He’s called the Thunder Beast for a reason. If you’ve spent any time in the Yona of the Dawn (Akatsuki no Yona) fandom, you know that Son Hak isn't just another brooding love interest. He’s the backbone of the entire series. Honestly, most shonen or shojo bodyguards feel like cardboard cutouts designed to look cool while the protagonist does the heavy lifting, but Mizuho Kusanagi did something different with Hak. She gave us a character whose strength is actually his greatest burden.
It's weird. Usually, the "super strong guy" in an adventure story is the one with all the answers. Not Hak. From the very first chapter, when he’s forced to watch the Kouka Kingdom collapse and the girl he loves lose her entire world, he’s out of his depth. He’s a general who can’t lead his army and a friend who can’t fix his friend's heart. That’s the core of Yona of the Dawn Hak—he’s a man defined by what he couldn't protect, despite being the strongest warrior in the land.
The Weight of the Thunder Beast Title
People forget that Hak was a general of the Wind Tribe at eighteen. Think about that for a second. While most teenagers are trying to figure out their lives, Hak was responsible for the safety of an entire region. He didn't ask for it. He was adopted into the Son family by Mundok, and he spent his life trying to live up to a legacy he felt he didn't deserve.
His fighting style is brutal. Unlike the elegant, almost supernatural movements of the Four Dragons, Hak fights like a man who knows he’s human. He uses a Hsu Quandao—a massive glaive—with a level of proficiency that puts him on par with the legendary dragon warriors. But here’s the kicker: he does it without any divine blood. No dragon scales, no immortality, no jump-boosts. Just raw, terrifying effort.
It’s this humanity that makes him compelling. When he faces off against Gija (the White Dragon) for the first time, it’s a clash of ideologies as much as weapons. Gija has the "destiny" to protect Yona. Hak just has his hands and his willpower. It creates this fascinating tension where Hak constantly feels like he’s being replaced by fate, even though he’s the one who’s been there since day one.
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Why the Relationship with Soo-won Changes Everything
You can't talk about Yona of the Dawn Hak without talking about the betrayal. Most stories would make the rivalry between Hak and Soo-won a simple "good vs. evil" thing. But it’s messy. Hak didn't just lose his King; he lost his best friend. He’s the one who wanted Soo-won and Yona to get married. He was ready to step aside, give up his own feelings, and serve them both for the rest of his life.
That’s a heavy level of self-sacrifice.
When Soo-won kills Emperor Il, Hak’s entire world view shatters. The rage he carries isn't just because of the murder; it's because the person he trusted most proved that his own loyalty was a joke. Throughout the manga—especially in the later arcs like the Xing Kingdom or the Sky Castle arc—we see Hak struggling with a murderous bloodlust that scares even him. He’s not a "cinnamon roll" hero. He’s a guy who legitimately wants to rip his former friend's throat out, and the series doesn't shy away from how ugly that emotion is.
A Growth Trajectory That Actually Makes Sense
Most characters grow in a straight line. Hak grows in circles. He starts as a cynical protector, then becomes a vengeful ghost, and slowly, very slowly, learns to become a leader again.
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- The Fugitive Era: He’s just trying to keep Yona alive. He’s exhausted, injured, and emotionally drained.
- The Dragon Gathering: He has to learn to trust other men to protect Yona, which is a huge blow to his ego.
- The General's Return: He eventually has to confront the fact that he still cares about the Wind Tribe and the soldiers he left behind.
Watching him interact with the Hunger Herb or dealing with the political machinations of the Kai Empire shows a side of him that isn't just "big spear go smash." He’s smart. He understands battlefield tactics better than almost anyone in the series. He’s a tactician who happens to have the physical stats of a boss monster.
The Misconception of the "Simp" Archetype
Some casual readers dismiss Hak as just being "obsessed" with Yona. That’s a shallow take. If you look at the dialogue in the manga, Hak is often the only person who treats Yona like a person instead of a deity or a fragile doll. He pushes her. He mocks her (lovingly). He lets her make mistakes.
The famous "honey" scene or the various moments of tension between them work because they are built on a decade of shared history. Hak’s struggle to remain "just a servant" while being deeply in love with her is one of the most well-executed slow-burn romances in the medium. It’s not about possession; it’s about the terrifying reality of loving someone who has a destiny that might not include you.
Realism in Fantasy Combat
Kusanagi deserves credit for how she handles Hak’s injuries. In many series, the main guy gets stabbed and is fine in the next panel. Hak carries scars. He gets infections. He passes out from blood loss. In the battle against the Fire Tribe or the skirmishes at the border, we see the toll it takes on a human body to fight like a god.
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There’s a specific moment in the manga where Hak is so injured he can barely stand, yet he’s still the most intimidating presence on the field. This isn't because of "shonen power-ups." It's because of his reputation. The "Thunder Beast" isn't just a nickname; it's a psychological weapon. Enemies hesitate because they’ve heard the stories. That’s a very real-world military concept—the idea of a "force multiplier" through reputation alone.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Exile
A common talking point is that Hak "abandoned" his tribe. In reality, his choice to leave the Wind Tribe was a masterclass in political maneuvering. By declaring himself a rogue and taking the "blame" for Yona’s disappearance, he shielded Mundok and the others from Soo-won’s immediate retribution. He traded his status, his home, and his future to give his people plausible deniability.
He’s a man who thrives in the shadows so others can live in the light. It’s a bit of a cliché, sure, but Hak wears it with such grit that it feels earned. He doesn't complain about it. He doesn't mope in a corner. He just picks up his glaive and moves to the next forest.
How to Appreciate Hak's Character Arc Even More
If you want to truly get the most out of Yona of the Dawn Hak and his journey, you need to look past the surface-level action.
- Read the Manga Over the Anime: The anime is great, but it barely scratches the surface. The real meat of Hak’s development happens during the Water Tribe and Xing arcs, which haven't been animated yet.
- Pay Attention to the Silences: Kusanagi is a master of drawing Hak’s face when he thinks Yona isn't looking. The sadness there tells more of the story than any internal monologue.
- Analyze the Parallels with Keishuk: Compare how Hak treats his subordinates versus how the high officials of the Sky Tribe treat theirs. It reveals why Hak is the superior leader, even without a crown.
- Track the Weapon Changes: Notice how Hak’s reliance on his glaive changes when he’s forced into close-quarters combat or when he has to fight alongside the Dragons. He adapts his style to complement theirs, showing his growth as a team player.
Hak represents the peak of the "devoted protector" trope because he’s allowed to be flawed. He’s jealous, he’s angry, and sometimes he’s incredibly selfish. But at the end of the day, he’s the guy who will stand in front of an army with a broken rib and a dull blade just because he promised someone he’d stay. That’s not just a bodyguard; that’s a legendary character.
Instead of just watching for the romance, watch how Hak handles the transition from a man of war to a man of peace. It’s a much harder battle than anything he’s ever faced with a spear in his hand. If you're looking for the next step in your Yona journey, go back and re-read the Zeno arc—seeing Hak’s reaction to the "immortal" dragon’s pain puts his own mortality into a whole new perspective. It’s a sobering reminder that while the dragons are eternal, Hak is burning twice as bright for half as long.