My gateway to Korean entertainment and culture was actually a reality show called Running Man. In it, the players participated in games that put their smarts, strengths, and slapstick comedy to the test. Because of it, I've become hooked on various other reality series.
Then came the Netflix series, Physical: 100. The concept feels fresh, the casting was so unique, and the challenges really keep you at the edge of your seat. If you're curious about the show, here are seven things, sans spoilers, you need to know about it:
Everything you need to know about Netflix's Physical: 100
1. It starts with 100 contestants of all shapes and sizes, literally.
Coming from different industries and having diverse backgrounds, the 100 contestants mainly had one common denominator: their physical strength. Hence, the title of the series. Most of them are Koreans with a few foreigners in the bunch.
2. It stars national athletes, bodybuilders, and cross-fitters.
Remember the fencers in Twenty Five, Twenty One or the weightlifters in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo? How about the MMA fighters in Fight For My Way? Well, if you'd like to see real athletes like those fictional characters, you'll see a lot of them in Physical: 100. It's amazing how the fields of these individuals finally get the spotlight through a reality show.
Some of the standouts are Jang Eun Sil, a strong wrestler with the face of a K-pop idol, and her close friend Nam Kyung Jin, a really buff yet uber-flexible wrestler. There's also the legendary Yang Hak Seon, the first to bag an Olympic gold medal in artistic gymnastics for South Korea, and Yun Sung Bin, a skeleton bobsled racer nicknamed the "Ironman of South Korea."
There were also others who competed in bodybuilding competitions, ran gyms or studios, and made fitness vlogs. Some of the more popular ones were married couple Song Ah Reum and Kim Kang Min, long-haired cutie Tarzan, tiny but mighty Shim Euddeum, and the entertaining bodybuilding champ Ma Sun Ho.
3, It also stars former special force soldiers and first responders.
Aside from the athletes, there were also other contestants with unique jobs (including a zombie film choreographer and stuntwoman). Among those that would really make you curious are those whose present or previous jobs are essential in saving citizens' lives.
I loved Jirisan, so one of my Physical: 100 favorites is Kim Min Cheol. His vibe is giving "K-drama supporting role" but IRL, he's on the mountain rescue team of Bukhansan (the highest mountain within Seoul city borders). My husband shares, "As a fan of the drama First Responders, I rooted for ex-firefighter and former RoK special forces Hong Beom Seok." There were also former members of the Navy's UDT (Underwater Demolition Team) and a female sergeant first class reservist.
4. A couple of contestants are familiar faces to Korean reality show fans.
If you watched the early seasons of The Return Of Superman, you'll probably know Sarang's appa (father), Choo Sung Hoon. Aside from his main role as a doting dad and loving husband, he's a respected MMA fighter. TBH, a lot of people assumed he will be the host of the show due to his celebrity status. But, he participated in Physical:100 to show the "true strength of an ahjussi" (middle-aged man).
Another player you'll probably recognize if you're a Netflix fan is Cha Hyun Seung. If the name doesn't ring a bell, you'll probably remember him as that dancer who joined Single's Inferno late and got the attention of the ladies. He has danced (topless) alongside K-pop icon Sunmi—iconic!
5. It's like Squid Game (but nobody dies, of course).
Basically, it's survival of the fittest without debts and deaths. But, bragging rights as South Korea's strongest man or woman isn't the only prize, of course. The winner will get 300M won (around P13M).
PSA: If you start becoming fans of the players, you can see more of them and the friendships they were able to form on their social media channels.
6. Brawn and brains are put to the test.
Physical and mental strength are the keys to winning solo and team games. Some measured stamina, fighting skills, speed, strategy, and endurance. But being the strongest or biggest physically won't guarantee consistent wins. One of the fans of the show, Ronn Lagdameo, says one of the things he loves about Physical: 100 is that it shows, "Underdogs can be champions in their own rights." The beauty of the games is that anyone could win—even those that look weak but have an intense fighting spirit.
7. There will be just nine episodes in total!
Each one lasts almost an hour, and every part of it is a nail-biter. The finale will be aired on February 21st, and there are no clues about what the last game (or set of challenges) will be. The only thing we know at this point is that they started at 100, got trimmed down to 50, and eventually whittled down to 20. Now, there are five remaining athletes who are champions in their own rights, and we're so excited to see who emerges on the top!
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