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With akayona, the love triangle is dead on arrival, which is automatically a subversion. And Hak is someone who despite appearances, is deeply loyal, kind and genuinely respects Yona. He's protective, but not possessive.

Soowon isn't a love interest at all, but he still reflects the trope. His bubblier, friendlier side isn't fake at all, but underneath it he's emotionally detached. Soowon isn't totally apathetic which is part of why he's so great, but he does see everyone around him as pawns to an extent. He cared about Yona, but he didn't initially respect her like Hak always has.

Short form: Royal Eye of the Roads

Official description

A dignity granted to the person who travels across the Five Tribes in the name of the Crown, listens to the people, inspects roads and settlements, proclaims royal decrees, and reports directly to Her Majesty everything he has witnessed.

Actual description

Su-Won and his loyalists should have at minimum been faced formal trial during the transition of power, and he should have publicly acknowledged what he did to the kingdom and explained to the people why he did it. Ugh that would have been SO good and a step forward for his character which was all about deception! Carrying out a coup d'état can't just be glossed over like that. He gets to just keep it all some personal secret until he goes to his grave? Fuck that, that bastard needs some accountability.

Yona wouldn’t win any trial though if she tried that, the whole country hates her father, all the nobles, all the generals. No one gives a shit about him and many people were helped out by Soo-won. I don’t think anyone would want Soo-won punished for killing him, even though it was kinda rude lol. Deserved tho

The whole forgiveness trope made it a bit too far in this story overall imo. I think Yona not killing Soo-won and them peacefully parting ways would’ve sufficed, and would’ve been better in general for both of them. But I get that Soo-won never wanted Yona or Hak dead, and he went very far for them. I also see no other place for Soo-won than an influential political figure, he was born for that stuff. To Yona his knowledge is super useful too as she’s now only learning, and he likes what he’s doing soo🤷‍♀️

Exactly. Chatting over tea with honey when she doesn't even know what he did with her father's body... I'm gonna puke. What would her father think?

Yona wouldn’t win any trial though if she tried that, the whole country hates her father, all the nobles, all the generals one mistake and you’re dead

Yes, but as monarch she needed to establish her legitimacy regardless of popular support. He could still be pardoned, but at least a public acknowledgement of this exceptional case would be a step. Here, she's more a puppet at their whim. They call the shots. One wrong move, it's over.

Why is Hak still more angry than she ever was?

100%. Considering the number of painful, unresolved issues between them (what did he know about Kashi's death, did he investigate? especially considering he comforted her over Kashi's death, etc. etc.), skipping over Yona's arc about overcoming her issues with him was bad.

The whole forgiveness trope made it a bit too far in this story overall imo

She can't say anything? There's no proper communication between these two as equals, who see each other as just themselves.

Sigh. True intimacy involves people who can see each other on the same standing, as they are.

That is the real difference between that dynamic, and Hak and Su-Won's dynamic. Su-Won never told Hak to call him by his title, like "lord". He treated Hak as an equal.

That's probably also why I liked that friendship more. It feels more real.

The power imbalance needed to get addressed, I mean like chapters where Hak and Yona are speaking as two people, ABOUT the status difference and how to break it. Too many kissing panels, instead of actually talking.

That's another thing. There's very little communication between them. Yona never told Hak the reason that Su-Won killed her father, he had to find out from Judo, a man from the usurpers. They weren't really sharing the emotional weight of what they'd been through. Yona also never explained anything about Yon-Hi's diary to Hak. All the bad blood of the royal family was kept from Hak... instead it was Su-Won who told it to him, another man from the usurpers. The communication is so bad!

Then Yona becomes queen, and that structure becomes even more rigid. He remains the subordinate; she remains the person above him. There are plenty of kisses and intense looks, but the most basic language between them still says they are not equals.

A real conversation about that imbalance would have been genuinely romantic. But the manga avoids the very thing that might challenge Hak’s central fantasy: servitude presented as absolute love.

Their lack of communication is also astonishing. Hak learns fundamental things through other people. Yona does not share with him the very conflict that defines her inner and political life. She never truly brings him into that world as an equal. She keeps him in the place where he has always been useful: beside her, armed and available.

And about Yona being sixteen, I find the concern remarkably selective.

Apparently, sixteen is old enough to kill, take part in armed conflicts, be wounded, assume political responsibility, face traffickers, soldiers and kings, and eventually become head of state.

