South Korean reality show Physical 100 becomes latest Netflix sensation

A new extreme sports reality show from South Korea has become Netflix’s latest worldwide hit.

Physical 100 debuted on the streaming giant on January 24th and topped the list as Netflix’s most-watched show in Australia on Thursday 9th February.

The show’s format revolves around trying to find “the perfect physique” as 100 ultra-fit players compete in tests of body-shattering endurance feats.

The show is now #2 on Netflix US and has made it into the top 5 most watched shows by streamers worldwide.

A trailer for the nine-part series sees the show as a more intense version of the Australian ninja warrior.

The preview features a scene in which a large group of highly trained contestants are hoisted over a steaming pool of menacing-looking liquid.

Elsewhere in the trailer, a caption invites viewers to watch as the contestants “fight to the death.”

Other scenes show the players wrestling in the mud and fighting over a medicine ball.

A synopsis shows that the contestants consist of a cast of South Korean athletes and military personnel.

Among the performers, unknown to many Western viewers, are South Korean celebrities such as wrestlers and bodybuilders.

Meanwhile, YouTube stars such as travel expert Tarzan and Shim Eu-ddeum, a fitness guru with 1.21 million subscribers, are also featured.

Fans of the show include K-pop star Jungkook.

Allkpop reports that a live stream in which the chart-topping hitmaker eats chicken while watching Physical 100 was watched by 10 million real-time viewers.