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It’s been amazing to see Physical: 100 take the world by storm since it began airing on Netflix. This Korean reality tv series pushed its contestants’ bodies in order to crown an ultimate physique. Not separated by gender, age, or weight class, the series has been an exciting look at what we can do as humans. While Netflix has been investing in East Asian reality tv and variety series for some time now, with SIngles Inferno and Terrace House being amazing successes for the platform, Physical: 100 is a push for the platform to expand their offerings. And they’re meeting that with a slate of new competition series already announced for 2023. But with release dates unknown, you’re probably looking for what shows like Physical 100 to watch now that the series has wrapped. Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with our picks for shows like Physical 100 on streaming platforms now.
The Zone: Survival Mission
Netflix announced Zombieverse earlier this month to show audiences that more shows like Physical 100 were coming. But why wait for a post-apocalyptic survival competition Korean reality tv show when Hulu has you covered? Using the pandemic as a starting point, The Zone: Survival Mission puts contestants in a disaster-simulated virtual space called The Zone, where mankind is being tested through a series of apocalyptic situations. Jaeseok, Kwangsoo, and Yuri, lacking in camaraderie and credibility, are sent into the Zone with the great mission and responsibility of representing all mankind. The three members must survive four hours in the unknown, filled with unexpected situations, traps, and temptations. While the dynamic between our group is what really keeps you engaged, it’s the different situations and production value that bring a true wow factor to this reality survival series.
Run For The Money
A Japanese addition to the list, this game of tag isn’t like any you’ve seen. Competition is fun, a gigantic game of tag between different celebrities (including the iconic Lee Min-ho) makes it even better. While the series has been running in Japan, this recent version of Run For The Money for Netflix keeps the same simple concept. In it, 29 celebrities, ranging from athletes to influencers to idols and reality stars, are set loose in the massive park with winding streets and plenty of places to hide. The goal is simple: Don’t let the Hunters catch you, and if you make it to the end of the 200-minute chase, you win the ever-growing pot. It’s an adrenaline rush of a series that gets the audience rooting for the celebrities one by one or rolling their eyes when it looks like someone can hide behind a bush, and c’mon, we can see you.
Korea No. 1
Why should I watch this Korean reality tv series next? Well, it’s all about being the best. In this reality series starring Yoo Jae-suk, Kim Yeon-koung, and Lee Kwang-soo, each person tries to learn from masters of different crafts and occupations. In each episode, our celebrity hosts meet the masters of Korean traditional culture and experience firsthand the hard work that goes into making them the best. Competing to be the number one at the end of each episode, using what they’ve learned, the hosts showcase the skill, artistry, and determination in each of the crafts. One of the things that audiences loved about Physical 100 is that it helped them understand cultural responses to competition that differ from theirs. Why is this one of the shows like Phyiscal 100 if it isn’t all about physical power? Well, it’s about being the best and learning respect for traditional Korean art and culture.
Ultimate Beastmaster
Beastmaster was Netflix’s first take at physical competition shows. Inspired by Ninja Warrior, Ultimate Beastmaster puts athletes from different countries in a competition to conquer “the beast,” an obstacle course housed inside a large beast structure. One of the shows like Physical 100 on this list that puts physical strength first, this is another series to get you excited to hit the gym. Not to mention, this one has multiple seasons.
Kate Sánchez is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of But Why Tho? A Geek Community. There, she coordinates film, television, anime, and manga coverage. Kate is also a freelance journalist writing features on video games, anime, and film. Her focus as a critic is championing animation and international films and television series for inclusion in awards cycles.
