Production discussions for ‘Physical: 100’ pan-Asian iteration are currently under way: producer

Netflix's hit reality competition show "Physical: 100" could potentially expand its reach far beyond South Korea in Season 3 on the heels of its resounding global success, its producer said Wednesday. "If our show continues to receive positive responses from audiences, we believe we can expand our reach beyond Korea and into a larger region in Asia," producer Jang Ho-gi said during an interview with a group of reporters in Seoul. "We are gathering various ideas at the moment and nothing has been confirmed yet," the producer stressed. "Physical: 100" pits 100 physically fit contestants against each other in a series of rigorous "quests" to determine the ultimate winner. The victor will not only earn honor but also a cash prize of 300 million won (US$227,700). The first season, which aired from Jan. 24 to Feb. 21 last year, quickly became one of Netflix's most beloved reality series, dominating the global top 10 non-English TV show chart and amassing a total viewing time of 192.63 million hours over six we eks. The second season, "Physical: 100 Season 2 - Underground," premiered on March 19, and the final two episodes were released Tuesday. The show debuted at No. 1 on Netflix's non-English TV chart in its first week and held the No. 2 spot in the following week. The concept of transcending cultural borders and incorporating other Asian contestants into the show had been contemplated several years ago when the production team initially pitched the show to Netflix, according to Jang. "While the initial story unfolded in Korea, we thought it would be great if other countries could join in too," he recalled on the initial idea. "Now that we have finished the second season, we have started discussions about expanding into other Asian countries, at the very least." Netflix teased a new season at the end of Season 2's ninth and final episode, with a narration saying, "The world is full of different physiques. To find the perfect physical form, we gathered here at Physical: 100. Our search for the perfect physique will continue." Following the narration, animated figures showcasing various sports, from Korean taekwondo to Japanese sumo wrestling, are presented, alongside a potential logo for the third installment, "Physical: 100 Asia." The producer expressed pleasant surprise at the widespread global interest and enthusiastic responses regarding the potential future trajectory of the series. He particularly noted significant responses from South America, where viewers have been sending him lists of potential contestants from the region. Jang said finding a definitive answer to what constitutes a perfect physique still remains elusive. And he clarified the show isn't about providing an answer, but rather guiding audiences on a journey toward discovering one and providing a platform for discussions on the topic. "The more I contemplate the topic, the more elusive the answer becomes," he said, "And it is actually good that way, as it is all about the process, discussions and chances to talk about it." Source: Yonhap News Agency