But the moment someone mentions a future wedding, suddenly her age becomes morally alarming.

How convenient.

A real conversation about that imbalance would have been genuinely romantic. But the manga avoids the very thing that might challenge Hak’s central fantasy: servitude presented as absolute love. Yona does not share with him the very conflict that defines her inner and political life. She never truly brings him into that world as an equal. She keeps him in the place where he has always been useful: beside her, armed and available.

100%. Remember this man was telling her to use him as a tool, always selfless and devoted, and the series presents it as romantic...

The way Su-Won had a better conversation with Hak about this problem than Yona did... is astonishing. Then again, those two had the better dynamic.

But the manga avoids the very thing that might challenge Hak’s central fantasy: servitude presented as absolute love.

And Hak does the same thing to himself. He does not see himself beyond his role as her bodyguard. Hak repeatedly offers himself as a tool, and instead of challenging that dynamic, Yona largely accepts it because it benefits and reassures her.

As long as both of them see Hak as a tool rather than as a person, he will never stop being a tool.

I dont think Yona as a character loves Hak merely for his acts of servitude. I'd argue it is Kusanagi who believes that's the main reason fans love Hak, which is why the narrative kept pushing the master-servant dynamic throughout the story.

Yona openly expressed not wanting Hak to be her shield, even before falling in love with him. It was her main motivation to gather the dragons as well as learning self-defense.

But what does the narrative do? It makes him into the literal shield from the prophecy, born only to serve her and die for her.

Yona tries to free Hak and create a more equal dynamic (ch151). What does the narrative do? It twists the situation and makes Hak believe that she's saying she doesn't need him. Furthermore, the resolution of that situation is Hak reinforcing that he's "proud to serve her and to be in that position".

However, what you said about Yona barely sharing information with Hak, while it is also a weakness in their relationship, I believe it also mainly happened for narrative convenience:

▪︎ If Yona had told Hak that the reason Il killed Yuhon was that Yuhon likely murdered Kashi, that Soowon knew it, and that he still kept Kashi's murderer as his bodyguard all these years, there'd be no hope for Hak and Soowon's relationship to ever evolve. Hak had to believe that Il was the one who initiated the conflict, otherwise he would have had no reason to ever consider Soowon's perspective, as shown in this panel:

Their relationship would've remained in square one, with no hope of Hak ever wanting to understand him. Kusanagi (and fans) obviously didn't want that. They wanted the trio's relationship to be mended even if just a little. This story was sadly all about -undeserved- forgiveness🙄

▪︎ Another example: if Yona had told Hak all about Soowon being a Hiryuu descendant and stuff, there'd be very little for Soohak to discuss in ch243, other than *drumroll* addressing the elephant in the room aka the betrayal, which as we talked about, Kusanagi didn't want to happen bc she probably felt incapable of addressing it. That's why she made half Soohak's convo in 243 all about Hak catching up on information Yona conveniently never shared.

▪︎ Finally, when informing Hak of something doesn't interfere with the narrative, Yona is allowed to do it. After all, he's the only person she ever told about her prophetic dreams and the possibility of her inheriting her mother's powers. If anything, that actually served the narrative because it allowed Hak to actively take part in the last arc while being fully away of the dangers and the situation they're in.

I also think it was a bad decision to make him her "shield" (the reason for this is never explained to begin with) when Yona explicitly said that it was the last thing she wanted. Almost like the narrative took away her agency there.

Perhaps, but it's not an excuse. The narrative could have been situated in a way that allowed the relationship to develop properly.

that Soowon knew it, and that he still kept Kashi's murderer as his bodyguard all these years there'd be no hope for Hak and Soowon's relationship to ever evolve Hak had to believe that Il was the one who initiated the conflict This story was sadly all about -undeserved- forgiveness🙄

I remember many months ago a similar discussion was brought up. The problem is that we actually DON'T know what Su-Won knew or when. The story never bothered to explain his thought process about Kashi's death or whether he even knew Hyu-ri was the one responsible, or even what he even thought of Yona getting chased by someone in chapter 1. We don't know the behind the scenes of the coup. There remain huge gaps regarding Su-Won's knowledge and intentions.

