Yona begins as the sheltered princess and sole heir of Kouka Kingdom, daughter of Emperor Il and Queen Kashi. Her early life within Hiryuu Castle offered privilege but isolation from the kingdom's political tensions and societal struggles. This existence shattered on her sixteenth birthday when she witnessed her cousin Soo-won assassinate her father and seize the throne, forcing her to flee with her childhood friend and bodyguard, Hak. Her mother, Kashi, had been assassinated years earlier by Yu-hon, Soo-won’s father. Physically, Yona possesses a short stature, fair skin, and distinctive violet eyes. Her most striking feature is her wavy crimson hair, inherited not from her parents but tied to her identity as the reincarnation of Kouka’s founding Crimson Dragon King, King Hiryuu. Initially self-conscious about it, she later wears it short after cutting it to evade capture, though it gradually regrows. Her typical attire includes a hooded cape for concealment, a white undergown with a red vest, and a light pink sash. She often wore her mother’s yellow-and-jade earrings but ceased after an unspecified incident during her travels. Yona's personality undergoes profound change. Beginning naive, sheltered, and somewhat self-centered, her father’s murder and exile shatter her worldview. Traumatized yet resilient, she channels grief into resolve, rejecting vengeance against Soo-won despite his betrayal. She acknowledges his competence in strengthening Kouka and recognizes her father’s passive rule had weakened it. Maturely prioritizing her people’s welfare over reclaiming the throne, she still insists on being addressed as "Princess" to honor her lineage. Her journey reveals adaptability, compassion, and a strong sense of justice, driving her to aid impoverished communities. However, she remains emotionally dense regarding romantic advances, often unintentionally making suggestive remarks. Her development includes acquiring practical skills. Initially defenseless, she trains rigorously in archery under Hak and Yoon, progressing from ineptitude to lethal precision, capable of firing hundreds of arrows in training and decisive combat shots. She also learns swordsmanship from Hak. These skills empower her to actively defend her companions. Guided by the priest Ik-Su, her quest focuses on locating the four legendary Dragon Warriors—Kija, Shin-ah, Jae-ha, and Zeno—descendants of the original dragons bound to serve King Hiryuu's reincarnation. They join her journey alongside Hak and Yoon, an orphaned healer and strategist. This group, humorously dubbed "The Happy Hungry Bunch," becomes her surrogate family. Traveling Kouka, they confront regional conflicts and corruption. Yona grapples with her father’s flawed legacy and her duty to rectify it. Her actions, like negotiating with tribal leaders or risking her life for others, inspire loyalty among citizens who see her as the divine Hiryuu reborn. Emotionally, she carries lasting trauma from her father’s death, experiencing flashbacks and anxiety upon returning to Hiryuu Castle. Her relationship with Soo-won remains complex; she cannot forgive him but accepts his role in stabilizing Kouka, leading to uneasy cooperation against threats like the kingdom of Kai. Her bond with Hak deepens into mutual reliance and romantic tension, rarely acknowledged openly. With the Dragons and Yoon, she shares profound camaraderie. Zeno, the immortal Yellow Dragon, occasionally challenges the group due to his belief that their deaths might end the dragons’ curse. Her story extends beyond finding the Dragons. She forms alliances, like with Lili of the Water Tribe, to combat issues like drug trafficking. Later, she negotiates with Kye-Sook, Soo-won’s advisor, to prevent civil war, resulting in her temporary return to the castle. Throughout, she balances her symbolic role as Hiryuu’s heir with her human vulnerabilities, striving for peace while haunted by her past.