Physical: Asia: A new era for Netflix’s flagship competition
Netflix is expanding its high-octane reality competition universe with Physical: Asia, a global spin-off of Physical: 100. Set to premiere on October 28, 2025, the 12-episode season introduces a continental showdown that blends elite athleticism with national pride.
When and how to watch
The series will release its first four episodes on launch day, with the remaining eight episodes dropping weekly over the following three weeks. This staggered release mirrors Netflix’s strategy for tense, event-style competition series and keeps audiences talking as teams battle through an intense gauntlet of physical and strategic challenges.
Format: team-driven, nation-versus-nation
Unlike Physical: 100’s single-title format, Physical: Asia shifts to a team-based framework. 48 legendary players represent eight nations—South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Mongolia, Turkiye, Indonesia, Australia, and the Philippines—in a grand, cross-continental contest. Each team fields six competitors, and the focus lies on tactics, collaboration, and stamina as the continent vies for supremacy.
Who’s competing and what to expect
Among the headline athletes are notable combat sports figures: Japanese mixed martial artist Yushin Okami, Australian UFC veteran Robert Whittaker, and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao will compete for the Philippines. Thai kickboxing champion Superbon Banchamek heads Thailand’s squad, with other international stars also set to participate. Returning talents from Physical: 100, such as Season 2 winner Amotti and CrossFit Games athlete Choi Seung-yeon, join the South Korean team, adding familiarity for longtime fans.
Emotional stakes and production insights
Producer Jang Ho-gi emphasizes a new emotional weight driven by national representation. “What’s definitely different in this season is the sense of pride that comes from representing one’s country. It’s much stronger than I had imagined,” he notes. Pacquiao’s involvement adds another layer of global appeal, with the production team recounting how negotiations evolved from invitation to a home-cooked welcome during a training visit in the Philippines.
What makes Physical: Asia unique
Physical: Asia is pitched as a global arena where cultures, legends, and muscle collide. The format integrates local cultural elements—wrestling styles and traditional power icons—into demanding trials that test both body and mind. The prize is substantial: 1 billion won (roughly $695,000), one of the most lucrative awards in Asian reality TV, underscoring the high stakes of continental competition.
Why this season matters for Netflix’s unscripted slate
Targeting both sports fans and reality-TV enthusiasts, Physical: Asia expands Netflix Korea’s unscripted portfolio in 2025 with multiple regional spin-offs and competition-based formats. The show’s emphasis on teamwork, discipline, and patriotism aims to resonate beyond language barriers, inviting a global audience to root for their continent and its athletes.
What to watch for
Beyond the intensity of the physical trials, viewers should expect strategic gameplay, team dynamics, and emotional narratives tied to national pride. The season’s structure—continuous competition across episodes with escalating stakes—promises surprising alliances and dramatic turnarounds, making it a must-watch for fans of both sport and reality drama.
Stay tuned
Physical: Asia lands on Netflix on October 28, 2025, with global availability and multilingual streaming. The series is rated TV-14 and marks a bold leap in Asia-focused reality television for Netflix, inviting audiences to witness a multi-country battle where national pride meets extraordinary athleticism.
