[Focus] Three Perspectives Surrounding 'Physical:100'

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"Korean variety shows have created a live-action version of 'Squid Game.'"

This is the reaction from overseas viewers toward 'Physical: 100,' a competition to find the best body with a prize of 300 million won. It is a variety show released on the online video service (OTT) Netflix on the 24th of last month, receiving enthusiastic responses from viewers both domestically and internationally.

'Physical:100' stills [Photo by Netflix]

The structure is simple. 'Physical: 100' features 100 participants competing for a prize of 300 million won. It is a survival competition to find the strongest body. Familiar faces such as mixed martial arts fighter Choo Sung-hoon, former national gymnast Yang Hak-seon known as the 'Pommel Horse Emperor,' and Pyeongchang Winter Olympics skeleton gold medalist Yun Sung-bin also threw their hats into the ring.

It is truly hot. According to Netflix Patrol, an OTT ranking site, 'Physical: 100' topped the TV category on the 10th. This is the first time a Korean variety show on Netflix has reached the global top spot. By country, it ranked first in 38 countries including Korea, Canada, France, Germany, the UK, Greece, Sweden, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Vietnam.

Composed of a total of 9 episodes, 'Physical: 100' releases two episodes weekly, with all episodes scheduled to be available by the 21st. As the enthusiastic response continues, interest grows with each episode. As the light shines bright, shadows also deepen. Controversies have arisen. Production conflicts between Ascendio and MBC surfaced, and the gender competition format was criticized.

Fair Sportsmanship Breaking Prejudices

Jang Ho-gi, a PD from MBC's current affairs and culture department, has a background in special forces. 'Physical: 100' began from Jang PD's bold challenge. As an MBC employee, he sent a project proposal to Netflix via email, and Netflix decided to produce it within two weeks. Recently, Jang PD told reporters, "In the special forces, training or recreation often involved things like 'football, table tennis, judo players come out and compete,'" and he explained the idea behind the show by saying, "I thought about the question, 'What is the best body?'"

'Physical: 100' eliminates participants at each stage to select the final winner. A distinctive feature is that there are no fixed rules other than the competition format. Participants can survive as long as they win by any means, and since each participant has a unique number and the survival game is conducted with 100 people, many viewers drew parallels to the Netflix series 'Squid Game.'

Unlike the 'Squid Game' participants who survived by deceiving and betraying without mercy for survival, the 100 participants here demonstrate sportsmanship in their own way.

Although it is a competition, eliminated participants cheer for those remaining, and in one-on-one matches, they choose opponents of similar weight classes rather than weaker ones, showing fair play that moved viewers. Some male participants caused controversy by targeting female contestants and pressing on their chests, but most participants strove to win through healthy competition.

There is no formula in 'Physical: 100' that being bigger guarantees victory. In the hanging endurance game, a participant with a mountain rescue background took first place. In the three-minute one-on-one game, a participant with an average build and a physical education college background won.

The match between Choo Sung-hoon and Shin Dong-guk, which left a lasting impression with its 'sports spirit,' also received positive reactions. The two, senior and junior in mixed martial arts, competed under MMA rules during a one-on-one ball-stealing match. Jang PD said, "The unexpected outcomes broke prejudices about bodies." He added, "We hoped some participants would defy our expectations, and indeed, during filming, we realized we had prejudices about bodies."

More than 200 cameras were deployed. A filming site about twice the size of a soccer field was prepared. The production team tried to minimize interference and present the competition without distortion. Jang PD said, "Instead of using entertaining subtitles, we focused on showing the core aspects of the body, such as sweat dripping down the chin or bulging muscles."

'Gender Competition Controversy' Intentions and Blame... Disappointing Production Team

The variety content 'Physical: 100' adopted a release method of two episodes per week. After episodes 1 and 2 were released, the production team uploaded preview videos of episodes 3 and 4 on their YouTube channel on the 28th of last month.

