A Figure Skating Champion Takes on a New Kind of Performance
South Korean figure skater Cha Jun-hwan is stepping beyond traditional competition ice to take on the role of a fantasy hero in a new kind of entertainment experience that blends sports, theater and Korean pop culture. The Olympic-level athlete is starring as Sung Jin-woo in “Solo Leveling on ICE,” an ice show based on the internationally popular Korean webtoon “Solo Leveling.”
The performance, which opened in Seoul, transforms the action-packed world of the webtoon into a live skating production, combining athletic jumps and spins with choreography, music and dramatic storytelling. For American audiences familiar with adaptations such as Marvel stage productions, Disney live shows or Broadway versions of popular franchises, the concept represents a similar effort to expand a successful story universe into a different format.
At a press event held Aug. 7 at Mokdong Ice Rink in Seoul, Cha performed key scenes from the show and discussed the challenges of bringing a fictional character to life on the ice. Unlike a competitive skating program, where athletes are judged primarily on technical elements and execution, an ice show requires performers to communicate emotion, character development and narrative through movement.
“Solo Leveling on ICE” marks a significant creative challenge for Cha, who has spent years representing South Korea on the international figure skating stage. The production asks him to use the same skills that made him a top competitor while adding a new layer: acting as a character inside a fantasy universe.
From Global Webtoon Phenomenon to Ice Performance
The foundation of the show is “Solo Leveling,” one of South Korea’s most successful webtoon properties. Webtoons are digital comics designed for online reading, usually through vertical scrolling on smartphones. Over the past decade, they have become one of South Korea’s most influential cultural exports, reaching audiences around the world through translation platforms and adaptations into animation, games and other media.
“Solo Leveling” follows Sung Jin-woo, initially portrayed as the weakest-ranked monster hunter in a world where supernatural creatures threaten humanity. Through a mysterious system that allows him to grow stronger, he transforms from an overlooked fighter into a powerful figure. The story’s themes of personal growth, perseverance and overcoming limitations have helped it attract a large international following.
The original webtoon has accumulated billions of views globally, making it one of the best-known examples of Korean intellectual property reaching beyond traditional entertainment markets. Its popularity reflects the broader rise of Korean content, often referred to as the Korean Wave, or Hallyu, which has brought K-pop, Korean dramas, films and digital storytelling to audiences worldwide.
By adapting the series into an ice show, producers are experimenting with a new form of Korean content expansion. Instead of simply creating another screen adaptation, the production uses physical performance to recreate the emotions and action of the original story.
Why Cha Jun-hwan’s Role Represents a New Challenge
Cha Jun-hwan is one of the most recognized names in South Korean men’s figure skating. He has competed at major international events and has been considered a leading figure in the development of Korean men’s skating. His reputation has been built on technical ability, including difficult jumps and precise skating skills.
However, an ice show requires a different set of abilities. Competitive figure skating often centers on athletic difficulty, scoring strategy and technical perfection. In contrast, performance skating places greater emphasis on storytelling, audience connection and emotional expression.
Playing Sung Jin-woo requires Cha to portray the character’s transformation from a struggling fighter into a powerful hero. The challenge is not only to execute complex skating movements but also to make audiences understand the character’s emotions through body language, timing and musical interpretation.
Cha has described the production as a difficult but meaningful experience because it combines skating, music and drama. The project allows him to explore a side of figure skating that is less visible in competitions: skating as a form of performing arts.
Korean Entertainment Continues to Blend Sports and Storytelling
The production highlights a growing trend in South Korea: combining successful entertainment franchises with new experiences that encourage fans to interact with stories in different ways. Similar approaches have been seen in concerts, immersive exhibitions, theme attractions and live performances based on popular Korean intellectual properties.
For global fans, “Solo Leveling on ICE” offers a new entry point into Korean culture. Someone who discovered Korean entertainment through webtoons or animation can now experience the same story through a live athletic performance. At the same time, figure skating fans can encounter a popular fantasy franchise they may not have previously explored.
The collaboration also reflects how Korean companies are increasingly treating creative properties as flexible cultural assets. A successful story is no longer limited to one format. A webtoon can become an animated series, a game, merchandise, a stage performance or, in this case, an ice show.
This strategy mirrors trends in the global entertainment industry, where companies increasingly build interconnected experiences around popular characters and fictional worlds. South Korea’s fast-growing webtoon industry has become an important source of original stories that can travel across borders.
An Ice Show That Expands the Meaning of Figure Skating
“Solo Leveling on ICE” runs from Aug. 7 through Aug. 17 at Mokdong Ice Rink in Seoul. The show brings together professional skating ability and theatrical production, creating a format that sits between a sporting event and a live entertainment performance.
For Cha Jun-hwan, the project represents a chance to redefine what a figure skater can do after years of competition. Rather than focusing only on scores and medals, he is exploring how skating can communicate stories and connect with audiences emotionally.
The move also reflects a broader shift among elite athletes around the world. Many sports stars now extend their careers into entertainment, fashion, media and creative projects, using their personal brands to connect with fans in new ways. Cha’s role demonstrates how athletes can become cultural figures who represent more than their competitive achievements.
For international audiences watching the growth of Korean culture, the ice show offers another example of how South Korea continues to merge technology, storytelling and performance. It brings together a world-famous webtoon, a top figure skater and a theatrical format designed to create a shared experience.
South Korea’s Next Chapter in Global Cultural Exports
The appeal of “Solo Leveling on ICE” extends beyond a single performance. It represents the continued evolution of Korean entertainment, where boundaries between sports, digital media and live performance are becoming increasingly flexible.
Cha Jun-hwan’s transformation into Sung Jin-woo shows how Korean athletes and creators are finding new ways to reach global audiences. The ice rink becomes not just a place for competition but a stage where stories, characters and cultural ideas can come together.
As Korean content continues to expand internationally, projects like this demonstrate the country’s ability to reinvent popular stories across multiple platforms. For fans around the world, it offers a glimpse of a new form of entertainment where a webtoon hero can leave the screen and come alive on the ice.
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