“Physical-Asia”: Netflix’s First Cross-Border Fitness War Unites Eight Nations in Battle
- riya siddacharjee
- 17 hours ago
- 2 min read
Netflix is taking its hit competition franchise Physical: 100 to the next level with a groundbreaking new spinoff - Physical: Asia! The highly anticipated cross-border edition promises a fierce battle of endurance, strength, and national pride among top athletes from across the region.
A Continental Clash Like Never Before
For the first time, the Physical universe expands beyond Korea’s borders, gathering 48 elite athletes from Korea, Japan, Thailand, Mongolia, Turkiye, Indonesia, Australia, and the Philippines. Unlike its individual survival predecessors, Physical: Asia transforms the format into a team-based, nation-vs-nation tournament, where six-member squads compete in brutal physical challenges, as per Hyperbeast.
The twist? Eliminate one teammate, and the entire team is out, upping the stakes and intensity like never before.
Star-Packed Lineup of Champions and Icons
Each country brings its biggest names to the arena: a mix of Olympic medalists, MMA legends, and combat sports champions:
Korea: Led by UFC pioneer Dong-hyun “Stun Gun” Kim, the powerhouse team includes Olympic gold medalist Yun Sung-bin, Physical: 100 Season 2 winner Amotti, Jang Eun-sil, Choi Seung-yeon, and ssireum champion Kim Min-jae.
Japan: Fronted by celebrated MMA fighter Yushin Okami.
Australia: Commanded by former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert “The Reaper” Whittaker.
Philippines: Represented by boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, the only eight-division world champion in history.
Thailand: Featuring Muay Thai world champion Superbon.
Mongolia: Showcasing traditional wrestling star Orkhonbayar Bayarsaikhan.
Turkiye: Led by four-time oil wrestling champion Recep Kara.
Indonesia: Headed by physique powerhouse Igedz “Executioner”.
A Colossal Arena Built for Legends
Producer Jang Ho-gi, who also helmed the original Physical: 100, revealed that the production’s massive set is as large as five football fields, constructed with 1,200 tons of sand and 40 tons of steel.
More than 500 crew members worked behind the scenes to bring the epic environment to life. The arenas include a giant sinking ship, fortress-style battle zones, and architectural motifs inspired by Geunjeongjeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace, blending traditional aesthetics with modern spectacle.
The Vision Behind the Series
Showrunner Jang described Physical: Asia as “a groundbreaking season that pushes the limits of teamwork, strength, and cultural pride.”
“At its heart, the Physical series is about raw competition that transcends disciplines and generations,” he said. “By bringing national pride into the mix, the battles will be more emotional, more intense, and truly unforgettable.”
He added that the show’s quests took nearly a year of planning and were tested with over 30 simulators before filming began.
Part of Netflix Korea’s Expanding Unscripted Universe
The new season joins Netflix Korea’s growing slate of reality and competition hits, including the upcoming Culinary Class Wars and fan-favorite Single’s Inferno.
With Physical: Asia, Netflix not only raises the bar for fitness reality television but also celebrates the diversity and strength of Asia’s sporting culture on a global stage.
Premiere Details
-Release Date: October 28, 2025
-Platform: Netflix (Global)
-Format: Nation vs Nation Physical Survival Competition
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Get ready to witness the ultimate test of endurance, honor and unity when Physical: Asia drops this fall, where every rep, lift, and breath counts not just for glory, but for country.
Are you excited for Physical: Asia? Tell us what you think in the comment section!