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tinysnailtales · 3 months

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Thoughts from reading Yona of the Dawn Ch. 11

Ch.11 in summary: Yona, Hak, and Soo-Won all experience symbolic rebirths and enter a new phase. Thinking Hak and Yona are dead, Soo-Won reaffirms his commitment to his goals as he is crowned king and plans to unite the tribes while Hak and Yona are rescued by Yoon and a larger fate begins to reveal itself.

"Dawn is breaking" as Yona endures her symbolic death + rebirth! More Yona = dawn, especially in Soo-Won's mind. As she has been haunted by him/had him hanging over her, now Soo-Won must really feel the same.

And as Yona experiences her symbolic death and rebirth, we get Soo-Won going through his own symbolic rebirth with the bathing and ~water symbolism~

The "confirmed" death of Yona and Hak has him recommitted to his goals.

A new chapter is starting for all.

"Hiryuu Palace–the palace of the red dragon...symbolizes the ruler of Kouka" – the introduction of the red dragon and the larger story...and the conflict of who is the rightful ruler.

"I swore to myself..that I would return to this palace one day" – part of his recommitment, Soo-Won re-centers himself by reminding himself of his promises and goals. It goes to show just how committed he is, that this sounds more like an obligation to something forged in the past.

Soo-Won genuinely does care for Hak + respect him as a guard/general.

"I want you to marry Princess Yona and become king" "Well, whatever the reason...I want you to marry her highness...You're who I want to be king next" – and Hak genuinely trusts and respects Soo-Won (to the point of trusting him with Yona). Seems like maybe Hak is the one who actually planted the idea of Soo-Won marrying Yona in Soo-Won's brain, so why did he act so shocked when Yona presented it to him? Was it that– an act?

"Impossible! I couldn't marry Yona." "Don't want me after all?" – and Soo-Won always insists marrying Yona is impossible. But Hak refuses to leave Yona's side and is loyal to her first and foremost. The only way to get Hak is through Yona, they are a package deal.

"When that day comes, I'll be your right-hand man. I'll stand by both of you until the very end." – Hak is extremely loyal and GAH poor baby Hak, he wants that childhood dream of the trio staying together forever so bad SOB.

Also interesting that Hak loves Yona but can't imagine a future where he marries her or becomes king hmm...thinks of it as an impossibility in part because of Yona's feelings for Soo-Won? Hak's admiration for Soo-Won might tread into jealousy territory a bit too and he probably thinks Soo-Won is better than him. But like Yona with Soo-Won, he just wants to be by the side of the one(s) he loves.

"I want three meals and a nap every day. Make it happen. It's a sweet deal for you. I'm the Thunder Beast of Kouka, after all." – classic Hak teasing + making light of his dreams for the future/a serious topic.

"'That's...a happy future you're dreaming of.' But...when I become king...I don't think...Yona or Hak will be by my side." – Soo-Won desired that future too to some extent. It sounded happy to him. But he is already set in his plans and determined to see them through.

"Hak. Please...protect Yona" – it really seems like Soo-Won didn't want them hurt or dead, just wanted them out of the picture somehow? What did he originally intend for them? In some ways, things played out how Soo-Won wanted– with Hak protecting Yona and them fleeing + surviving (not that he knows that at the moment, but at first that would have probably made him happy deep down).

"On warm days like this...part of me...is reluctant" – Soo-Won's attachment and love for Hak and Yona almost made him change his mind and give up on his plans. Those feelings for them are strong. But not strong enough to sway him. Regardless, it seems he is prioritizing loyalty to his father over his own happiness.

"I no longer have...a right-hand man...or the girl...who was so warm to me. I crushed them underfoot and cut them down...to bring this day about. I have no hesitations anymore!"

And now, without Hak and Yona, Soo-Won seemingly has no weakness. They were a sacrifice he was willing to make (but were they really? He didn't actively kill them and tried to prevent it by ordering them captured, though he accepts responsibility for their "death" and is honest with himself about how he at least played a role) He looks angry and determined as he his is crowned king, as if accepting this is his fate and like he has been drained of his more conflicting emotions with the removal of Hak and Yona. He won't be held back by compassion or love or attachment. Being alone makes Soo-Won more committed.

"The Fire Tribe...they pretend to serve me, but they've been angling to control the capital for a while now. The Earth Tribe only obeys a strong master. The Water Tribe is waiting to see how things unfold. And the Wind Tribe...they've bowed under the pressure put on them, but they still have many powerful warriors. When they learn of Hak's death, they may turn on me." – again, Soo-Won has a good grasp on the political situation and recognizes when people are putting on a front. You can kind of tell this is where his attention has been.

“The Kai Empire to the north and the nations of Xing and Sei to the south will probably be paying close attention to the fact that Kouka has a new king. But first…I must unite these divided tribes” – Soo-Won presents the potential to be a good ruler in spite of how he got here. Though it feels a little contradictory that Soo-Won's good intentions and desire to unite Kouka is being achieved through murder and some division. He seems like he subscribes to the ends justifying the means and is very focused on strategy (I'm seeing him as having some overlap with Lakan in my Apothecary Diaries comparisons in terms of viewing people as pawns, but in contrast, he has to actively squash his compassion and humanity)

I guess you could say Soo-Won has become an embodiment of what Hak hates about nobility + royalty, especially with how he insists his whole persona with Hak and Yona was a lie used to achieve his goals. It's no wonder Hak insists he will never forgive Soo-Won.

