Solo Leveling has ancient beings plaguing their world, so it’s quite natural that the personalities of the characters will be affected by it. We’ve witnessed Sung Jinwoo becoming increasingly selfish and ruthless as the series continues. Some characters will be too far gone and more cruel than him.
Hwang Dongsoo is an example of this. Fans absolutely despise him for his manipulative and reckless behavior. They find pleasure when he’s defeated and beaten. However, is there not a hint of humanity in the S-Rank hunter?
He also had a brother, Hwang Dongsuk, who is arguably a far worse person. The man was described as a sociopath, and it’s true. He tried to kill Jinwoo and Jinho for no reason other than to make some quick cash. He got his entire team killed trying to face the protagonist.
So, while Dongsoo might be selfish and his actions in Solo Leveling prove it, he definitely cared for his brother. He might say cruel words to mask his true feelings but in the end, it’s his family. Their brotherly bond only heightened his thirst for revenge.
Hwang Dongsoo might have a strained relationship with Dongsuk, but they still love each other
In Asian families, despite how strained or complicated the family dynamic is, it’s hard to let go of the love. The members still feel a bond with each other, they’re just terrible at expressing and working through it.
Hwang Dongsoo and Dongsuk had to be the same. The latter felt betrayed and resented the former for moving to America to make more money. Underneath it was also envy. While the older brother was stuck at C-Rank, the younger one rose to S. There was a natural strain in their dynamic.
As much as the Hwang brothers are cruel, sociopathic hunters in the story, Dongsoo’s vendetta against Jinwoo is somewhat justified in his mind. He’s acting on his perspective alone. To him, his brother was killed by the son of the man who defeated him. Jinwoo isn’t beyond being cruel, either.
Dongsoo also cared for his older brother emotionally too, not just seeking revenge. He cried when he died so it shows this man does have a heart. Reddit fans discuss if they did indeed care for each other.
Comment
byu/ImpossibleAd4272 from discussion
insololeveling
Comment
byu/ImpossibleAd4272 from discussion
insololeveling
Comment
byu/ImpossibleAd4272 from discussion
insololeveling
Comment
byu/ImpossibleAd4272 from discussion
insololeveling
Comment
byu/ImpossibleAd4272 from discussion
insololeveling
Comment
byu/ImpossibleAd4272 from discussion
insololeveling
It all comes down to family. Hwang Dongsoo and Dongsuk just aren’t the traditional nor the expressive type. It’s also strange how alike they became so perhaps that’s where the bond comes from.
Does Hwang Dongsoo’s character have some nuance?
In the end, most characters in any series will have nuance and complexity. Chugong probably didn’t intend to make Dongsoo with any nuance, but it bleeds in anyway.
Caring for his brother shows that beneath all that violence and arrogance is someone with a family, similar to Jinwoo and many other characters. The protagonist was never meant to be a hero. So, why do people expect Dongsoo to be better than him?
Still, let’s not forget his actions. He does kidnap and torture Jinho, instigated the fight between Thomas Andre and Jinwoo, and all the while, he believed he could win. He got what was coming to him. He might not be the worst antagonist of Solo Leveling but he’s a terrible person nonetheless.
Solo Leveling is available on Crunchyroll.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
