Brainy Manager Is Cook Islands 'Survivor'

Yul Kwon Collects His $1M Check On The Early Show

(AP)  His former competitors awarded Yul Kwon, the "godfather" of the CBS game "Survivor: Cook Islands," with the $1 million top prize Sunday in a classic finale that pitted brains vs. brawn.

Kwon, a management consultant who was the soft-spoken strategic whiz in the 13th edition of the game, bested Oscar "Ozzy" Lusth, the effortless athlete who dominated physical challenges as the game neared its end. He received his prize money at The Early Show on Monday.

"I feel like I am living a dream," Kwon told The Early Show co-anchor Julie Chen. "It hasn't sunk in yet and I hope it never does."

With the money on the line, it was a 5-4 vote.

"It's the first time I've ever felt bad that somebody didn't win," host Jeff Probst said. "It was so evenly matched."

Kwon, a 31-year-old management consultant who lives in San Mateo, Calif., was the brain with degrees from Stanford University and Yale Law School. He controlled the strategic aspect of the game, particularly after he found a hidden piece of jewelry that guaranteed him one-time immunity from being voted off the island.

"I knew it was going to be close," Kwon said. "Ozzy is a phenomenal competitor, probably the strongest competitor ever to appear on the show. I felt both of us deserved to win. I can't say either one deserved it more. I would be so happy for him if he won, but when they had the last vote to go. I had no idea what the vote would be."

Lusth, who has two years of Santa Barbara City College on his resume and works as a waiter near the surf in Venice, Calif., mastered the tropical game's challenges. He won two very different ones on the show's final two-hour telecast Sunday: winning a race to complete a complex puzzle, and showing his endurance by standing on a tiny platform for two and a half hours. He was presented with a check for $100,000 on The Early Show.

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Video: Winner Yul Kwon
Video: Host Jeff Probst
Video: Runner-up Ozzy Lusth

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"I had a feeling that Yul had won … just a feeling I had had since early August," Lusth said. "And he deserved it — great guy."For the first time, "Survivor" brought a third contestant into the final vote, but 28-year-old Rebekah "Becky" Lee was a non-factor.

For a game that began in racial controversy, it turned into a showcase for the nation's diversity, according to Kwon.

"Survivor" producers were criticized for segregating four, four-person teams along ethnic lines at the game's start: white, black, Hispanic and Asian American. Despite the racial divides this year, the game seemed less contentious and bitter than in other seasons. Kwon said that the cast was very likeable and filled with "genuinely good-hearted people."

"I don't think there was a single person who harbored any racist attitude on the show," he said. "Obviously tensions run high during the show but everyone was able to put it behind them and coming together at the library reunion, everyone was happy to have the experience."

Kwon said earlier that he wanted to do the show to improve and expand the image of Asian-Americans and he hoped that he achieved his goal

"I don't think I was the best person to represent my community, but I had this golden opportunity in my lap," he said. "I wanted to break stereotypes. When I was growing up, I didn't see many that looked like myself that could be a role model."

The game's final four contestants included a black woman, a Mexican-born man and two Asian-Americans. The fourth was Sundra Oakley, a 31-year-old actress from Los Angeles.

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Video: Contestant Sundra Oakley
Video: Contestant Becky Lee
Video: Contestant Adam Gentry

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Those four people made up the game's Aitu tribe, which at one point competed against the eight-member Raro tribe. Methodically, that core group of four voted all eight of the others out of the game, the final one Sunday being Adam Gentry, 28, a copying machine salesman who lives in San Diego.

Lee hoped to garner votes by convincing her former tribe members that she had mastered the social aspect of the game, in order to survive so long.

They weren't buying it, particularly after Lee and Oakley had to compete in a tie-breaking contest that required them to build and sustain a fire. After an hour failing with a flint, Probst gave them matches. Lee won because Oakley ran out of matches.

"After 35 days out here, you should both know how to make fire," Probst scolded.

[roger42ctc]

I want to be a miilionaire

[clairblue]

The two best players made it to the final -- Ozzie & Yul. Both men played the game extremely well using different strategies. I would have been happy had either won the $1 million. I would love to see an All Stars with Ozzie and Terry, from last season, going up against one another--both men were amazing in the challenges. I haven't missed a Survivor yet and hope to enjoy many more seasons of competition.

[dragonmouse-2009]

I was for Ozzy my son was for Yul. I was so happy to see both sitting beside one another...I really didn't care who won. They were both very very good players. Yul played a bit more "strategically"...Ozzy played more "athletically". Ozzy made out quite well. In several instances I felt like Yul held back a bit since he KNEW he was safe. Many times Yul and Ozzy were quite "close".

