Introduction: A New continental showdown on Netflix
Netflix unveils Physical: Asia, a high-stakes reality competition that expands the beloved Physical: 100 universe into a cross-continental team format. Debuting globally on October 28, 2025, the 12-episode series starts strong with the first four episodes streaming on day one and the remaining episodes released weekly over three weeks. The spin-off brings eight countries into a unified, nation-versus-nation battle powered by elite athletes and a renewed sense of national pride.
Format: From individual grit to team strategy
Where Physical: 100 placed 100 contestants in direct one-on-one and mass challenges, Physical: Asia shifts the emphasis to teamwork and national identity. Eight teams, each representing a country, will consist of six players. The nations on display are South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Mongolia, Turkiye, Indonesia, Australia, and the Philippines. A total of 48 seasoned competitors will push for continental supremacy in a grand, strategic competition that blends stamina with tactics.
Competition goals and stakes
Teams face a sequence of physically and mentally demanding trials designed to test cohesion, endurance, and quick thinking under pressure. The series aims to capture not only strength but also the depth of teamwork, as squads must coordinate under evolving rules and objectives. The prize is substantial: roughly 1 billion won (about $695,000 USD) for the winning team, among the richest awards in Asian reality TV history.
Notable participants and moments to watch
The lineup features well-known combat sports and athletic figures. Japan is represented by mixed martial artist Yushin Okami, Australia by UFC fighter Robert Whittaker, and the Philippines by boxing legend Manny Pacquiao. Thai kickboxing icon Superbon Banchamek also takes part, among other international athletes. Producer Jang Ho-gi highlighted how patriotism adds emotional weight to the competition, noting that the pride of representing one’s country intensifies the drive to excel.
Returning favorites and new pressures
Among the returning players from Physical: 100 are Amotti, the Season 2 winner, and CrossFit Games athlete Choi Seung-yeon, who join Team South Korea. New dynamics are visible in team missions and individual preparations, with athletes describing a heavier emphasis on training to support teammates and minimize risk during group tasks. Wrestler Jang Eun-sil commented on aiming to shed the underdog label from season one by stepping up both physically and mentally for the team’s benefit.
What makes Physical: Asia different
Netflix positions Physical: Asia as a global arena where cultures, legends, and muscle collide. The series will integrate local wrestling styles and cultural icons into the challenges, creating an Olympics-like atmosphere that rewards discipline, collaboration, and national pride. The unscripted format remains entertaining and unpredictable, but the geographic and cultural scale adds a fresh, dramatic layer that broadens appeal beyond Asia.
Availability and viewing details
Physical: Asia lands on Netflix worldwide on October 28, 2025. The show will be available in multiple languages to accommodate a diverse global audience and is rated TV-14, aligning with Netflix Korea’s push for ambitious, regional unscripted formats in 2025.
Why this matters for fans
For long-time fans of Physical: 100 and newcomers alike, Physical: Asia offers a culturally rich, team-centric alternative to the original format. It promises higher emotional stakes through national allegiance while delivering the competition’s trademark intensity. Expect dramatic rivalries, strategic alliances, and moments of national pride that could redefine what an Asian reality competition can achieve on a global streaming platform.
Stay tuned
As October approaches, keep an eye on announcements about official episodes, behind-the-scenes features, and additional participant reveals. Physical: Asia is poised to become a landmark in Netflix’s Asian reality TV slate, expanding the franchise’s reach and reimagining competition for a continental audience.