But if your headcanon is right, I agree, it was an absolutely cheap manufacturing, then, whatever this "evolving" was. And honestly, I'm angry that Su-Won was never confronted by that, at least by Yona, who he literally comforted over Kashi's death. Everyone just forgets the ugly parts and the narrative never makes him face accountability. What a contrived way to sanitize a character. Su-Won essentially is allowed to stay a manipulative hypocritical opportunist, but the story coddles him with sympathy as some tragic genius.

other than *drumroll* addressing the elephant in the room aka the betrayal, which as we talked about, Kusanagi didn't want to happen bc she probably felt incapable of addressing it. That's why she made half Soohak's convo in 243 all about Hak catching up on information Yona conveniently never shared.

Yeah, a bad decision imo.

The narrative was basically mocking her words. I'm not sure if it was on purpose or if Kusanagi simply forgot she made Yona say that. It makes me question if Hak (and Soowon) was even planned to be the shield (and sword) from the beginning.

Indeed I agree.

I remember many months ago a similar discussion was brought up. The problem is that we actually DON'T know what Su-Won knew or when. The story never bothered to explain his thought process about Kashi's death or whether he even knew Hyu-ri was the one responsible, or even what he even thought of Yona getting chased by someone in chapter 1. We don't know the behind the scenes of the coup. There remain huge gaps regarding Su-Won's knowledge and intentions.

Yeah I believe i was the one who brought it up back then.

What we do know is that Soowon was informed about the possibility of his father having murdered Kashi, and so imo it is his duty to investigate the matter before he decides to avenge his father.

We don't know if he did investigate, or what he found, but we do know for certain that Hyuri is the one who killed Kashi. Imo, if Yona could come to that conclusion with very little evidence, there's no way Soowon, the smartest man in this story, wouldn't have at least suspected it.

There's also that incident where Hiyuri let his bloodthirst for Yona slip and Hak noticed it. It is difficult to imagine that Soowon didn't feel it. He is a strong worrier who trained with Hak ever since they were little, even if he's not on his level.

Then there's the incident where Hyuri chocked Yona for little reason, even though he knows she's the princess and she's currently in an alliance with Soowon. This incident should've tickled Soowon's suspicions further.

That is why I personally believe Soowon might have known or at least strongly suspected his father/ Hyori's crime, but still decided to ignore it.

But if your headcanon is right, I agree, it was an absolutely cheap manufacturing, then, whatever this "evolving" was. And honestly, I'm angry that Su-Won was never confronted by that, at least by Yona, who he literally comforted over Kashi's death. Everyone just forgets the ugly parts and the narrative never makes him face accountability. What a contrived way to sanitize a character. Su-Won essentially is allowed to stay a manipulative hypocritical opportunist, but the story coddles him with sympathy as some tragic genius.

Agreed. I wouldn't surprised though, if just like Hak, Su-Won is in the dark about some things. Even Yona has no idea how the coup was carried out and she also seems to have zero curiosity to. Everyone seems clueless conveniently whenever the plot demands.

we do know for certain that Hyuri is the one who killed Kashi. Imo, if Yona could come to that conclusion with very little evidence, there's no way Soowon, the smartest man in this story, wouldn't have at least suspected it.

Hmm, idk about "little evidence" for Yona since Hyu-ri literally went out of his way to kill her twice.

That whole sequence with Hyu-ri chasing her into Su-Won's room though... we don't have his POV. That entire incident was weird. He sees her and yanks her away from the door. Did he know?

Why the hell didn't he ever order Hyu-ri to not kill Yona all those years? Especially if Hyu-ri was hanging out around the castle near Yona and Su-Won every time...

And if he didn't know... how the fuck? Isn't this the same guy the manga constantly hypes up as some once in a generation political mastermind? The plot sure made him have a low IQ when convenient.

I could see both possibilities. Maybe he figured out why Kashi didn't take Yona into the carriage (Yona deduced it quickly after all). On the other hand, maybe he coped so hard that he refused to believe Yu-Hon could actually kill a child along with Kashi. (Dubious) The story never clarifies.

where Hiyuri let his bloodthirst for Yona slip and Hak noticed it. It is difficult to imagine that Soowon didn't feel it. He is a strong worrier who trained with Hak ever since they were little, even if he's not on his level.

I don't think Hak realized that Hyu-ri was after Yona though. He just saw the bloodthirsty guy and was frightened.

