Soaring in popularity, and even grabbing BTS Jungkook’s attention, Physical: 100 (2023) has situated itself in Netflix’s Top Ten watched list just two weeks after its premiere on January 24. The show’s intense competition brought Squid Game (2021) to life, taking Korean survival reality shows to a fierce, new level. Fighting for the title of the “perfect physique,” one hundred athletic contestants grappled against each other for a chance to win the cash prize of 300 million won (roughly $235,000). But only one contestant was crowned champion. With the final episode released on February 21, watch out to see who will win the final cash prize and be titled the best physique of all of South Korea.
Godly Strength
While many familiar faces appeared on Physical: 100 like 2018 Skeleton Gold medalist Yun Sung-bin and 2012 Gymnastics Gold medalist Yang Hak-Seon, the variety of physiques added some extra flavor by pitting different builds against each other. However, these contestants were far from the average citizen. From Korean national sports representatives to members of the Korean Special Forces, the competitors have honed their physique for years—making the battle between contestants that much more difficult.
With the first episode revealing a hall of every contestant’s marbled torso, the daunting showcase had each eliminated contestant smashing their torso in defeat as they walked away from the game. But the game continued within a five-tiered elimination sequence that left the pool of the fittest physiques a little smaller. While the show is called Physical: 100, this survival competition was not only about the strongest competitor. When things went beyond physical, contestants were tested on their wits, teamwork, and tenacity as they climbed their way to the top.
The Physiques
Wrestlers, bodybuilders, and even fitness coaches weren’t the only contestants to hone a fit physique. The arena was filled with different careers with many unexpected ones popping up in the midst. From celebrity Choo Sung-hoon, YouTuber Shim Eu-ddeum, and dancer Cha Hyun-seung, the competition between careers was just as fierce as the one between the physiques. Each round showcased five different combinations of athleticism—strength, endurance, response time, mental strength, and balance—that leveled the playing field. With pride on the line and behind-the-scenes camaraderie that inevitably bled into the competition, various physiques were given the spotlight within each round. From slim builds to muscular builds, every contestant was enticed to utilize their physique to their advantage.
In the first quest, contestants engaged in a one-on-one ball possession match that was designed to eliminate half of the contestant pool. They were given the option to pick their opponent and choose one out of two arenas—a playground or a mud pit. In this “death match,” where players either won or were given a hammer to smash their marbled torso on the way out, every choice was crucial to winning. As the arena made even the most buff contestants second guess bulldozing through the challenge, the death matches were full of surprises as contestants engaged in a physical and mental brawl.
The Underdogs
The second quest, “Moving Sand,” was designed for cooperation, as teams were tasked to move sand bags across a makeshift bridge. Fifty survivors were divided into ten groups, with the top-ten ranked contestants getting the first opportunity to choose their ideal teammates as team leaders. Typically selected based on physical build and gender, muscular male contestants were deemed to be the ideal teammate. Lower-ranked team leaders weren’t provided with a selection process. They were given contestants who were continuously rejected by previous team leaders.
Lowest-ranked team leader Jang Eun-sil was stuck in the least ideal situation with no choice in member selection. She ended up as captain of a “weak” team of slim build men and women. Camaraderie between fellow wrestlers died fast as team leader Nam Kyung-jin called out team leader Jang Eun-sil to compete in the second quest. But never one to back down, Jang insisted on “show[ing] them how strong we are.” As desperation and the need to prove themselves empowered their passionate hauling, Jang’s underdog team crushed Nam’s team and came out on top in this challenge. In an awe-inspiring moment that had team Jang gripping each other as the final verdict was announced, the sweat drenching through their T-shirts was nothing compared to their bright smiles and relieved yelling. Team Jang fought against expectations to survive, highlighting that sometimes the strength behind teamwork is stronger than physical strength itself.
The third quest was near that of a human miracle. Teams were tasked with allying with another team in order to drag a 1,500 kilogram ship. The ship was Herculean in size and weight, barely moving despite the collective strength of the previous all-male team. Rejected by other teams once again due to their physical makeup, team Jang had no choice but to ally with another lightweight team. With all of the odds stacked against them with four women and an injured team member, the group pushed and pulled the ship on pure tenacity. Fueled by their flaming desire to get the ship moving, a team Jang member stated, “we cursed, screamed, and worked together to pull it.” As the ship finally crossed the finish line, they made the impossible possible.
The Final Five
*spoilers for Episode 7 and 8*
With the fourth quest, the “Team Delegate Match,” underway, 15 out of 20 contestants were eliminated before the final round. With five different game categories and four delegates per game, each category crowned a delegate that could advance to the final round.
“The Atlas of Punishment” crowned Jo jin-hyeong, a car dealer and YouTuber with immense strength. Winning “The Fire of Prometheus” category, Park Jin-yong is a Korean luge representative that will be moving forward as a finalist. As the victor of “The Wings of Icarus,” Korean ice climbing representative and mountain rescue team member Kim Min-cheol reached new heights with flying colors as one of the five finalists. CrossFitter Woo Jin-yong was the designated finalist with outstanding stamina after winning “The Tail of Ouroboros” category. And in the final category of “The Punishment of Sisyphus,” Jung Hae-min, a competitive cyclist, and Yun Sung-bin will compete for the final spot in the Top Five. With the last episode revealing the last finalist, tune in to the final quest to see who will beat the odds.
Watch Physical: 100 now on Netflix.
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