South Korean reality hit Physical: 100, known for its extreme fitness challenges, is the latest Netflix series to spawn multiple international spin-offs.
Joining the likes of dating show Love is Blind and baking competition Nailed It!, the gladiator-style competition has run for two seasons since its debut in 2023.
The 100 contestants on the show, both women and men, are known for their physical prowess and come from various sporting disciplines. They include Olympians, MMA champions, bodybuilders and CrossFit athletes.
Contestants are put through gruelling contests that test their strength and endurance. In the first competition in season one, the Hanging Challenge, contestants were required to hang from a bar raised above water for as long as they could, with the highest scorers earning special privileges.
In Death Match Challenge, which has appeared in multiple seasons, contestants wrestle one-on-one in an arena to gain possession of a ball within a stipulated time to proceed to the next round.
With participants eliminated after each challenge, the last person walks home with prize money of 300 million Korean won ($210,000).
The first two seasons of Physical: 100 were both won by CrossFit athletes: Woo Jin-yong and Amotti.
Why is it such a hit?
Physical: 100 became a breakout success around the world, soaring to the Top 10 in more than 80 countries. The show has been praised for breaking stereotypes by pitting men and women against each other. Another example of its inclusivity is that participants have varying body types and skills, and are put through challenges where no single athlete is guaranteed victory.
The show's success has already inspired multiple spin-offs, with more being planned.
International spin-offs
Physical: Asia
The first international spin-off of Physical: 100 pits eight countries against each other: South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Mongolia, Turkey, Indonesia, Australia and the Philippines. The showdown of nations ups the stakes as well as the prize money in the competition, with the winning team set to walk away with 1 billion Korean won ($700,000).
Star contestants include Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao, the only eight-division world champion in history, and Australian UFC middleweight champion Robert “The Reaper” Whittaker. South Korea is represented by several Physical: 100 alumna, including season two winner Amotti, skeleton racer and Olympic gold medallist Yun Sung-bin and wrestler Jang Eun-sil from season one.
Six episodes of Physical: Asia have aired so far, with three episodes coming on November 11 and the final three on November 18.
Physical 100: Italy
The first country spin-off to be announced, the Italian version of Physical: 100 will feature top athletes including rugby player Mirco Bergamasco, diver Tania Cagnotto, motorcycle racer Luis Sal and actress Elisabetta Canalis among others.
The casting process was extensive, Netflix said, with more than 1,000 people contacted, 187 Zoom auditions conducted and 137 in-person callbacks held. Contestants range in age from 22 to 60, and hail from multiple disciplines from wrestling and Hyrox to triathlons.
A release date is yet to be revealed.
Physical 100: USA
Applications are now open for the American version of the show. Contestants have to be over 18 years of age, and either be residents or able to legally travel to and reside in the country for the duration of the production.
“The US version will raise the bar, bringing together America’s most formidable competitors from across sports, fitness and tactical disciplines in a battle to determine who has the most complete physique,” Netflix said.
A Smith & Co Productions, the company behind hit sports competition American Ninja Warrior, is producing the show for Netflix. A filming location is yet to be revealed.
Physical: Europe
Although Italy already has its own spin-off, a European version similar to Physical: Asia is also in the works, according to Netflix. More details are yet to be revealed.
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
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England squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Ben White
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse
Forwards: Tammy Abraham, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Raheem Sterling
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
The Kites
Romain Gary
Penguin Modern Classics
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Australia World Cup squad
Aaron Finch (capt), Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Jhye Richardson, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
