Who is Han Song-Yi?
Han Song-Yi (한송이) is a supporting character in the Korean light novel, manhwa, and anime series Solo Leveling. She is a Korean E-Rank Hunter and a close friend of Sung Jinah, the younger sister of Sung Jinwoo (the main protagonist of the story).
She was initially introduced as a naive and somewhat reckless high school student with dreams of wealth through hunting, Han Song-Yi undergoes significant character development, particularly during the pivotal Red Gate arc.
Appearance :
Han Song-Yi is a teenage girl with a youthful and distinctive look. She has black hair styled in a bob cut, black eyes, and a notable beauty mark under her left eye, adding a unique charm to her appearance. During raids, she opts for practical yet casual attire, typically wearing a hoodie paired with a black cap, a gray skirt, and black leggings.
In her later appearances, she changes her hairstyle, tying her hair into a bun with two fringes framing her face, symbolizing her maturing outlook. Her design emphasizes her youth and inexperience, contrasting with the dangerous world she briefly enters.
Profile :
- ‣ Name – Han Song-Yi (한송이)
- ‣ Gender – Female
- ‣ Age – 19
- ‣ Height – 5’2″ to 5’4″ (Most Probably)
- ‣ Affiliation – Formerly Jinah’s High School / Association Training Program
- ‣ Occupation – Student → Hunter Trainee
- ‣ Debut Appearance – Solo Leveling (Manhwa) – Chapter 49
- ‣ Status – Alive
Personality :
At her introduction, Han Song-Yi is portrayed as somewhat rude, carefree, and dismissive of her education, reflecting the impulsiveness of youth. Her decision to drop out of high school to pursue a career as a Hunter stems from her fascination with the lavish lifestyles of high-ranking Hunters showcased in media, as well as the immediate financial rewards offered by low-effort raid contracts. This naivety drives her to overlook the inherent dangers of the profession, particularly for an E-Rank Hunter with minimal combat ability.
However, her near-death experience in the Red Gate Incident marks a turning point. Witnessing the brutal realities of dungeon raids and being saved by Sung Jinwoo humbles her, fostering gratitude and respect toward him. She transitions from addressing Jinwoo formally as “mister” to calling him by his first name, indicating a newfound familiarity and admiration.
Post-incident, Song-Yi displays bravery, as seen during a dungeon break in her school, when she willingly confronts powerful orcs despite knowing her limitations. Her decision to retire from hunting and return to school highlights her growth, as she prioritizes her safety and education over quick riches, embodying a more grounded and mature perspective.
Background :
Han Song-Yi is a high school student and one of Sung Jinah’s closest friends, placing her within the orbit of the Sung family. Like many young people in the Solo Leveling world, she dreams of becoming a Hunter, inspired by the wealth and fame associated with high-ranking Hunters.
At the age of nineteen, she awakens as an E-Rank Hunter, the lowest rank, but sees it as her ticket to a glamorous life. Despite her low rank, she persists in seeking opportunities to join raids, eventually signing a questionable contract with Yoo Jinho, Sung Jinwoo’s ally, to fill headcounts outside dungeon gates for easy money.
Her connection to Jinah indirectly brings her into Jinwoo’s path, though he initially fails to recognize her due to his limited familiarity with his sister’s social circle. Upon learning of her identity and her risky career choice, Jinwoo takes it upon himself to protect her, reflecting his own past struggles as an E-Rank Hunter. This protective instinct leads to her involvement in the Red Gate arc, a defining moment in her story.
Role in the Story :
High School Arc
Han Song-Yi is introduced as a classmate and friend of Sung Jinah. Their relationship starts off with a slight conflict when Song-Yi skips class and is scolded by Jinah, but the two grow closer after this initial friction.
Awakening as a Hunter
In a twist, Song-Yi becomes one of the rare individuals who undergoes a natural awakening — discovering latent magical powers that qualify her as a Hunter. This event marks a significant change in her character arc, as she is recruited into the Hunter Association’s training program for new Awakened Beings.
Yoo Jinho Raid Party Arc
Han Song-Yi first appears as a minor character in the Yoo Jinho Raid Party arc, recruited by Jinho to bolster the headcount for raids alongside Sung Jinwoo. Her role was minimal, as she was contracted to stand outside gates without entering dungeons, earning substantial pay for little effort.
This arrangement fuels her confidence and reinforces her belief that hunting is a lucrative, low-risk career. Jinwoo, unaware of her connection to his sister, is perplexed by her presence as a young, low-ranking Hunter. After discovering her identity through Jinah’s former teacher, he becomes determined to steer her away from the dangerous profession.
Red Gate Arc
To scare her off hunting, Jinwoo includes Song-Yi in a White Tiger Guild training raid, but it becomes a deadly Red Gate, trapping them in a frozen dungeon. There they face ice bears and a group of ice elves, Song-Yi’s E-Rank skills falter, but Jinwoo protects her, defeating the boss, Baruka. Traumatized, she retires from hunting and returns to school.