And so what if Yul made an "alliance" with Adam. That's part of the strategy. Part of the game.

And don't worry much. Ozzy will probably be seeing quite a few "endorsements"...he'll have PLENTY of money to go around. Besides I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see him on another "All Stars".

P.S. Winning survivors cannot share winnings. It's against the rules.

[elequant]

Yul and Ozzie had great strategic differences. One succeeded in using his intelligence and the other his ultimate survival skills which is without food there is no survival. In the challenges if it wasn't for Ozzi and his hunting skills in order to feed his team I don't believe many would have not been able to reap the rewards from them. As for Ozzie I commend him on using his calm demeanor to manipulate himself to a win...All in all there should have been 2 mil . one for each . They played an awesome challenge. I wish them both success . Kindly
Deborah Marie

[andreasm-2009]

Every time I try to watch a video of The Early Show I can't. It shows Media Player not installed. However I have both Real Player and Windows installed but I cannot find any way to open or watch the video chosen.

[smilax-2009]

The jury got it SO WRONG!

Yul used the idol well but all he did was find the idol.

Ozzy didn't just beat everyone, he CREAMED everyone!

I don't know these two personally so I'll try to refrain from trying to discern those details but I venture to say that Ozzy is every bit as deserving as Yul.

Scenarios for the future:

1) "Survivor" hires Ozzy.

2) Jury works themselves to the bone to hand Ozzy $2M.

3) Ozzy & Stephany (Palau?) team-up and take-on 18 other contestants.

[freezulu]

Ozzy is the true SURVIVOR and isn't that the name of the show? He made Tarzan look like a cub scout. He would make an excellent United States Navy Seal - somebody sign this man up!

[dude1946]

Well I agree with the people that say that Ozzie should have won. The only reason Ozzie did not win is that Jonathan didn't want to give the money to a 25 year old. Instead he gives the million to a 31 year old duh big difference not. There is social skills involved when you provide and feed everyone, I dare say that I never once saw Ozzie talking about getting rid of one of his teammates. I can't say the same for Yul and Becky, they were talking about getting rid of Ozzie before the last challenge. It must have really ticked them off when Ozzie won final immunity. I was really disappointed that it was not Sondra in the final instead of Becky at least she won hung in there with Ozzie in the final challenge.

My take on Yul is that he was over confident and I did not like how he sucked up to everyone all game long. Personally if I had been voting he would have been the last person I would have voted for. When he brought back Jonathan's hat and he was queried on his motives I thought his explanation was lame.

Anyway glad Ozzie won the popularity contest and the car as well as the $100,000.oo.

[dude1946]

Well I agree with the people that say that Ozzie should have won. The only reason Ozzie did not win is that Jonathan didn't want to give the money to a 25 year old. Instead he gives the million to a 31 year old duh big difference not. There is social skills involved when you provide and feed everyone, I dare say that I never once saw Ozzie talking about getting rid of one of his teammates. I can't say the same for Yul and Becky, they were talking about getting rid of Ozzie before the last challenge. It must have really ticked them off when Ozzie won final immunity. I was really disappointed that it was not Sondra in the final instead of Becky at least she won hung in there with Ozzie in the final challenge.

My take on Yul is that he was over confident and I did not like how he sucked up to everyone all game long. Personally if I had been voting he would have been the last person I would have voted for. When he brought back Jonathan's hat and he was queried on his motives I thought his explanation was lame.

Anyway glad Ozzie won the popularity contest and the car as well as the $100,000.oo.

[jhl123456]

Thank you! Seriously, when did Yul ever lie?
Yul played a strategic game using his brain, and he's getting slammed for it. I don't recall that being smart was a bad thing? And, why should he have to share the money? It's called "Survivor" and NOT "Survivors".

[onelogic]

Seems to me kind of curious. I found Ozzy to be more intelligent and a better strategic player than he was given credit for. Also, I found Yul to be only second to Ozzy in terms of the physical game. Maybe if Yul stepped up in the individual immunity challenges or if Ozzy showcased his intelligence to the extent that Yul did, the outcome would've been different. This didn't happen, so the vote ended up being close instead of some kind of blowout.

The only other survivor I liked was Jonathan. I actually thought he played a *** good game.

[jngx]

Oh and to fvagado. I love how you say you won't watch another episode because it's all about deception. But this season's ending should prove you wrong. We had four people who stuck together as a team and made it to the final four.

