Netflix's original reality show Physical: Asia concluded its journey by confirming South Korea as the final victor of the first international competition.
In episodes 10 to 12 of Physical: Asia, which aired on the 18th, South Korea triumphed over seven other countries, securing both the championship trophy and a prize of 1 billion won amid breathtaking tension.
This season, a spin-off of the Physical: 100 series, featured contestants from eight Asian nations competing in extreme quests, which captivated viewers globally since its release. In fact, it ranked in Netflix's global top 10 (non-English TV category) for three consecutive weeks, once again proving the global competitiveness of Korean entertainment.
The final episode featured unpredictable clashes. Japan passed the rope relay first, reaching the finals solo, while South Korea, Mongolia, and Australia battled fiercely for the remaining ticket in a "death match" pushing a 1200kg pillar 100 times. South Korea secured its spot in the final first, while Mongolia claimed the last place.
The fifth quest, 'Castle Siege,' tested teamwork and strategy. In this heavy quest, where contestants had to pull a giant cart and withstand the weight of a massive door, the Korean players leveraged effective role division and stamina to gain the upper hand. Mongolia pursued with clever tactics, but Japan was disqualified for failing to complete the quest.
The final consisted of three stages: wall pushing, metal dragging, and infinite tail grabbing. Importantly, South Korea won consecutive victories in the first two events, effectively sealing their championship. Ultimately, South Korea maintained their national flag throughout the series' inaugural international competition, with team leader Kim Dong-hyun emotionally stating, "We preserved the torso and the flag, which are more valuable than any gold medal."
Although Mongolia finished as runners-up, the enthusiastic support continued in their home country, marked by attention from national figures, including a message from the Minister of Culture and the former president, highlighting their global appeal.
Physical: Asia not only showcased extreme physical challenges but also the perseverance of players who never gave up and the mutual respect among them after the competition, leaving a profound impact. All episodes are available to watch on Netflix.