It will be the most-ambitious season of the hit franchise.
On Friday, September 19, Netflix revealed the 48 contestants of ‘Physical: Asia,’ a spin-off of its popular ‘Physical: 100’ franchise, which premieres this October.
48 contestants, hailing from 8 countries—South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Mongolia, Türkiye, Indonesia, Australia, and the Philippines—will collide in a high-stakes competition of strength, strategy, and teamwork for nothing less than national pride.
Each six-person squad is anchored by a national superstar who embodies the competitive spirit of their homeland, with the Philippines being led by the only eight-division world champion in boxing history, Manny Pacquiao.
His squad includes other team members such as weightlifter and powerlifter Ray Jefferson Querubin, crossfit athlete Lara Lorraine Deang Liwanag, and national athletes Mark Mugen, Justin Coveney and Robyn Lauren Brown.
They will go against the teams led by Dong-hyun “Stun Gun” Kim (Korea), Yushin Okami (Japan), Robert “The Reaper” Whittaker (Australia), Superbon (Thailand), Orkhonbayar Bayarsaikhan (Mongolia), Recep Kara (Turkiye), and I Igedz “Executioner” (Indonesia).
The series, according to the streaming platform, blends elite athleticism with cultural tradition, spotlighting disciplines from combat sports and ball games to track and field. All these alongside heritage events like Korean ssireum, Mongolian wrestling, Turkish oil wrestling, and Muay Thai.
“Physical: Asia is more than a clash of athletes; it’s a showcase of heritage, pride, and physical mastery on an unprecedented global stage,” it added.
Producer Jang Ho-gi noted: “At its heart, the Physical series is about raw competition that transcends disciplines and generations. By bringing national pride into the equation, the battles will be more intense, more emotional, and more unforgettable than ever.”