Netflix variety show Physical: Asia goes beyond perfect physiques to determine the "strongest physical country in Asia."
Physical: Asia, a physical war featuring flags from eight Asian countries, revealed all 48 athletes from Korea, Japan, Thailand, Mongolia, Türkiye, Indonesia, Australia and the Philippines. In this Physical: Asia, the eight countries will each form six-member teams to compete in fierce national contests.
First, the leaders who will serve as the solid core of the eight countries are formidable. Kim Dong-hyun, the first Korean mixed martial arts UFC fighter and nicknamed the "Stun Gun" for his overwhelming ability to subdue opponents in an instant, leads the "Avengers" Korean team. Okami Yooshin, the owner of the most wins in UFC Asia and a legendary Japanese fighter, anchors the "sports powerhouse" Japan team. Robert Whittaker, a former UFC middleweight champion known by the fearsome moniker the "Grim Reaper," aims for the Physical: Asia title as leader of the powerful Australian team. Legendary Manny Pacquiao, who made boxing history by winning titles in eight weight classes, commands the Philippine team.
Also leading the teams are Superbon, a Thai Muay Thai world champion who can topple opponents instantly with powerful kicks; Erhengbayar Bayarsaikhang, a Mongolian traditional wrestling athlete with a different physical DNA; "physical monster" Recep Kara, a Turkish oil wrestling athlete who became champion four times; and Igets Executioner, an Indonesian bodybuilder with an intimidating monstrous physique—Asian legend athletes from diverse disciplines serve as leaders.
The Korean team, centered on Kim Dong-hyun, will deploy skeleton gold medalist Yoon Sung-bin, the top-ranked ssireum champion Kim Min-jae who dominated the ssireum world, Physical: 100 Season 2 - Underground winner Amotti, former wrestling national team member and Physical: 100 Season 1 standout Jang Eun-sil, and Choi Seung-yeon, holder of the unique title CrossFit Asia No. 1, to uphold the host country's pride.
Not only the Korean team but also athletes from intense combat sports such as judo, wrestling, boxing, karate, jiu-jitsu and sambo; powerful ball sports such as rugby, basketball, volleyball and baseball; track and field events emphasizing top balance like hurdles; and unusual sports such as parkour, strongman and acrobatics will compete. The gathering of traditional sports athletes from around the world—from Korean ssireum to Mongolian wrestling, Turkish oil wrestling and Thai Muay Thai—has attracted particular interest.
Physical: Asia is drawing strong interest as the first national competition of the Physical series, which expanded into a global format with productions in the United States and Italy. A hot, fierce real battle between six representatives from each of the eight Asian countries, played out for national pride, will unfold.
The Physical series' unimaginably huge scale and arena, and the vast world that incorporates Korean and Asian culture, are generating anticipation. The national competition of the strongest physiques, staged in an upgraded, unprecedented mega-quest, is about to begin. Expect not only fierce competition among hexagonal physiques challenging human limits but also the enjoyment of varied tactics, strategies and teamwork from each country. The physical war, unique to the Physical series, the top competition in physical contests, will amplify thrills and catharsis.
Producer Jang Ho-gi said, "We are grateful that viewers around the world love the Physical series' intense contests of the body," noting, "The essence of the Physical series lies in fierce competition that transcends disciplines and ages. This Physical: Asia is the first stage where a series that started in Korea expands into Asia and neighboring countries. Added pride in representing a nation will deliver even stronger competition and powerful emotion."
Physical: Asia, a national competition bearing the flags of eight Asian countries, will reach global viewers exclusively on Netflix this October.
[Photo] Netflix
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