“Is Kim Chul not stupid for letting that Healer switch teams”: Solo Leveling Fans Calling Kim Chul Dumb Might Just be Horribly Wrong

The second season of Chugong and A-1 Pictures’ Solo Leveling has started with a bang, as the first episode itself has shaken the community. The second season recently saw the release of its first episode titled “You Aren’t E-Rank, Are You?” on Sunday, January 5, 2025, and it has instantly become a fan favorite considering the development in the Solo Leveling story.

Solo Leveling Season 2 | Credit: A-1 Pictures

From the arrival of Hwang Dongsoo to a normal C-Rank dungeon turning into Red Gate, the episode was filled with exciting twists and turns that fans didn’t expect. Not only that, the episode featured Sung Jinwoo in action as soon as he starts his new journey and also shows a glimpse of what his shadow soldier, Igris, is truly capable of.

However, the only point of criticism according to Solo Leveling fans is the individual plot of Kim Chul, the A-Rank Hunter who led the raid inside the dungeon. His decisions and planning skills were quite questionable, which forced fans to believe that he was undeserving of his rank. But fans questioning his rank might be unjust considering his circumstances.

Sung Jinwoo showcases his growth in Solo Leveling

As the first episode demonstrated, Solo Leveling Season 2 will be full of strong and dangerous characters, thrilling battles, and exciting plot twists. Sung Jinwoo has completely changed as compared to his initial appearance, and he even feels more confident in his power. He has become more reliable and is currently helping his sister’s friend understand the dangers of being a hunter.

In the process of all this, he gets trapped inside a red gate, which is an extremely dangerous gate in Solo Leveling. There he is, attracted by Ice Elves and Ice Bears, who are on a different level in terms of threat. Thus the leader of his group, Kim Chul, decides to divide the group in two, leaving behind the weak hunters to fend for themselves.

Kim Chul’s Group in Solo Leveling | Credit: A-1 Pictures

This was his way of protecting himself, as he believed that the weak hunters would be dead weight. However, things turn around for him quickly as he is attacked by the main horde of Ice Elves, whereas Sung Jinwoo saves the weak hunters by defeating the leader of the Ice Bears. Every member of Kim Chul’s squad is brutally killed, and he is forced to run away out of desperation.

Fans are wrong to assume that Kim Chul is dumb

Kim Chul’s actions are certainly questionable considering the fact that he acted selfishly. But contrary to popular belief, he was not a dumb character. Fans assumed that he was a dumb character because he let Park Heejin, the assumed healer of the group, go with Sung Jinwoo, ignoring the fact that healers could be extremely useful in dangerous situations.

Kim Chul in Solo Leveling | Credit: A-1 Pictures

However, what Solo Leveling fans fail to realize is that Kim Chul wanted to take on the boss of the dungeon, and in order to do that, he needed the powerful hunters in his team.

As Park Heejin willingly chose to stay with Sung Jinwoo’s squad, he assumed that she was cowardly and weak and would obviously hinder their battle against the dungeon boss.

Plus, he was a prideful A-rank hunter who didn’t want anyone unwilling on his team. And while this did not play in his favor, it is safe to say that Kim Chul acted in his own interest and evidently got outplayed by the strength and danger posed by Ice Elves in Solo Leveling.

Solo Leveling is available to watch on Crunchyroll.