‘Solo Leveling’ Made a Cheap Move Introducing an Entirely New S-Rank Hunter Just for Shock Value
- One of the characters that season 2 of Solo Leveling focused on, is Baek Yoonho's friend, and S-Rank healer Min Byung-Gyu.
- Particular focus was given to him this season, by including him in the opening, and developing his character greatly.
- Fans who expected to see more of him in future seasons were shocked when the anime killed him off in a cheap move.
A Solo Leveling character that quickly became a fan favorite due to his role in the story and due to his charisma, was Min Byung-Gyu, an S-Rank healer, and a friend of Baek Yoonho, Guild Master of the White Tiger Guild.
The second season of Solo Leveling did a great job of introducing Byung-Gyu, and went to great lengths to position him as a major character. But in a shocking twist, it crushed the hopes of its audience by giving him a brutal ending.
Solo Leveling denied him of his prominence
The audience may not remember this, but the first time we saw Min Byung-Gyu in the anime was in Season 1’s Episode 1 titled “I’m Used To It”, where he is seen taking part in the Third Jeju Island Raid with his friends, Baek Yoonho and Eunseok.
Min Byung-Gyu, the S-Rank Healer, will make his return to the 'Solo Leveling' Anime in S2E9 for the first time since S1E1! pic.twitter.com/B6VTFblRvB
— Solo Leveling (@SoloLevelAnime) February 25, 2025
The anime emphasizes Byung-Gyu in this episode itself, showing his kind personality as he quickly defends, and heals a helpless hunter during the Raid. This is also the moment when the anime comments on his healing magic, stating it to be miraculously effective and instant.
This is the only instance we see of Min Byung-Gyu in the first season of Solo Leveling, and we are told that the raid on Jeju Island was a failure, with several hunters dying and even more quitting due to depression.
When Byung-Gyu is reintroduced in the second season, Solo Leveling: Arise from the Shadow, it is revealed to us that he was one of the several hunters who decided to quit. We learn that during the previous raid, his friend, Eunseok died. This event affects Guild Master Baek as well.
During Episode 9 of Season 2 titled “It Was All Worth It”, we see him drinking with Baek Yoonho, and when the Guild Master of the White Tiger guild breaches the topic of the Fourth Jeju Island Raid, Byung-Gyu cuts him off, assuming that he was trying to recruit him for the raid.
To his surprise, Yoonho just wanted to see Byung-Gyu for one last time before the raid.
After pondering upon the thought of joining the primary raid team, in Season 2’s Episode 10 titled “We Need A Hero”, Min Byung-Gyu finally joins the raid team with his friend, and steps back into the shoes of a hunter.
All this focus that Min Gyung-Gyu was receiving, his kind personality, and his deep connection to Baek Yoonho, resulted in fans thinking that the healer would perhaps join the White Tiget Guild after the raid, or maybe become a relevant character.
The most recent episode of Solo Leveling, however, crushed all of the above hopes and assumptions by denying the S-Rank healer of his prominence.
A deeper purpose or shock value?
Solo Leveling’s season 2 episode 11 titled “It’s Going to Get Even More Intense” added to Min Byung-Gyu’s character, showcasing just how amazing of a teammate he could be.
Despite being away from the world of hunting for over a year, the healer still has what it takes to survive. He masterfully helps the team by giving them buffs and healing them whenever necessary.
Several characters even comment on his excellent healing abilities, proudly exclaiming that their team had a wonderful healer. Unknown to the audience, all the focus and appreciation Ming Byung-Gyu was getting were his death flags in disguise.
Soon after the Ant King returns to the nest, Min Byung-Gyu is killed brutally in front of his best friend and is devoured by the monster. This shocked viewers as just a few moments ago, both the friends were celebrating avenging their friend, and now, one of them was dead.
Min Byung-Gyu🥹 pic.twitter.com/wiWT92mxPi
— Solo Leveling (@SoloLevelingHQ) March 15, 2025
This distasteful move by Solo Leveling has caused a debate in the community with fans stating that the makers played a cheap move by killing off a well-developed character. Several fans are enraged that he did not get a well-deserved payoff and that he deserved to be happy.
The incident has left a bad taste in the mouths of loyal fans and is a warning for them to stay cautious about future character developments in the series.
Solo Leveling Season 1 and Season 2 are available to stream on Crunchyroll.
