The announcement of the winner for Physical: Asia has sparked controversy, with some viewers alleging the Netflix reality competition is “rigged.”In response, supporters of the show are countering these accusations with evidence, including a video showcasing Team Mongolia’s rigorous selection process.
This series, a spinoff of Physical: 100, pits eight teams from various countries—Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Mongolia, Australia, and Turkey—against each other in a contest to determine the strongest nation.
The champion team not only earns the honor of victory but also claims a lucrative cash prize of one billion won, approximately $700, 000. The final episodes were released on Netflix on November 18, revealing the outcomes of the final challenges and the nation that emerged victorious.
While the majority of viewers have embraced this new format, a faction of online commentators has raised concerns about the fairness of the competition, particularly following the airing of the finale.Warning: spoilers ahead!
Defending the Integrity of Physical: Asia
Following Korea’s victory in Physical: Asia, allegations of favoritism have emerged, claiming that the host nation had an unfair edge. Nevertheless, many fans are eager to defend the game’s legitimacy. A recent Redditor presented a video that highlights how Team Mongolia was meticulously formed.
Prior to the finale, Team Korea faced accusations of “cheating, ”with fans suggesting they received preferential treatment. Comments on social media platforms, including TikTok, have questioned the integrity of specific challenges like the Totem and Rope Relay.
Critics voiced concerns, stating, “Korea has been cheating since they selected their teams”and echoed sentiments that future iterations should exclude host nations from competition.
Despite the wave of accusations post-reveal of the winning team, fans have been diligent in countering these claims. Moderators of the show’s subreddit have actively removed posts raising “rigging”concerns to maintain a more constructive dialogue around the event.
As one moderator noted, “Your post has been removed due to the influx of posts regarding rigging. Discussions or accusations of this nature have sparked arguments and negativity, lacking any verifiable evidence. Our goal is to foster a respectful environment focused on contestants and enjoyment of the show.”
@polytime685 Versace on the floor #physicalasia #teamaustralia #teamjapan #teamkorea #teamphillipines
One prominent assertion among critics claims that the Korean team had an unfair advantage in participant selection.
“It was kinda unfair because Korea cherry-picked their participants from the previous two shows’ best contestants, ” commented a user on Reddit.“It was obvious they would win. But congratulations to them.” However, further discussions provided evidence proving there was a level of fairness in the selection process between the finalists, Korea and Mongolia.
According to evidence from a behind-the-scenes video on Team Mongolia’s formation, it was shared that a Mongolian agency had proposed a competition format pitting 50 Mongolian athletes against 50 Koreans. Despite initial setbacks in communication, persistence led to collaboration with the producers of Physical: 100.
The agency organized a national project selecting the best contestants from over 200 candidates through a rigorous three-stage process, highlighting their commitment to fair representation. One standout, Adiyasuren, was initially advised by her judo coach to focus on training but was ultimately encouraged to participate by the president of the Mongolian Judo Association.
This thorough selection process reinforces the narrative that Team Mongolia’s success was well-earned and not merely dependent on the host country’s favoritism.
The Unique Selection of Team Mongolia
Producer Jang Ho-gi has confirmed that each nation’s selection process was carefully planned. He noted that they aimed to gather “traditional sports legends”as captains for each team, mixing athletes with diverse skills and personalities.
With cooperation from various agencies and officials, they crafted a challenging yet enjoyable experience. Jang mentioned, “It was a little special for Mongolia… they proposed a competition format that would include both Korean and Mongolian athletes, which ultimately evolved into Physical: Asia.
Future Prospects for Physical: 100
Looking ahead, Physical: 100 is set to expand internationally, with Physical: 100 Italy and Physical: 100 USA in the pipeline, as announced by Netflix.
The Italian version will feature notable personalities including Mirco Bergamasco, Tania Cagnotto, and Federica Pellegrini, while the U. S.adaptation is currently seeking applicants, further details can be found here.
In discussing the franchise’s global ambitions, Jang emphasized their vision for transcending cultural barriers, stating, “We aimed initially at a Korean focus but intended to expand gradually with international adaptations.” He has received considerable interest from regions like Brazil and Africa, indicating potential future adaptations.
Physical: Asia is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
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