Physical: 100, Netflix's Korean reality show, is a must-watch competition for fans of brutal physical challenges, wholesome sportsmanship, and easy-to-root-for personalities (not to mention eye candy). Created by producer Jang Ho-gi, each season gathers 100 contestants from various sports and professions—including pro bodybuilders, Olympic gold medalists, fitness influencers, and gym-buff celebs—to compete in mind-blowing challenges that test their strength, endurance, and teamwork.
Season 2 premiered in March 2024 and introduced a new all-star cast of athletes and intricate underground-themed challenges, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats, waiting to see which early fan favorites and underdogs would make it to the finale. At the end of the competition, the Physical: 100 season 2 winner walked away with a life-changing 300 million won (roughly $222,990).
Now, Netflix has confirmed that the series is going global, with athletes from around the world getting the chance in the spotlight. Below, we're breaking down everything we know about Physical: 100's third season and its upcoming spinoffs.
Has 'Physical: 100' been renewed for season 3?
Yes! Netflix announced the season 3 renewal for Physical: 100 in November 2024. It took quite a few months for the streamer to make the announcement—over six months after the finale aired—but we can officially get excited that more episodes are coming. The streaming service revealed the news at an international programming presentation, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
The renewal was inevitable, considering Physical: 100 was Netflix's first international reality show to peak in the No. 1 spot of its Global Top 10, per THR.
What is 'Physical: Asia'?
When Netflix revealed Physical: 100 was renewed for season 3, it also teased information about the cast. At its November 2024 international programming event, Netflix’s VP of content in Asia, Minyoung Kim, shared that the contestants will be from across Asia.
Before the expanded cast of competitors was officially confirmed, Physical: 100 and its showrunner had long hinted that they were planning to include people from several countries. For instance, when season 2 ended, it included the show's typical finale voiceover ("Our search for the perfect physique... will continue") before a title card that said, "Physical: 100 - Asia."
The series's creator Jang Ho-gi also previously spoke about his ambitions for the reality show. He told The Korean Herald, "If season 3 is confirmed for production, it would be great to see the series featuring international contestants...I would like to present the new season in a completely new format and composition, such as by having contestants compete by forming a team based on their nationalities."
When will 'Physical: 100' season 3, a.k.a. 'Physical: Asia,' come out?
While Physical: 100's third season is officially renewed, a release date has yet to be announced. In February 2025, Netflix confirmed that the new installment, titled Physical: Asia, will be part of the year's Korean slate and be released sometime in Q4 (September-December) 2025.
Who will be in the cast of 'Physical: 100' season 3, a.k.a. 'Physical: Asia?'
We already know the first contestant of Physical: Asia, and he's already a world champion. Netflix revealed in February 2025 that boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, 46, will participate in the third season of Physical: 100, representing his home country, the Philippines.
In the announcement tweet, which included pictures of Pacquiao arriving at South Korea's Incheon airport, Netflix described Physical: Asia as "a new twist on Physical: 100 where competitors unite under their national flags for the toughest, most pulse-pounding missions yet."
Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao will compete in Physical: Asia — a new twist on Physical: 100 where competitors unite under their national flags for the toughest, most pulse-pounding missions yet.Coming to Netflix later this year 🥊 pic.twitter.com/jdeoeoGFPCFebruary 4, 2025
In addition to recruiting contestants from all over Asia, Jang has hinted that season 3 could also see the return of some standout players from previous Physical: 100 seasons. The producer told The Korea Herald that the team behind the series is "leaving all possibilities open, including bringing back previous participants the audience wants to see again."
"Many people have shown interest in the current whereabouts of participants that were eliminated from the matches in the first and second seasons of Physical: 100—and they are eager to witness contestants who were prematurely eliminated stage a comeback," he said.
The idea that previous contestants could return started in season 2, when former firefighter Hong Beom-seok re-entered the competition after being eliminated in his one-on-one death match in season 1. Hong even made it to the finals for season 2, showcasing the heights fallen contestants could reach if given a second chance. Fingers crossed that one or two fan favorites get the chance to return to the show.
Has Netflix announced more seasons of 'Physical: 100?'
As fans wait for Physical: Asia to arrive, Netflix has revealed that two new installments will bring the show beyond Asia. On July 15, the streaming giant announced that casting has begun for a U.S.-based spin-off, tentatively titled Physical 100: USA. Deadline also reported that a European version is currently in development.
The casting announcement reads: "Physical: 100 became a breakout success around the world, soaring to the Top 10 in over 80 countries. Now, 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."
