The world's first immersive exhibition based on the global hit franchise "Solo Leveling" is set to open on November 22 at DUEX Hongdae in Seoul, offering fans an unprecedented opportunity to step directly into the series' fictional universe. The groundbreaking exhibition promises to transform visitors from passive observers into active participants, allowing them to summon shadow soldiers, explore meticulously recreated dungeons, and receive personalized hunter licenses.
Running through March 1, 2026, this immersive experience will cast every visitor as a novice hunter fresh from training, according to exhibition organizer Waysbe. After receiving a welcome from the fictional Korea Hunter Association, attendees will navigate through faithfully recreated locations from the beloved series. These include the iconic Cartenon Temple, a mysterious dungeon situated beneath Hongdae Station in Seoul's vibrant university district, and a thrilling raid site on Jeju Island.
The exhibition's main attraction centers around an interactive shadow extraction experience that brings protagonist Sung Jin-woo's signature ability to life. Visitors will have the chance to voice the famous command "Arise" to trigger shadow summons, transforming a fan-favorite moment from the series into physical reality. The venue will also showcase life-sized figures of popular characters, including the formidable knight commander Igris and the imposing Ant King, alongside panoramic battle videos from intense raid sequences.
Additional features include comprehensive displays of weaponry used by Jin-woo throughout his journey, showcasing items from both his weakest and strongest forms. Every attendee will receive a personalized hunter license bearing their own name, creating a unique souvenir from their visit. The venue will house a Hunter Auction selling exclusive limited merchandise, a themed hunter cafe for refreshments, and a four-cut photo booth for memorable pictures.
"Solo Leveling" originated as a web novel by author Chugong in 2016 before evolving into a webtoon in 2018, illustrated by the talented Jang Sung-rak, known by the pen name Dubu, who sadly passed away in 2022. The series has since transformed into a global phenomenon, with its web novel and webtoon adaptations accumulating an impressive 14.3 billion views worldwide. The captivating story follows Sung Jin-woo, initially known as the world's weakest hunter, who discovers a mysterious system that allows him to level up infinitely.
The franchise experienced massive expansion in 2024, launching a mobile game that attracted an astounding 50 million players within just five months of release. An anime adaptation produced by renowned studio A-1 Pictures achieved remarkable success, sweeping nine categories at the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, including the prestigious Anime of the Year award. The anime series became Crunchyroll's most-watched show and secured positions in Netflix's weekly top 10 rankings across 11 different countries.
Looking ahead, Netflix confirmed in July the development of a live-action Korean drama adaptation featuring popular actor Byeon Woo-seok in the lead role of Jin-woo. The highly anticipated series will be co-directed by Lee Hae-jun and Kim Byung-seo, acclaimed filmmakers known for their work on major productions including "Ashfall" and "Cold Eyes." Production duties will be handled by Kakao Entertainment and Sanai Pictures, ensuring high production values for this ambitious adaptation.
