With the shift to a more team-based competition, we were initially worried. The new dynamic suggested that the core identity of the show might change significantly especially since the first two seasons were defined by superhuman individual feats that pushed the limits of the human body and mind. But color us impressed, the format works far better than expected. The addition of country pride and deeper human interaction gives audiences even more reason to be invested in this show, especially if their own nation is competing.
Competitors from across Asia band together to represent their country, facing quests that test strength, agility, endurance, willpower, and strategy. After each round, the losing countries are eliminated until only one nation remains to claim bragging rights and 1 billion won.
As with previous seasons, Physical: Asia still struggles to present all competitors on equal footing. Some athletes get very little introduction, and we wish the show developed more emotional backstories for each one. The repetitive editing style also remains so if it bothered you before, it likely still will. Despite these issues, we were genuinely impressed by how smoothly the show transitioned from an individual format to a team-based one. The new dynamics brought fresh advantages, and the series highlighted them well. Female competitors shine brighter this season, and the national stakes add a surprising amount of emotion into each quest. The production value is massive as always, the quests are inventive and exhilarating, and the side challenges bring nostalgic callbacks to earlier seasons. Overall, unexpectedly, this format gives the franchise new life. If Netflix continues down this path, future seasons could become even bigger and more exciting.
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Physical: Asia (2025) Series Review: New Format, New Stakes
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