In the video, male participant Park Hyung-geun targeted female participant Chun-ri and used a technique called 'knee on belly,' pressing his knee on her chest (solar plexus), which sparked controversy. Other female participants shouted "Chest! Chest!" and Park Hyung-geun made a zipper-mouth gesture toward the female cast, signaling them to be quiet. Other male participants pointed fingers, saying, "That guy has no mercy. He's ruthless."

Although a large prize was at stake, criticism arose that it was inappropriate for a male to target a female participant, and even considering it was a competition, pressing on a woman's chest on broadcast raised further controversy. In response, Chun-ri defended on her social media that it was a fair competition and provocative behavior was a device for entertainment. She also expressed discomfort with the gender-related debate.

The biggest issue pointed out was the production team. The decision to adopt a gender competition format was seen as reckless. Especially, editing and releasing this in the preview video for the next episode was viewed as an intentional noise marketing tactic to provoke gender conflict.

When the controversy arose, remarks that seemed to dismiss it as an individual issue of the female participant were also criticized. Jang PD said, "All matches proceeded only with participants who were informed and consented," and "Participants could avoid matches at any time." He then shifted responsibility to the player, saying, "For detailed information, it is better to refer to what Chun-ri posted on her SNS."

After the director's remarks, Chun-ri suffered even more. She posted on SNS, "My photos were posted with certain parts enlarged, leading to sexually humiliating comments. It felt miserable and I was stunned by shame. Men like you should consider that your mothers or daughters could be sexually harassed. Please think before you act," and announced she would take legal action.

Related Stocks Rise Amid Production Dispute

'Physical:100' stills [Photo by Netflix]

Comprehensive content companies Ascendio and Ruiworks clashed over participation in the production of 'Physical: 100.' Ascendio announced on the 27th of last month that it was involved in production, causing its stock price to surge 15%. Ruiworks Media then denied this, saying it was "groundless," escalating the controversy.

On the 8th, Ascendio issued another statement, saying, "On February 24 last year, we signed a planning and development investment contract with Ruiworks Media (hereafter Ruiworks). The contract specifies that Ascendio participates in the planning and development of 'Physical: 100' and has the right to be credited as a co-producer with its name on 'Physical: 100.'” They added, "Ruiworks has not honored these contract terms and claims Ascendio's investment was withdrawn. Since the development costs have not been refunded, Ascendio has been reporting this sincerely and claims it is not intentional."

An Ascendio official said, "Ruiworks unilaterally violated the contract, failed to refund investment funds, and is in breach of contract. Ascendio is requesting Ruiworks to remedy defects and fulfill the contract faithfully. The termination right also belongs to Ascendio, so the contract is currently valid. If Ruiworks agrees, we will disclose all related materials."

On the other hand, Ruiworks countered, "'Physical: 100' was jointly produced by MBC and Ruiworks Media, and Ascendio did not participate in production. Ascendio invested initial planning funds in Ruiworks Media but is currently proceeding with a lawsuit over contract termination. MBC delivered the relevant official documents and content certification to Ascendio on January 30," they said.

A New Viewing Pattern Derived After COVID-19

'Physical:100' stills [Photo by Netflix]

Looking into the controversy, there are certainly disappointing points. Yet why is 'Physical: 100' popular?

A production insider said, "Recently, dating programs have been airing one after another and gaining popularity," adding, "Viewers dislike real-life dating and prefer to satisfy vicarious excitement through videos." He continued, "'Physical: 100' is a kind of vicarious satisfaction derived from this context," viewing it as "a new viewing pattern for viewers who have spent more time at home since the COVID-19 pandemic."

Another industry insider said, "Viewers satisfy vicarious pleasure and desire by watching the primal competition of healthy bodies fighting bare-handed." He analyzed, "The competition structure itself, where winners and losers emerge under strong tension, provides sufficiently stimulating entertainment."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.