"As you know, priests no longer dwell within this palace. But...our god above is still watching" – a slight from Mundok. "As you know" aka "because of your father." And basically "you are being judged." I could use some clarification on the religion here– is there one god or multiple (since aren't the dragons gods?) Either way, Mundok seems attached to the "old ways" and to be more spiritually inclined.

"As for what you plan to achieve...and what you will sacrifice to attain it...Well, I'm an old man. I want to see those things...before I join the late King Il." – Mundok clocks Soo-Won's "the ends justify the means" thinking and basically assumes the worst (like him sacrificing Hak and Yona, which is backed by evidence and something he is poking at here along with the killing of King Il). Mundok is making his allegiances clear.

"But if the heavens only watch...what difference do they make? I want the power of people not god. I will...restore the kingdom of Kouka to the strength and glory it possessed...under past kings! Anything that stands in my way...even the heavens...will be crushed." – Soo-Won rejects the heavens and gods. He presents something I think the story will explore overall: fate vs. personal action, gods vs. people. Interestingly, Yona will kind of become a combination of the two, using the power of the gods but also focusing on the people. Maybe that is what is needed. Her connection to god/fate also naturally opposes Soo-Won's people-based position.

Also just...damn Soo-Won. Intense to declare you won't be intimidated by the heavens/gods. And he returns Mundok's energy/slight, emphasizing "the strength and glory" Kouka possessed under "past" kings (not King Il) and affirming yes, he was willing to sacrifice Hak and Yona and is willing to crush others too. It also works as a threat.

Still conflicted on what makes the "real" Soo-Won, but I suppose he could be speaking this tough "King Soo-Won" into existence. Maybe his words aren't completely honest/reflective of him on the inside, but by putting them out there, he shifts into the person who would do and say those things. I think he presents more confidence than he has, but he did actually kill King Il, so it's not like he is completely incapable of being what he presents.

"When did...that look enter your eyes? Will I ever see...that kind smile again?" – Yona, then Hak, and now Mundok must grapple with the shift they see in Soo-Won and consider who he really is (+ reconsider the Soo-Won they knew and whether or not it was a lie). They all have moments of "Who are you? I don't recognize you."

What look does Mundok see specifically? Hatred? Will there be a Soo-Won = hatred, Yona = love opposition? But Soo-Won is driven by love and loyalty too, and he does want what he thinks is best for Kouka. Complicated, contradictory Soo-Won continues (and I love it)

Yona wakes! The symbolic rebirth begins. But again, even at a time like this, Yona thinks of Soo-Won. A bit instinctual as she is being taken care of, like Soo-Won used to do for her. Goes to show that even in this rebirth/new chapter, Soo-Won will follow her. She's not free of him, yet (if ever).

Poor Yona, constantly coming to being like "Where the fuck am I? What is happening?"

She woke up pretty (understandably) out of it, but when she comes back to herself, Yona's thoughts go instantly to Hak.

Yona's choppy hair, with some long strands remaining, shows a sort of partial transformation. It has not been complete yet. And Hak, wrapped up in bandages, looks like he's in a sort of cocoon, undergoing his own metamorphosis. (or a mummy! Cracking down on the symbolic death part)

All members of the trio get their transformation/rebirth moment.

"'H-Hak...' 'He's alive. Barely. I managed to extract the poison from his body...but there's a stab wound in his chest and he's badly bruised all over. He also has some broken ribs, and there was a lot of blood...He would have died if I hadn't found you when I did." – Yona gets a very clear picture of how far Hak will go for her/how much he will endure and sacrifice himself for her.

"He probably protected you...when you fell. You were on the ground and he was holding you" – it must hurt, or feel like a failure, knowing Yona tried to protect him and he ended up protecting her. Knowing she is partially to blame for his state.

"He's awfully devoted to you. What is he? Your lover?" "No, nothing like that." "Hmm...poor guy, then." – lol @ more people clocking Hak's love for and devotion to Yona. But I think here we see in how affected she is how devoted she is to him in turn. And listen, Yona doesn't owe him romantic feelings, but (seemingly) unrequited love sucks.

Yona presents her obliviousness about Hak's love for her, but again, if their relationship is "nothing like that" then what is it like, Yona? Just your casual "he would die for me and I would die for him" relationship. I think perhaps Yona does not realize or understand the depth of her feelings for Hak, partially because she was too preoccupied by Soo-Won (I'm probably repeating myself. Oh well)

It's funny that she could recognize that Soo-Won wasn't in love with her but can't recognize that Hak is, especially since she came to understand love/love Soo-Won through the concepts of care and protection. "What is love?" might be an idea explored by Yona throughout her journey.

"'I'm...' Maybe I shouldn't say my name. They don't seem like bad people...but we're near Fire Tribe lands" – Yona is learning! And adapting to her on-the-run life

"You've been through...such a difficult time...I'm impressed that you undertook your journey. I mean, you're Princess Yona...it's quite admirable." – Ik-Soo recognizes her bravery and strength and she deserves that!! And despite what Yona has recently endured, she has been feeling and crying for a lot of other people, so it is nice to see someone (even if the overly emotional Ik-Soo) cry for her!

"'Wait...how do you know...about me?' 'A message from god...'" – and so Yona's "true" (and fated) importance begins...

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