|
|
 |
Management Consultant Yul Kwon Winner on TV’s Survivor
Initially controversial reality show ends up a
"showcase for diversity"
AAV Staff
December 18, 2006 - In
Sunday’s season finale of the hit reality show Survivor: Cook Islands,
Korean-American business consultant Yul Kwon of San Mateo took the top
prize of $1 million after winning 5
out of 9 votes cast by a jury of his former competitors. He was
selected from a field of three finalists, including a Mexican-American
man, Oscar (Ozzie) Lusth, and Becky Lee, also a Korean American.
Known for his cerebral, highly calculated style of
play, the 31 year old with degrees from Stanford and Yale was positioned
by the show’s producers as “the brains” of the group this season, while
Lusth wholly dominated in the physical challenges that contestants
underwent each episode.
Having gained an advantage through early discovery
of an idol that provided him with one-time immunity from elimination,
Kwon coordinated a rock-solid strategic alliance with his fellow
finalists and with African-American actress Sundra Oakley, maneuvering
the outnumbered underdog team past 8 rivals to arrive intact as the
finale’s “final four”.
Although the season began in controversy, pitting
Asians, Blacks, Whites and Latinos against each other in racially
segregated teams, the game’s twists and turns, personalities and
relationships transformed the show into what became a dramatic and at
times fascinating experiment in diversity, coalition-building and
community.
Speaking to the final jury, Kwon asserted that the
under-representation of strong Asian American figures – especially men –
in mainstream media was a major motivation for his participation in the
show. Indeed, many of the contestants claimed to feel some
responsibility to conduct themselves and represent their groups
positively; the final four all expressed gratification to have succeeded
on behalf of Asian Americans (Kwon and Lee), Mexican Americans (Lusth),
and African Americans (Oakley).
However, Kwon also maintained that the show
provided a “showcase” for the effectiveness of diversity, loyalty and
interpersonal relationships toward reaching a common goal.
|