On the other hand, I think Su-Won absolutely could have noticed Hyu-ri's bloodlust towards her, especially if he investigated. So again, why tf did he never tell him to not kill her? Asshole.

I think a case can indeed be made that he knew, Mundok already guessed that not only Kashi, but Yona was targeted by Hyu-ri.

Honestly, if Su-Won didn't know, he's an idiot who didn't do enough research. This guy really wasted 10 years, never bothered to investigate the situation? And I think there's definitely a possible case for this, since he did not even read the damned diary until after his coronation, so what tf was he basing his entire belief system on? Propaganda?

What did he know about the real reason Yu-Hon genocided the priests? The reason his mother actually died, her clan? Did he seriously have no curiosity or interest in knowing? How much of this idiot's worldview was built on half-truths he never bothered to verify? It is true though that people were hiding things from him, but he had 10 years, and it seems like he didn't even try.

But if he did know and ignored it... what a fucking hypocrite. Like how can you comfort a girl after her mother was murdered, learn that it was ordered by your father, never bother to explain the truth, while thinking your father was still in the right lmao??

Did he suddenly think Yona deserved to lose her mother?? Then he decides to take her other parent away?? Like wtf was his thought process? It's such a horrifying contradiction that the story absolutely never interrogated. What a piece of shit.

The only way I can rationalize it is if Su-Won thought her parents were fucking lunatics and he was somehow "saving" Yona the entire time, that Il was this evil father and he was trying to set her free, not betray... that's a leap that that lines up with NOTHING the story showed us. If he had some twisted savior complex, why couldn't he ever tell her? "I saw you as a victim of Il and Kashi. you may hate me now but one day you'll understand, or maybe you can have your revenge later, after the country is saved, but you must be relocated, somewhere safe and free from politics". No, the bastard treats her like she's disposable, hides the truth about her father neglecting her and the country, and is willing to have her murdered instead of protected. It doesn't line up. The asshole knew it was wrong, not saving.

Anyway, even that misguided excuse would have required thorough research that he had 10 fucking years to do, so if he truly believed he was saving Yona from her parents, holy shit that is an important psychology NEVER explored, where tf is the mental gymnastics he had? He somehow expected Hak to protect Yona from the start... so chances are that he knew they'd find out eventually, which suggests some part of him still thought Yona had a future?

None of this is ever explained. If Su-Won truly believed Il's actions justified the coup, then publicly revealing those crimes would actually strengthen his legitimacy. If he had proper evidence, why hide it? Why allow Yona and Hak to see him as nothing but a traitor? Even if there was a reason, it's not explained. Nothing is explained.

Sometimes I wonder if Soowon might not be Kusanagi's favorite character, looking at the amount of slack she cuts him.

She can't say anything? There's no proper communication between these two as equals, who see each other as just themselves.

Sigh. True intimacy involves people who can see each other on the same standing, as they are.

That is the real difference between that dynamic, and Hak and Su-Won's dynamic. Su-Won never told Hak to call him by his title, like "lord". He treated Hak as an equal.

That's probably also why I liked that friendship more. It feels more real.

The power imbalance needed to get addressed, I mean like chapters where Hak and Yona are speaking as two people, ABOUT the status difference and how to break it. Too many kissing panels, instead of actually talking.

That's another thing. There's very little communication between them. Yona never told Hak the reason that Su-Won killed her father, he had to find out from Judo, a man from the usurpers. They weren't really sharing the emotional weight of what they'd been through. Yona also never explained anything about Yon-Hi's diary to Hak. All the bad blood of the royal family was kept from Hak... instead it was Su-Won who told it to him, another man from the usurpers. The communication is so bad!

Then Yona becomes queen, and that structure becomes even more rigid. He remains the subordinate; she remains the person above him. There are plenty of kisses and intense looks, but the most basic language between them still says they are not equals.

A real conversation about that imbalance would have been genuinely romantic. But the manga avoids the very thing that might challenge Hak’s central fantasy: servitude presented as absolute love.

Their lack of communication is also astonishing. Hak learns fundamental things through other people. Yona does not share with him the very conflict that defines her inner and political life. She never truly brings him into that world as an equal. She keeps him in the place where he has always been useful: beside her, armed and available.

And about Yona being sixteen, I find the concern remarkably selective.

