Netflix Unveils First Look at Physical: Asia,' Revealing a Global Arena Where Cultures, Legends, and Muscle Collide

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Netflix Unveils First Look at Physical: Asia,' Revealing a Global Arena Where Cultures, Legends, and Muscle Collide

Entertainment

26 September 2025

GlobalSouth Korea

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Netflix has revealed the first look at its upcoming competition spectacle, Physical: Asia, raising the curtain on a truly global showdown infused with Korean and Asian cultural motifs.

Following the Greek Pantheon-inspired battles of Physical: 100 Season 1 and the underground mine arena of Season 2, the franchise now enters uncharted territory: its first-ever international tournament, where elite athletes from eight nations - Korea, Japan, Thailand, Mongolia, T rkiye, Indonesia, Australia, and the Philippines - go head-to-head in this physical competition.

A Stage Built on Culture and Myth

The newly released footage teases colossal quests and visually arresting stages:

A judge modeled after a Jeoseungsaja (Korean grim reaper) in a gat (traditional hat), standing beneath the glow of a giant moon.

Guardians are drawn from Korean folklore, including Haetae (a mythical creature symbolizing righteousness and protection), Jangseung (a Korean totem pole that serves as a village guardian), and the vividly decorated village Seonangdang (a holy shrine).

Monumental tasks that push human strength to its limits - from lifting boulders of staggering weight to withstanding towering totems.

These sequences, paired with the thunderous beat of traditional Korean instruments, position Physical: Asia as not just a competition, but a cultural showcase battleground.

Producer Jang Hogi explained the inspiration: Our goal was to harmonize the diverse histories and cultures of Korea and Asia. We chose Geunjeongjeon Hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace (the main hall) as the main motif, a place where foreign envoys were once welcomed, making it the perfect stage to host athletes from across the region. Behind the throne at Geunjeongjeon sits the Ilwolobongdo, a painting of the sun and moon symbolizing royal authority. We placed those celestial motifs within key quests to represent the search for a new sovereign of the Physical series. By weaving in traditional music and instruments, we also wanted to share Korean artistry with the world.

A Clash of Legends

Among the competitors are world-renowned icons:

Korea: UFC trailblazer Dong-hyun Stun Gun Kim leads a powerhouse squad featuring Olympic gold medalist Yun Sung-bin, famed ssireum champion Kim Min-jae, Amotti (Physical: 100 Season 2 winner), Jang Eun-sil, and Choi Seung-yeon.

Japan: Yushin Okami, one of Asia's most decorated MMA fighters.

Australia: Former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert The Reaper Whittaker.

Philippines: Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, the only eight-division world champion in history.

Thailand: Muay Thai world champion Superbon.

Mongolia: Traditional wrestling star Orkhonbayar Bayarsaikhan.

T rkiye: Four-time oil wrestling champion Recep Kara.

Indonesia: Physique powerhouse I Igedz Executioner .

They are joined by medalists and champions from wrestling, crossfit, Mongolian wrestling, Thai Muay Thai, and Turkish oil wrestling - creating an unprecedented collision of global physical traditions.

With its scale, mythic staging, and cultural depth, Physical: Asia promises to deliver not just brute strength, but a clash of nations, traditions, and legends. The competition premieres in October 2025, only on Netflix.

LINK:	https://about.netflix.com/en/news/physical-asia-first-look...
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