looks tired and vulnerable, which mirrors his struggles at the start of the series.

As Jinwoo progresses and gains power, his appearance undergoes a gradual transformation. His body becomes more muscular and toned, reflecting the incredible strength he develops. His eyes take on a sharper, more piercing gaze, often showing a hint of the darkness and power within him, especially when he taps into his abilities as the Shadow Monarch. His attire shifts from simple hunting gear to more regal or combat-ready outfits befitting his newfound status as a world-defining power. When using his shadow abilities, Jinwoo often exudes a dark aura, and his presence becomes imposing and fearsome.

A collection of Durkheim's courses on the origins of socialism (1896), edited and published by his nephew, Marcel Mauss, in 1928

Depicted as a frail and unassuming young man, Sung Jinwoo initially appears weak and vulnerable, with a slight build and often dressed in simple clothing. His lack of confidence is mirrored in his expression, highlighting his struggles as an E-rank hunter in a perilous world.

Personality

Sung Jinwoo starts as a humble, kind-hearted person, driven by his desire to protect his family, particularly his younger sister Sung Jinah and his mother, who was in a coma for many years due to the Eternal Slumber disease. Despite his initial weakness, he is incredibly brave, willing to put himself in danger to help his friends and fellow hunters. This shows his unwavering sense of responsibility and loyalty, even when it means risking his own life.

As he grows stronger and starts uncovering the mysteries behind the System, Jinwoo becomes more confident and determined. He adopts a more serious demeanor, often showing little emotion when dealing with enemies or challenges. His growing power makes him more independent, and he is often seen making calculated decisions in battle, showing his tactical intelligence. However, Jinwoo never loses his compassion or his deep love for his family and close allies. His relationship with his shadows also demonstrates his sense of responsibility as a leader, as he treats them with respect despite their undying loyalty to him.

Jinwoo also has a darker side, which emerges when he taps into the Shadow Monarch powers, especially in battle. His calm and collected nature can quickly shift to a ruthless and merciless attitude when dealing with threats, showing no hesitation in eliminating enemies.

Powers and Abilities

Cover of the French edition of The Division of Labour in Society

This image showcases Sung Jinwoo after his awakening, surrounded by a powerful aura that signifies his newfound strength and abilities. His confident stance and determined expression reflect his transformation from a low-ranking hunter to a formidable force in the world of hunters, embodying the dramatic shift in his character arc.

System Player

Jinwoo’s most unique ability is his status as the Player of the System, allowing him to grow stronger by leveling up. He gains experience points by defeating monsters and completing quests, which can be used to increase his stats such as strength, agility, and intelligence. This gives him limitless growth potential, unlike any other hunter.

Shadow Extraction and Control

As the Shadow Monarch, Jinwoo can extract the shadows of dead beings and turn them into loyal shadow soldiers. These soldiers retain the skills and memories of their original forms, and Jinwoo can command them in battle. His most powerful shadows include:

Infinite Regeneration

Jinwoo can heal from fatal injuries by using the powers of the Shadow Monarch. His healing factor is so potent that he can recover from almost any wound, even those that would kill other hunters.

Dominating Presence

As the Shadow Monarch, Jinwoo exudes an aura that can instill fear or submission in those weaker than him. This presence alone is enough to intimidate most enemies.

Assassin Techniques

Initially relying on stealth and agility, Jinwoo developed deadly assassin techniques, making him a master of close combat. His speed and precision allow him to dispatch enemies before they even realize what happened.

Daggers

Jinwoo primarily uses daggers as his weapons of choice, making him a formidable close-range fighter. His dagger skills are unmatched, allowing him to take down enemies swiftly.

Full Shadow Monarch Transformation

In his final form, Jinwoo can transform into the true Shadow Monarch, gaining immense power and the ability to summon massive armies of shadows. His power rivals that of gods and ancient beings.

History

Sung Jinwoo began his career as a Hunter, barely scraping by as the Weakest Hunter in the world. Known for his frailty and tendency to get injured during even the simplest of dungeon raids, he was an E-Rank Hunter, a title that brought him scorn and ridicule from others. His initial weakness is central to the early parts of the story, as it is clear that Jinwoo is struggling just to survive and provide for his family.

Everything changed when he was caught in the Double Dungeon, a catastrophic event where many of his fellow hunters were killed. At death’s door, Jinwoo accepted a mysterious offer from the System, granting him the title of Player. This System allowed him to level up like a game character, giving him unique abilities and the chance to become stronger without limits.

From there, Jinwoo’s journey to power begins. Through relentless grinding, dungeon raids, and battles with increasingly powerful enemies, he ascended through the ranks of hunters, eventually surpassing even the most powerful S-Rank Hunters in South Korea. As he grows in strength, Jinwoo uncovers the truth about the System, the Monarchs, and the Rulers, ancient beings locked in a cosmic war for control of the universe.

Upon realizing that he is the successor of Ashborn, the Shadow Monarch, Jinwoo takes on the responsibilities of being the new Shadow Monarch and fights against the Monarchs who seek to destroy humanity. His final confrontation with Antares, the Dragon King and Monarch of Destruction, cements his place as the most powerful being in existence.

Relationships

Ashborn (Original Shadow Monarch)

Ashborn is Jinwoo’s predecessor as the Shadow Monarch. He chooses Jinwoo to be his successor after seeing his resolve and potential, granting him his powers.

Sung Jinah

Jinwoo’s younger sister, who he cares for deeply. Protecting her is one of his main motivations for becoming stronger.

Sung Il-Hwan

Jinwoo’s father, who was missing for most of Jinwoo’s life due to being trapped in a dungeon. His return plays a significant role in Jinwoo’s emotional development.

Cha Hae-In

A powerful S-Rank Hunter and one of Jinwoo’s closest allies. Over time, a romantic relationship develops between the two as they fight together to protect humanity.

Beru, Igris, and the Shadows

Jinwoo has a deep bond with his shadow soldiers, particularly Beru and Igris, who are his most trusted companions. Though they are mere shadows, Jinwoo treats them with respect and acknowledges their loyalty.

Trivia

  • Sung Jinwoo’s rise from E-Rank to becoming the strongest hunter is one of the most significant character growths inSolo Leveling.
  • His character arc is marked by themes of perseverance, sacrifice, and responsibility, especially as he takes on the role of Shadow Monarch to protect humanity from destruction.
  • Sung Jinwoo’s connection withAshbornand the cosmic battle betweenMonarchsandRulersplays a key role in the later part of the story.