Apparently, sixteen is old enough to kill, take part in armed conflicts, be wounded, assume political responsibility, face traffickers, soldiers and kings, and eventually become head of state.

But the moment someone mentions a future wedding, suddenly her age becomes morally alarming.

How convenient.

A real conversation about that imbalance would have been genuinely romantic. But the manga avoids the very thing that might challenge Hak’s central fantasy: servitude presented as absolute love. Yona does not share with him the very conflict that defines her inner and political life. She never truly brings him into that world as an equal. She keeps him in the place where he has always been useful: beside her, armed and available.

100%. Remember this man was telling her to use him as a tool, always selfless and devoted, and the series presents it as romantic...

The way Su-Won had a better conversation with Hak about this problem than Yona did... is astonishing. Then again, those two had the better dynamic.

But the manga avoids the very thing that might challenge Hak’s central fantasy: servitude presented as absolute love.

And Hak does the same thing to himself. He does not see himself beyond his role as her bodyguard. Hak repeatedly offers himself as a tool, and instead of challenging that dynamic, Yona largely accepts it because it benefits and reassures her.

As long as both of them see Hak as a tool rather than as a person, he will never stop being a tool.

I dont think Yona as a character loves Hak merely for his acts of servitude. I'd argue it is Kusanagi who believes that's the main reason fans love Hak, which is why the narrative kept pushing the master-servant dynamic throughout the story.

Yona openly expressed not wanting Hak to be her shield, even before falling in love with him. It was her main motivation to gather the dragons as well as learning self-defense.

But what does the narrative do? It makes him into the literal shield from the prophecy, born only to serve her and die for her.

Yona tries to free Hak and create a more equal dynamic (ch151). What does the narrative do? It twists the situation and makes Hak believe that she's saying she doesn't need him. Furthermore, the resolution of that situation is Hak reinforcing that he's "proud to serve her and to be in that position".

However, what you said about Yona barely sharing information with Hak, while it is also a weakness in their relationship, I believe it also mainly happened for narrative convenience:

▪︎ If Yona had told Hak that the reason Il killed Yuhon was that Yuhon likely murdered Kashi, that Soowon knew it, and that he still kept Kashi's murderer as his bodyguard all these years, there'd be no hope for Hak and Soowon's relationship to ever evolve. Hak had to believe that Il was the one who initiated the conflict, otherwise he would have had no reason to ever consider Soowon's perspective, as shown in this panel:

Their relationship would've remained in square one, with no hope of Hak ever wanting to understand him. Kusanagi (and fans) obviously didn't want that. They wanted the trio's relationship to be mended even if just a little. This story was sadly all about -undeserved- forgiveness🙄

▪︎ Another example: if Yona had told Hak all about Soowon being a Hiryuu descendant and stuff, there'd be very little for Soohak to discuss in ch243, other than *drumroll* addressing the elephant in the room aka the betrayal, which as we talked about, Kusanagi didn't want to happen bc she probably felt incapable of addressing it. That's why she made half Soohak's convo in 243 all about Hak catching up on information Yona conveniently never shared.

▪︎ Finally, when informing Hak of something doesn't interfere with the narrative, Yona is allowed to do it. After all, he's the only person she ever told about her prophetic dreams and the possibility of her inheriting her mother's powers. If anything, that actually served the narrative because it allowed Hak to actively take part in the last arc while being fully away of the dangers and the situation they're in.

I also think it was a bad decision to make him her "shield" (the reason for this is never explained to begin with) when Yona explicitly said that it was the last thing she wanted. Almost like the narrative took away her agency there.

Perhaps, but it's not an excuse. The narrative could have been situated in a way that allowed the relationship to develop properly.

that Soowon knew it, and that he still kept Kashi's murderer as his bodyguard all these years there'd be no hope for Hak and Soowon's relationship to ever evolve Hak had to believe that Il was the one who initiated the conflict This story was sadly all about -undeserved- forgiveness🙄

I remember many months ago a similar discussion was brought up. The problem is that we actually DON'T know what Su-Won knew or when. The story never bothered to explain his thought process about Kashi's death or whether he even knew Hyu-ri was the one responsible, or even what he even thought of Yona getting chased by someone in chapter 1. We don't know the behind the scenes of the coup. There remain huge gaps regarding Su-Won's knowledge and intentions.

