A Yulogy: in however many parts I want, bcos this is my blog and not yours
My man Yul overcame an 4-8 deficit, won against the most dominant challenge competitor of all time, worked in FAANG senior management, returned to a deserted island after 14 years of radio silence, did his homework and pulled together a disparate alliance in day 1, became the paragon of Asian representation in late-2000s America and let's not forget, raised $200k for ALS research to help a former tribemate in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic
Just to be voted out by some half past 6 pre-game alliance
...
If you're walking in the street and pass someone caterwauling in anguish, please remember to say Hi! I promise I won't bite (if I haven't collapsed in a puddle of tears yet)
Ngl, as excruciating as his elimination was, it was a surreal experience to watch Yul Kwon play again. Winning Survivor is by far the least impressive achievement on his resume, and he had absolutely no reason to return and endanger his position at Facebook and Google. As I never watched Cook Islands live, watching him play this time was like seeing a legend come alive. The tales of "Godfather Yul", fuelled by countless YouTube compilations and trips down one too many trivia rabbit holes, have been seared into my memory and to a youthful mind in flux, he epitomised everything I aspired to be: ambitious, resourceful, far-sighted, strong, intelligent, unabashedly nerdy, magnanimous, and proud of his cultural roots.
In time to come, there will be many self-anointed "Kings" and "Queens", "r.obbed goddesses" and "fallen angels", but there can only be one Yul Kwon.
