Netflix competition series "Physical: Asia" will premiere Oct. 28.
"Physical: Asia" is the franchise’s first nation-versus-nation showdown, bringing together 48 elite athletes from eight countries―South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Mongolia, Turkey, Indonesia, Australia and the Philippines―for supersized, high-stakes quests.
The newly released teaser poster sets the tone: vast dunes under a blistering sun, red flags whipping through sandstorms and a scrum of bodies locked in a no-mercy tug-of-war that looks straight out of a battle for territory.
The teaser trailer opens with UFC veteran “Stun Gun” Kim Dong-hyun declaring, “We can’t lose to Japan,” as he rallies Team Korea. “Korea vs. Japan―this is one we have to win,” one competitor says; “I’ll crush you,” fires back another. “We have to win, too,” comes the reply from across the line. A can’t-miss clash between CrossFit star Choi Seung-yeon―Asia’s top finisher―and former Japan national wrestling team member Ozaki Nonoka promises sparks to fly.
Pounding war drums introduce all 48 contenders from South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Mongolia, Turkey, Indonesia, Australia and the Philippines. Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao boasts, “The champion’s seat is ours,” while former UFC middleweight champ Robert Whittaker roars, “This is my turf.” Other competitors warn, “We’ll fight like our lives depend on it,” “Watch yourself―unless you want to end up like a shipwreck,” “If you can’t win, you don’t get to carry your flag,” and “This is war.”
Above all, the franchise’s signature ball-steal showdown returns alongside new set pieces, including a massive shipwreck mission and a fortress siege―bigger, bolder and more cinematic than ever. With eight nations in play, giant quests infused with Asian culture aim to pull viewers even deeper into the competition, while a stacked roster of legends and multi-sport athletes teases wildly different strategies, tactics and team chemistry.
Showrunner Jang Ho-gi says the production sprawled across the area of five soccer fields, used 40 tons of steel and more than 1,200 tons of sand, with over 500 crew members supporting athletes who traveled to Korea. Nearly a year of planning, development and testing included a 30-person simulation team with similar builds to the real contestants to double-check safety and stress-test every quest.
“This season is unlike anything you’ve seen,” Jang adds. “It’s packed with bigger stories, more exhilarating quests and overwhelming physical battles. We can’t wait for you to dive in.”
"Physical: Asia" drops globally on Netflix on Oct. 28.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)