Physical: Asia is a South Korean reality competition series released in 2025 on Netflix. It is a spin-off of Physical: 100 and marks a major expansion of the franchise. The series features 12 episodes, each running for about 1 hour and 10 minutes, and aired from October 28 to November 18, 2025, every Tuesday. The show falls under the sports genre and carries a 13+ rating, suitable for teen and older audiences.
Table of Contents
📌 Synopsis
Physical: Asia takes the competition to a new level with a nation-vs-nation format. A total of 48 contestants from eight countries compete for the title of the ideal physique and a ₩1 billion cash prize. The participating nations include South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Mongolia, Türkiye, Indonesia, Australia, and the Philippines.
Each country fields a six-member national team, led by a well-known athlete who represents the strength and spirit of their nation. Contestants come from diverse backgrounds, including professional athletes, fitness experts, military personnel, and physically trained individuals.
The competition follows the core format of the original series. Teams face intense physical “quests” that test strength, endurance, balance, agility, strategy, and willpower. Challenges include both individual and team-based matches, structured in a tournament-style format. After each quest, teams face elimination until only one remains.
A signature element returns as well. Each contestant has a plaster cast of their torso displayed on set. When eliminated, they must destroy the cast with a sledgehammer, symbolizing defeat and personal limits.
What sets Physical: Asia apart is its cultural focus. Alongside modern athletic challenges, the show features traditional sports such as Korean ssireum, Mongolian wrestling, Turkish oil wrestling, and Muay Thai. These events highlight national heritage while adding emotional weight to the competition.
🏋️ Notable Participants
- Manny Pacquiao – Team Philippines
- Kim Dong Hyun – Team South Korea
- Yun Sung Bin – Team South Korea
- Amotti – Team South Korea
- Jang Eun Sil – Team South Korea
- Okami Yushin – Team Japan
- James Rusameekae Fagerlund – Team Thailand
💭 Final Thoughts
Physical: Asia expands the franchise with scale, diversity, and cultural depth. By combining elite athletic contests with traditional sports, it delivers both intensity and storytelling. The nation-based format adds emotional stakes, making every victory and loss feel meaningful. For fans of competitive reality shows and global sports events, this series offers a powerful and engaging experience.