Post-Red Gate
After the Red Gate Incident, Han Song-Yi’s role in the story diminishes, reflecting her withdrawal from the Hunter lifestyle. She makes a brief appearance showing Jinah a press conference announcing Jinwoo’s promotion to S-Rank, indicating her connection to the Sung family and her admiration for Jinwoo. In the new timeline created by the Cup of Reincarnation, she is depicted as a civilian, living a normal life as a student, free from the dangers of hunting.
Abilities & Skills :
As an E-Rank Hunter, Han Song-Yi possesses minimal combat prowess, making her one of the weakest characters in Solo Leveling. Her abilities are not detailed extensively in the source material, as her role emphasizes her vulnerability rather than her strength. However, in Solo Leveling: ARISE, she is portrayed as a Water-element SR Assassin with a crit-heavy skill set, capable of inflicting the Poison debuff and creating shields. Her skills include –
- ‣ Swift Flight (Basic Skill) – Deals Water-element damage and throws Umbral Weapons.
- ‣ Retrieve (Basic Skill) – Recalls Umbral Weapons, applying a shield at Advancement Tier 1.
- ‣ Rakshasa (Ultimate Skill) – Delivers high Water-element damage, resetting cooldowns for other skills at higher advancements.
- ‣ Short Attack: Rakshasa, Light, Quick Attack: Light, Throwing Knife Slash – Support and core attacks that scale with her Attack stat.
Her exclusive weapon, First Bloom, enhances her critical hit damage and synergizes with her skills, while artifacts like the Burning Curse set boost her critical stats and attack. Despite these game-specific enhancements, her canonical abilities remain limited, aligning with her E-Rank status.
Relationships :
The below relationships Han Song-Yi develops throughout the whole series of Solo Leveling.
Sung Jinwoo
Han Song-Yi’s relationship with Sung Jinwoo evolves from distant acquaintance to one of mutual respect. Initially, Jinwoo is unaware of her identity, but upon learning she is Jinah’s friend, he takes a protective stance, driven by his own experiences as a struggling E-Rank Hunter.
His efforts to dissuade her from hunting culminate in the Red Gate arc, where he saves her life multiple times. Song-Yi’s gratitude transforms her attitude toward him, and she becomes friendlier, somewhere started liking him and addressing him informally by his first name. Their bond reflects Jinwoo’s desire to shield others from the perils he once faced.
Sung Jinah
As Jinah’s close friend, Song-Yi shares a typical teenage camaraderie with her, though their interactions are not deeply explored. Their friendship indirectly connects Song-Yi to Jinwoo and motivates his protective actions. After retiring as a Hunter, Song-Yi maintains her friendship with Jinah, as seen when they watch Jinwoo’s press conference together.
Yoo Jinho
Song-Yi’s brief association with Yoo Jinho stems from his recruitment for raid headcounts. Jinho’s offer of easy money appeals to her, but their relationship remains professional and limited to the raid party context. Jinho’s role indirectly sets the stage for her involvement in Jinwoo’s plans.
In Other Media :
Solo Leveling: ARISE
In the mobile game Solo Leveling: ARISE, Han Song-Yi is a playable SR Water Assassin, emphasizing critical hit damage and Water-element attacks. Her skill set, including abilities like Swift Flight and Rakshasa, enhances her combat utility, contrasting with her minimal canonical abilities.
Her exclusive weapon, First Bloom, and recommended artifacts like Burning Curse optimize her performance, making her a viable character for players lacking SSR Hunters.
Anime
Han Song-Yi appears in the Solo Leveling anime, voiced by Miyu Tomita (Japanese) and Emi Lo (English). Her introduction occurs in the first season, with a more prominent role anticipated in the second season during the Red Gate arc. Her anime portrayal aligns with the manhwa, emphasizing her initial recklessness and eventual growth.
Trivia :
- Han Song-Yi is the second E-Rank Hunter introduced in Solo Leveling, following Sung Jinwoo.
- Her beauty mark and changing hairstyles are subtle indicators of her character development.
- Despite her minor role, she is considered the primary catalyst for the Red Gate arc, highlighting her narrative significance.
- In Solo Leveling: ARISE, her Water Assassin kit makes her a fan-favorite for players seeking accessible yet effective characters.
- Her decision to retire mirrors other characters like Lee Joohee, emphasizing the psychological toll of hunting on weaker individuals.
Quotes :
- “I’m gonna be a Hunter and make tons of money! Who needs school when you can live like that?”
- “I… I didn’t know it would be like this… It’s too much!”
- “Jinwoo… thank you. I’d be dead if it wasn’t for you.”
- “I thought being a Hunter was my way out, but… I’m done. I just want to live.”
- “I can’t just stand here… I have to do something!”
