Fans of Netflix’s hit survival show ‘Physical:100’ have been heartbroken to know that the smash hit has dropped its final curtain. After the season finale on Feb 21, some fans were left reeling while others were rejoicing as the final winner triumphed over 99 incredible contestants to clinch the honour and cash prize of a whopping 3 million won (S$308,066).
Now that our Tuesday evenings are unoccupied, we’re left fanatically re-watching previous episodes and scrolling for Korean show substitutes. However, if you’re the latter, then look no further. We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of similar shows and other shows featuring our favourite Physical:100 contestants to satisfy your appetite:
The Gentlemen’s League
(Featured contestants from Physical:100 – Yun Sungbin, Caro, Agent H, Jjang Jae, and Park Hyunggeun)
Also known as Let’s Play Soccer 2, this Korean reality TV series produced by JTBC can be watched on Netflix. An ambitious goal lies ahead of the amateur soccer club formed by brilliant athletes from varying sports: to win the national championship.
Luckily for them, they’ve got former pro players on their back bench, ready to impart their experience and expertise to prep this group of dark horses.
Now available on Netflix.
(Featured contestants from Physical:100 – Caro, Agent H and Jjang Jae)
Racking up millions of views on Youtube, popular series ‘Fake Men’ is a bootcamp reality show loosely based on its MBC counterpart ‘Real Men’. However, instead of featuring celebrities taking on the MUSAT training program, ‘Fake Men’ takes its job more seriously. Participants endure gruelling military-style training, aiming to renew their minds and change their attitudes in life. Simulating the notorious Underwater Diving Team (UDT) programme in the Korean military, ‘Fake Men’ went viral for displaying participants’ dogged spirit and humourous camaraderie despite the harsh physical and mental challenges.
Now on YouTube.
(Featured contestants from Physical:100 – Jo Jinhyeong, Kim Sik, Choi Inho, Jung Haemin, and Agent H)
Just the name of this show is enough to tell us what’s about to go down: an impressive show of raw physical power displayed by Korean Hulks in human form!
Reminiscent of the arduous challenges in ‘Physical: 100’, participants take on strongman challenges (such as breaking watermelons, and pulling a 1.3 ton truck) in a fierce competition to prove their formidable strength.
Now on YouTube.
(Featured contestants from Physical:100 – Hong Beomseok)
Broadcasted on leading Korean television network SBS, “The Soldiers” is a military-themed competition show aiming to select the best special forces operators in the world. Often compared to “Steel Troops” with its special-forces premise, “The Soldiers” reaches further and wider to global audiences – with the South Korean contestants pitting their worth against international and regional rivals.
Fret not, for they are well-backed with the expertise of their mentors including the likes of former special forces operators from the United Kingdom, Sweden, United States and South Korea.
Now on YouTube.
(Featured contestants from Physical:100 – Kim Sangwook)
No lone wolves are allowed here. In the military survival programme “Steel Troops”, participants hailing from various branches of the Korean armed forces go head-to-head, representing their units in packs of four to fight for the title of the best special forces unit in Korea. Also released on Netflix as ‘The Iron Squad’, stay tuned for the cutthroat competition in missions designed by military experts to test their physical prowess and team cooperation.
Now on Netflix and Youtube.
(Featured contestants from Physical:100 – Choo Seonghun and Austin Kang)
A household name for Korean survival reality shows, Korean celebrities join comedian and survival expert Kim Byung-man in remote locations globally to experience living in the wild. Boasting an impressive guest list (including BTS’ Jin, EXID’s Hani), magnificent scenery and humorous slapstick moments, you won’t be disappointed to see guests test their mettle as they explore the world of the wild.
Now on Viu and Rakuten Viki.
(Featured contestants from Physical:100 – Agent H and Jjang Jae)
A nail-biting modified mafia game, where 10 contestants housed in a building compete in intense challenges that test their mental skills in negotiation, deception, and strategy. Watch the contestants navigate their way through the fierce competition and ruthless eliminations, forming and betraying allies as they battle their way to be the last man standing.
Now on YouTube.
(Featured contestants from Physical: 100 – Tarzan)
Keep your popcorn at hand for another riveting psychological battle! Based on their life experiences, eight contestants are assigned to be Black or White Sheep. They must use their intuition, wits and detective abilities to deduce each others’ identities, eliminating rivals by finding out keywords relating to their life stories. Who will be the last man standing to receive the final prize of $100,000?
Now on SBS TV Network.
(Featured contestants from Physical: 100 – Cha Hyunseung)
Stranded on a deserted island, singles search for love to escape as couples for romantic date nights in paradise. In a series of flirty or fiery challenges, participants fight to leave their best impression on their potential partners, hoping to leave the deserted island with their happily ever afters.
Now on Netflix.
(Featured contestants from Physical 100: Choo Seonghun and Yun Sungbin)
It’s not a stretch to say that Running Man is the biggest heavyweight in Korean showbiz, being the longest-running Korean variety show and amassing a cult following internationally. Living up to its name, cast and guests are brought on an entertaining and wild ride as they do their best to execute challenging and hilarious missions through a series of games. Best known for its trademark Name Tag Ripping game, the biggest name in Korean Variety also has much to brag about, such as its incredible guest list with Korean actor Song Joong-ki, K-pop group BTS and Blackpink, and even global stars Ryan Reynolds and Tom Cruise appearing on the show.
Now on Viu, Netflix, Viki
(Featured contestants from Physical 100: Choo Seonghun and Hong Beomseok)
Also known as All The Butlers, this Korean reality show features “Masters” – reputable figures from various professions and fields such as entertainment, sports, music etc. The cast are their disciples, learning more about their lives and industry tips to gain knowledge and wisdom, while making us laugh, cry and hopefully learn a new thing or two.
Now on Viki and Viu.
The Great Escape
Escape room survival on another scale – think post-apocalyptic Earth, mass prisons and mysterious bunkers. With complex background stories, perplexing clues and eccentric story characters played by the staff, members’ pit their survival abilities to escape from their secret locations. It’s no wonder the show’s slogan is literally “escape and survive”.
Now on Viu and Hulu.
You’ve seen the brawns in Physical: 100, now it’s time to see the brains! In a mind-bending game hosted by the ‘Devil’, participants are tested Squid Game-style, pitting their brains against each other in nerve-wracking mental and psychological quests. The last man standing is crowned the brainiest player and stands to win up to 500 million Korean won – if they can snatch it from the Devil’s hands.
Now on Netflix
Impressed by the athletic ladies who gave the men a run for their money in Physical: 100? We’ve got more girl power coming up! In this upcoming Netflix series, 24 female police officers, firefighters, bodyguards, soldiers, athletes and stuntwomen team up by profession to fight for their survival on a deserted island.
Coming soon on Netflix.
In an apocalyptic Seoul, where a zombie virus outbreak has run amok, who will survive? In this upcoming Netflix horror series, contestants are pushed to their physical and mental limits as they struggle to outwit the dead and survive in the face of challenging quests.
Coming soon on Netflix.
Text: Ng Hui Yu/HerWorld