Solo Leveling has ruled discussions amongst anime fans for its stunning animation and intense action sequences. However, another point of anticipation was the topic surrounding Jinwoo’s possible romantic relationships. Both seasons 1 and 2 focused on Jinwoo honing his abilities and his path to becoming the strongest. Still, despite his lack of attention to the affection shown by female characters, the series has dropped subtle hints at potential love interests.

While the manhwa centers on one main heroine, the anime-only scenes feature another character whose feelings for Jinwoo make her harder to forget. The anime adaptation kept offering small moments that suggested Jinwoo could have had romantic possibilities beyond Cha Hae-In. These scenes gave fans reasons to speculate and wish for more development in this area. Even with romance not being his priority, the series keeps leaving behind traces of what could be.

Jinwoo’s Romance is Blooming Despite Him Not Considering It a Priority

Joohee ed Him Even When He Was the Weakest Hunter

Jinwoo had never seen romance as a priority, even before being chosen by the System. When he was still an E-rank hunter, his focus was on survival and ing his sister and his mother, who was confined in the hospital. He constantly pushed himself to grow stronger, not for iration or recognition, but for the people he cared about. Amidst this, romance never entered his mind.

Despite Jinwoo's clear focus, some female characters in the story developed feelings for him. One of the first was Joohee, a B-rank healer who made her iration known early on. She always looked out for him and showed consistent care, but her naturally friendly and comionate nature made fans wonder if her actions were out of sympathy. However, the subtle hints in her behavior suggested she saw Jinwoo as more than just a weak hunter needing help.

Joohee’s interest was most apparent when she asked him to have lunch before they parted ways. This moment, though brief, suggested a possible reconnection that never came to be. Joohee does not have a forceful personality, so even if her feelings were real, she likely would have kept them hidden. While Jinwoo never gave importance to romance, the story has shown that possible heroines did exist around him.

Joohee’s Anime-Only Moments Made Her Exit Feel More Impactful

Joohee's Impact Wasn't Defined by Her Brief Screentime

In the manhwa, Joohee never connected with Jinwoo after her last conversation about taking him out for lunch. However, he showed up but only as a typical side character, subtly shown in the background, both during the Jeju Island Arc and at the very end when the Solo Leveling manhwa series was about to conclude. Even then, no new interaction between them was made.

However, in the current anime, it's technically the same, but Joohee had more moments and screen time that added more weight to her character. She was seen watching Jinwoo on television during a news broadcast that announced that he was declared an S-rank hunter, giving her more emotional connection than she had in the manhwa.

Even during the Jeju Island Arc, Joohee was present, fighting alongside the old C-rank hunter, Song Chiyul, who was also part of their former crew. When the situation gets worse and the bugs overwhelm them, Jinwoo’s newest shadow Beru arrives in time to protect them. What made this scene more impactful was how Joohee instantly knew that Jinwoo was the one behind Beru, even without any clear sign or confirmation. This moment alone gave anime-only viewers a reason to see Joohee as more than a side character.

This change in Joohee’s presence may seem small, but it played a big role in how fans perceived her. While those who read the manhwa and already accepted Joohee’s quiet exit knew who Jinwoo would eventually end up with, the anime-only fans were given more reasons to hold onto her. These added moments between Joohee and Jinwoo, even if indirect, felt like crumbs that kept the idea of their possible connection alive. Because of this, many anime viewers began to root for Joohee, even if the story might not lead to anything deeper.

Hopefully, Solo Leveling Season 3 Gives More of Cha Hae-In and Jinwoo

Cha Hae-In is Slowly Stepping into the Spotlight as the Heroine

Cha Hae-In and Jinwoo’s first meeting took place in Solo Leveling season 2, episode 4. Jinwoo had ed a mining team’s raid but secretly intended to defeat the dungeon boss alone. Before he could act, Cha Hae-In arrived at the same dungeon, led by her sharp instincts. Known for her heightened sense of smell that usually makes her uncomfortable around others, Hae-In was surprised that Jinwoo's presence was the only one that didn't bother her.

Their next encounter came in episode 10, as Korea's S-rank hunters prepared for the Jeju Island operation. Jinwoo and Hae-In, being the ninth and tenth Korean S-ranks, stood among the country’s strongest. Although the moment was brief, it set the stage for what was to come. The real turning point happened in episode #12, when Hae-In and the other S-rank hunters were overwhelmed by Beru, and Jinwoo stepped in to save her from near death.

After the Jeju Island arc, Hae-In and Jinwoo shared no further scenes, but her final words hinted at a deep resolve to stand beside him as an equal. While Jinwoo still shows no clear interest in romance, the potential for something more between them has been quietly planted. With season 3 possibly on the horizon, there's hope the anime will give their relationship more space to grow. Whether it’s friendship, partnership, or something deeper, Hae-In and Jinwoo deserve a narrative that reflects the quiet bond already taking root between them.

Sung Jinwoo Might Appear Heartless, But He Deserves Romance Too

Jinwoo Deserves a Happy Ending, and It’s Inevitable

Sung Jinwoo might come off as heartless or overly focused on the System, especially with how determined he is to grow stronger and protect those he cares about. From the beginning, his priorities have always been survival, family, and power, not romance. His calm and distant demeanor often gives the impression that he doesn’t have time for emotional connections beyond what’s necessary for his missions.

But beneath that cold exterior is someone who’s endured loss, isolation, and responsibility far too early. If anyone deserves a moment of softness or someone to stand beside him, it’s Jinwoo. He may not seek romance, but that doesn’t mean he’s undeserving of it. As Jinwoo's story of greater power continues, Solo Leveling fans can only hope that love finds its way into his story, too.