But if your headcanon is right, I agree, it was an absolutely cheap manufacturing, then, whatever this "evolving" was. And honestly, I'm angry that Su-Won was never confronted by that, at least by Yona, who he literally comforted over Kashi's death. Everyone just forgets the ugly parts and the narrative never makes him face accountability. What a contrived way to sanitize a character. Su-Won essentially is allowed to stay a manipulative hypocritical opportunist, but the story coddles him with sympathy as some tragic genius.

other than *drumroll* addressing the elephant in the room aka the betrayal, which as we talked about, Kusanagi didn't want to happen bc she probably felt incapable of addressing it. That's why she made half Soohak's convo in 243 all about Hak catching up on information Yona conveniently never shared.

Yeah, a bad decision imo.

The narrative was basically mocking her words. I'm not sure if it was on purpose or if Kusanagi simply forgot she made Yona say that. It makes me question if Hak (and Soowon) was even planned to be the shield (and sword) from the beginning.

She can't say anything? There's no proper communication between these two as equals, who see each other as just themselves.

Sigh. True intimacy involves people who can see each other on the same standing, as they are.

That is the real difference between that dynamic, and Hak and Su-Won's dynamic. Su-Won never told Hak to call him by his title, like "lord". He treated Hak as an equal.

That's probably also why I liked that friendship more. It feels more real.

The power imbalance needed to get addressed, I mean like chapters where Hak and Yona are speaking as two people, ABOUT the status difference and how to break it. Too many kissing panels, instead of actually talking.

That's another thing. There's very little communication between them. Yona never told Hak the reason that Su-Won killed her father, he had to find out from Judo, a man from the usurpers. They weren't really sharing the emotional weight of what they'd been through. Yona also never explained anything about Yon-Hi's diary to Hak. All the bad blood of the royal family was kept from Hak... instead it was Su-Won who told it to him, another man from the usurpers. The communication is so bad!

Then Yona becomes queen, and that structure becomes even more rigid. He remains the subordinate; she remains the person above him. There are plenty of kisses and intense looks, but the most basic language between them still says they are not equals.

A real conversation about that imbalance would have been genuinely romantic. But the manga avoids the very thing that might challenge Hak’s central fantasy: servitude presented as absolute love.

Their lack of communication is also astonishing. Hak learns fundamental things through other people. Yona does not share with him the very conflict that defines her inner and political life. She never truly brings him into that world as an equal. She keeps him in the place where he has always been useful: beside her, armed and available.

And about Yona being sixteen, I find the concern remarkably selective.

Apparently, sixteen is old enough to kill, take part in armed conflicts, be wounded, assume political responsibility, face traffickers, soldiers and kings, and eventually become head of state.

But the moment someone mentions a future wedding, suddenly her age becomes morally alarming.

How convenient.

A real conversation about that imbalance would have been genuinely romantic. But the manga avoids the very thing that might challenge Hak’s central fantasy: servitude presented as absolute love. Yona does not share with him the very conflict that defines her inner and political life. She never truly brings him into that world as an equal. She keeps him in the place where he has always been useful: beside her, armed and available.

100%. Remember this man was telling her to use him as a tool, always selfless and devoted, and the series presents it as romantic...

The way Su-Won had a better conversation with Hak about this problem than Yona did... is astonishing. Then again, those two had the better dynamic.

But the manga avoids the very thing that might challenge Hak’s central fantasy: servitude presented as absolute love.

And Hak does the same thing to himself. He does not see himself beyond his role as her bodyguard. Hak repeatedly offers himself as a tool, and instead of challenging that dynamic, Yona largely accepts it because it benefits and reassures her.

As long as both of them see Hak as a tool rather than as a person, he will never stop being a tool.

I dont think Yona as a character loves Hak merely for his acts of servitude. I'd argue it is Kusanagi who believes that's the main reason fans love Hak, which is why the narrative kept pushing the master-servant dynamic throughout the story.

Yona openly expressed not wanting Hak to be her shield, even before falling in love with him. It was her main motivation to gather the dragons as well as learning self-defense.

But what does the narrative do? It makes him into the literal shield from the prophecy, born only to serve her and die for her.

Yona tries to free Hak and create a more equal dynamic (ch151). What does the narrative do? It twists the situation and makes Hak believe that she's saying she doesn't need him. Furthermore, the resolution of that situation is Hak reinforcing that he's "proud to serve her and to be in that position".