In other seasons you would've had "team members" making secret alliances at the end to oust one of their own.

[jngx]

To the people who say Ozzie played a better game -how exactly did he play a better game? From the show it looked like he provided food and then just went into the challenges. It seemed like he barely interacted with anyone else. That's not the essence of Survivor.

And some people are making Yul like he was a big liar or deceiver. With the exception of Jonathan did he lie to anyone else (did he even promise anything to Jonathan)? He manipulated but I don't remember him blatantly lying. Seriously he used the immunity idol perfectly; it was ingenious.

[samthetvcat]

That's a totally fair opinion Wendy - just wanted to point out the possible benefits of having a social skill set to people who are quick to pass judgment on the morality of reality show contestants. lol, thx for reminding us all it's just a tv show :)

[wendy259]

I think Yul was a great competitor, but OZZY deserved to win......he may have been the "strongest" at competing and Yul may have been the one who was suposively making all the "decisions", but Ozzy was most definitely the better competitor.

Let me remind you people, it was just a game!!
I don't care about your opinions, I'm just saying what I think.
By the way, I think Ozzy is really handsome!!
Even though Oscar Lusth didn't win the game, at least he got a hundred thousand dollars! and a brand new car!

thank you,
wendy

[samthetvcat]

Just as an example of how 'deception' can be socially useful in a business environment - say you're technically bright but work in a cut-throat environment where people who have a reasonable amount of technical talent but a lot of ambition and a lot of charisma have just naturally risen to become the boss' favorite and you get equal pay even though you put out superior work. What are you going to do? Cry foul? You really think ANY boss will agree that you are justified and that he was unfair and that you deserve more $? Let's say instead that you present your case on why you deserve a raise. Don't you think the sweettalker will also be able to match your raise and probably get a free parking pass to boot?

Would you know how to play this game so that you aren't left feeling slighted and get the respect you deserve? I don't see how that's possible unless you embrace 'deception'/'manipulation' as a necessary evil of business life.

[williamfold]

I thought both guys played well, however I would have liked to see Ozzie win the top prize.

While I understand that the game is pretty much anything goes, maybe it says something about our society that we reward the player who benefits from deception. I don't mean to take anything away from Yul, he played a good game. Personally, I just feel Ozzie was more deserving. In my mind, he played the all around better game.

[williamfold]

I thought both guys played well, however I would have liked to see Ozzie win the top prize.

While I understand that the game is pretty much anything goes, maybe it says something about our society that we reward the player who benefits from deception. I don't mean to take anything away from Yul, he played a good game. Personally, I just feel Ozzie was more deserving. In my mind, he played the all around better game.

[samthetvcat]

Um - gee I guess you're an Ozzy fan who's disappointed he didn't win. Personally, I've found in life in every social environment I've ever been in achievement only counts for about 50% - the political game is just as important. I wish somebody had taught me that when I was a kid instead of having to learn the hard way that you don't always get rewarded for excelling in life if that's all you bring to the table. My point being that clearly merit counts but that in my opinion it's not all that counts and if you teach your children that that's all that counts and neglect social skills (what you call 'manipulation' and I call political savvy), you're setting them up to be eaten alive. jmo.

[fvagado]

I AM VERY UPSET TO SEE WHO THE WINNER WAS. I HAD TO STOP WATCHING THE SHOW JUST TO GO THROW UP. I BELIEVE SURVIVOR SHOULD HAVE THEIR NAME CHANGED TO DECEIVERS; THAT WAY NO ONE WILL BE DISAPPOINTED WHEN THE WINNER IS A MANIPULATOR/DECEIVER. BECAUSE AS FAR AS SURVIVORS GO, OZZY WAS THE ONLY TRUE SURVIVOR; HE FOUGHT TOOTH AND NAIL TO GET TO WHERE HE WANTED TO GET TO AND FOR THE SURVIVOR CAST TO NAME YUL THE WINNER, WELL IT WAS JUST TOO DISAPPOINTING. I AM REGRETFULLY REFUSING TO WATCH ANOTHER SURVIVOR SHOW EVER AGAIN; UNLESS YOU CHANGE THE NAME TO DECEIVERS. I BELIEVE THIS SHOW IS TEACHING YOUNGSTERS THAT WATCH THE SHOW THAT IT IS OKAY TO DECEIVE AND MANIPULATE IN ORDER TO GET WHAT YOU WANT, AND THAT JUST DOESN'T FLY WITH ME OR MY FAMILY. WELL, FOR THOSE WHO VOTED FOR YUL, WELL ALL I CAN SAY IS, IT TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE.