A Lost Star Defended the Show’s Controversial Ending 15 Years Later (& He’s Completely Right)

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Even fifteen years after its controversial ending, Daniel Dae Kim stands by the decision to leave some mysteries unsolved in Lost. Created by J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof, and Carlton Cuse, Lost was a groundbreaking and hugely popular TV show that aired from 2004 to 2010. The series followed the passengers of Oceanic Flight 815 after a plane crash on a strange island, and it raised the bar for science fiction adventure shows on television.

Often hailed as one of the best TV shows ever made, Lost won many awards and nominations during its six seasons. This created high expectations for the series finale, which generally delivered a successful conclusion. Despite this, the ending proved controversial, leaving many viewers frustrated with unresolved questions and unclear fates for several characters. Fifteen years after it aired on May 23, 2010, Daniel Dae Kim, who played Jin-Soo Kwon, spoke out to defend the show’s divisive final episode.

Daniel Dae Kim Has Defended Lost’s Controversial Finale

Daniel Dae Kim said he understood the ending of Lost, even though it was controversial. He told PEOPLE in May 2025 that he’d spoken with the show’s creators and appreciated how it brought the characters’ stories to a satisfying conclusion. The finale, titled “The End,” showed Jack, Kate, and the rest of the group reuniting in the afterlife and finding peace together, which Kim felt was the most important part.

The series finale left some viewers puzzled, but many – including Kim and ourselves – believe it was a fitting conclusion. The “flash-sideways” scenes, first appearing in the sixth season of Lost, initially seemed to show what would have happened if the plane hadn’t crashed. However, it quickly became apparent that the connections between the characters in this new timeline were too strong to be simply an alternate reality. Instead, these scenes were revealed to be a depiction of the afterlife, where the survivors found each other again to remember their lives and the bonds they shared.

The series finale of Lost was a moving and satisfying conclusion, and it cleverly expanded the show’s mythology by confirming the existence of an afterlife. Although the fate of some characters in the present remained ambiguous, it was powerful to see the original plane crash survivors reunited for one last time, creating a truly emotional scene. Actor Daniel Dae Kim has noted that people still approach him years later to discuss Lost, calling it a “very special [and] very unique” show.

Lost’s Finale Changed TV Forever 15 Years Ago

Daniel Dae Kim makes a good point about the ending of Lost. TV shows don’t have to tie up every single plot point to deliver a satisfying conclusion. What made Lost special was seeing what happened to the surviving characters – Kate, Sawyer, Claire, Frank, Miles, and Richard – after they finally left the island. Even those who escaped with unanswered questions found their way back to each other in the afterlife, regardless of the paths they took.

In a 2016 appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Daniel Dae Kim explained that he appreciated seeing the characters leave together, even though the show left many questions unanswered. He noted that despite all the unresolved mysteries and the unexplained nature of the island, he was glad the characters would be together for eternity. This ending was a significant shift for television, as audiences were accustomed to shows tying up every loose end.

Since Lost finished airing 15 years ago—and even while it was on TV—many shows have tried to capture the same magic and become the next big hit. But none have quite reached the level of popularity or left the same lasting impression as the original ABC series. Lost remains one of the most iconic and unforgettable shows ever made, and it’s likely to stay that way for years to come, even if some of the finale’s mysteries are never fully solved.

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2026-01-01 19:42