She can't say anything? There's no proper communication between these two as equals, who see each other as just themselves.

Sigh. True intimacy involves people who can see each other on the same standing, as they are.

That is the real difference between that dynamic, and Hak and Su-Won's dynamic. Su-Won never told Hak to call him by his title, like "lord". He treated Hak as an equal.

That's probably also why I liked that friendship more. It feels more real.

The power imbalance needed to get addressed, I mean like chapters where Hak and Yona are speaking as two people, ABOUT the status difference and how to break it. Too many kissing panels, instead of actually talking.

That's another thing. There's very little communication between them. Yona never told Hak the reason that Su-Won killed her father, he had to find out from Judo, a man from the usurpers. They weren't really sharing the emotional weight of what they'd been through. Yona also never explained anything about Yon-Hi's diary to Hak. All the bad blood of the royal family was kept from Hak... instead it was Su-Won who told it to him, another man from the usurpers. The communication is so bad!

Then Yona becomes queen, and that structure becomes even more rigid. He remains the subordinate; she remains the person above him. There are plenty of kisses and intense looks, but the most basic language between them still says they are not equals.

A real conversation about that imbalance would have been genuinely romantic. But the manga avoids the very thing that might challenge Hak’s central fantasy: servitude presented as absolute love.

Their lack of communication is also astonishing. Hak learns fundamental things through other people. Yona does not share with him the very conflict that defines her inner and political life. She never truly brings him into that world as an equal. She keeps him in the place where he has always been useful: beside her, armed and available.

And about Yona being sixteen, I find the concern remarkably selective.

Apparently, sixteen is old enough to kill, take part in armed conflicts, be wounded, assume political responsibility, face traffickers, soldiers and kings, and eventually become head of state.

But the moment someone mentions a future wedding, suddenly her age becomes morally alarming.

How convenient.

A real conversation about that imbalance would have been genuinely romantic. But the manga avoids the very thing that might challenge Hak’s central fantasy: servitude presented as absolute love. Yona does not share with him the very conflict that defines her inner and political life. She never truly brings him into that world as an equal. She keeps him in the place where he has always been useful: beside her, armed and available.

100%. Remember this man was telling her to use him as a tool, always selfless and devoted, and the series presents it as romantic...

The way Su-Won had a better conversation with Hak about this problem than Yona did... is astonishing. Then again, those two had the better dynamic.

But the manga avoids the very thing that might challenge Hak’s central fantasy: servitude presented as absolute love.

And Hak does the same thing to himself. He does not see himself beyond his role as her bodyguard. Hak repeatedly offers himself as a tool, and instead of challenging that dynamic, Yona largely accepts it because it benefits and reassures her.

As long as both of them see Hak as a tool rather than as a person, he will never stop being a tool.

But I can’t get over the fact that it’s hardly acknowledged that Hak is pretty much set up to be the fall guy. Through the story, people mention about how Hak killed the king/rumored Hak killed the kind etc. etc.

And I’m just… I can’t get over that.

Cause if Soo Won was entirely successful with the takeover, Yona and the king are dead… Hak would almost definitely be the fall guy. There’s no way they didn’t think he’d defend the king and the princess. There’s no way they didn’t think he’d fight the opposition.

And even tho Soo Won always suspected Hak would kill him or whatever, if Hak did kill him right away; then this whole thing would be for naught. The only thing that would change could be a power vacuum with no heir.

But no matter the outcome, Hak comes out in the view as the murderer. If the coup had entirely succeeded as planned, he probably would have been killed in defense of the Princess/King. Or if he has survived and taken captive, he probably would have been executed for “killing” the king/princess.

Even if he got away, he wouldn’t be able to go home or at least not stay. It would put his family and clan/tribe in danger. He’d be a wanted criminal (similarly to canon cause it’s often mentioned people think he killed the King).

People mention how much Soo Won affected Yonas life and stuff. And they talk about how Soo Won broke Hal’s trust but oh boy it’s so much more than that too.

Canon is probably the best case scenario for this. Any other way, Hak’s life would be ruined and any other way, he’d be dead or entirely alone.

The original plan of the coup was never stated, but there is a moment where Yona saw Hyu-ri (scary guard that killed her mother) and Hak mentions how he was unsettled by the presence of something foreign in the castle before the coup. Su-Won said that both Yona and Hak had sensed it and to keep an eye out for that. So I believe it's possible that the original plan was likely to pin the death of Il on bandits, similar to how Kashi's death was because of bandits. I'm not sure what Su-Won's entire original plan was, though and I do wish it had been revealed.

Red River went from peak 2000s shojo to where’s the budget in one episode…I mean what even were some of those choppy movements they had Yuri and Kail pulling in those couple jump scenes? And even the backgrounds? In the manga there’s a lot of added detail to make Hattusa and Kail’s residence seem lavish, like a beautiful desert oasis but instead Yuri and the others are often just in front of boring brick walls. Plus I think they needed to change her outfit and make it less of a servants sack. To me it was supposed to look more like a casual open-sided dress and not a bag with a belt. The way they’re styling Yuri unfortunately doesn’t sell us much on why Kail would be so into her or why the people would see her as this alabaster goddess when she looks like a strong wind would blow her over 😂

Short form: Royal Eye of the Roads

Official description

A dignity granted to the person who travels across the Five Tribes in the name of the Crown, listens to the people, inspects roads and settlements, proclaims royal decrees, and reports directly to Her Majesty everything he has witnessed.

Actual description

Su-Won and his loyalists should have at minimum been faced formal trial during the transition of power, and he should have publicly acknowledged what he did to the kingdom and explained to the people why he did it. Ugh that would have been SO good and a step forward for his character which was all about deception! Carrying out a coup d'état can't just be glossed over like that. He gets to just keep it all some personal secret until he goes to his grave? Fuck that, that bastard needs some accountability.

Short form: Royal Eye of the Roads

Official description

A dignity granted to the person who travels across the Five Tribes in the name of the Crown, listens to the people, inspects roads and settlements, proclaims royal decrees, and reports directly to Her Majesty everything he has witnessed.

Actual description

She can't say anything? There's no proper communication between these two as equals, who see each other as just themselves.

Sigh. True intimacy involves people who can see each other on the same standing, as they are.

That is the real difference between that dynamic, and Hak and Su-Won's dynamic. Su-Won never told Hak to call him by his title, like "lord". He treated Hak as an equal.

That's probably also why I liked that friendship more. It feels more real.

The power imbalance needed to get addressed, I mean like chapters where Hak and Yona are speaking as two people, ABOUT the status difference and how to break it. Too many kissing panels, instead of actually talking.

That's another thing. There's very little communication between them. Yona never told Hak the reason that Su-Won killed her father, he had to find out from Judo, a man from the usurpers. They weren't really sharing the emotional weight of what they'd been through. Yona also never explained anything about Yon-Hi's diary to Hak. All the bad blood of the royal family was kept from Hak... instead it was Su-Won who told it to him, another man from the usurpers. The communication is so bad!

Then Yona becomes queen, and that structure becomes even more rigid. He remains the subordinate; she remains the person above him. There are plenty of kisses and intense looks, but the most basic language between them still says they are not equals.

A real conversation about that imbalance would have been genuinely romantic. But the manga avoids the very thing that might challenge Hak’s central fantasy: servitude presented as absolute love.

Their lack of communication is also astonishing. Hak learns fundamental things through other people. Yona does not share with him the very conflict that defines her inner and political life. She never truly brings him into that world as an equal. She keeps him in the place where he has always been useful: beside her, armed and available.

And about Yona being sixteen, I find the concern remarkably selective.

Apparently, sixteen is old enough to kill, take part in armed conflicts, be wounded, assume political responsibility, face traffickers, soldiers and kings, and eventually become head of state.

But the moment someone mentions a future wedding, suddenly her age becomes morally alarming.

How convenient.

A real conversation about that imbalance would have been genuinely romantic. But the manga avoids the very thing that might challenge Hak’s central fantasy: servitude presented as absolute love. Yona does not share with him the very conflict that defines her inner and political life. She never truly brings him into that world as an equal. She keeps him in the place where he has always been useful: beside her, armed and available.

100%. Remember this man was telling her to use him as a tool, always selfless and devoted, and the series presents it as romantic...

The way Su-Won had a better conversation with Hak about this problem than Yona did... is astonishing. Then again, those two had the better dynamic.

But the manga avoids the very thing that might challenge Hak’s central fantasy: servitude presented as absolute love.