Physical: Asia Finale: Korea Wins Amid Rigging Claims

The highly anticipated finale of Netflix's Physical: Asia concluded with Team Korea claiming the championship and the 1 billion Korean won prize (approx. $700,000). However, the victory was overshadowed by a wave of controversy, with fans worldwide questioning the fairness of eliminations, particularly involving Team Mongolia, Japan, and Australia, leading to accusations that the show was rigged in favor of the host nation.

The Final Showdown: Korea vs. Mongolia

The final pitted Team Korea against the formidable Team Mongolia in a grueling six-on-six battle across three intense games. The competition kicked off with the Wall Pushing Match, a reverse tug-of-war involving 100kg, 200kg, and 300kg walls. While Mongolia initially dominated the first round with a smart strategy, Team Korea rallied through improved coordination, winning the next two rounds to take the match.

Facing elimination as the losing team, Mongolia chose the Iron Ball Dragging Match. Both teams, tethered to increasingly heavy iron balls based on their combined weight (Korea: 537kg, Mongolia: 518kg), raced to drag them to their flags within three minutes. Remarkably, both teams completed all five rounds, culminating in a dramatic tie at the highest weight with just 35 seconds left on the clock. The tie-breaker saw both teams pulling simultaneously, with Korea narrowly reaching their flag first to secure victory, making the final game Infinite Tail Tag unnecessary.

The Winners: Team Korea's Elite Roster

Team Korea's victory was driven by a powerhouse lineup featuring a mix of Physical: 100 veterans and top-tier athletes:

• Kim Dong-hyun: Team captain and former MMA fighter, known for his TV personality.
• Amotti: Winner of Physical: 100 Season 2, a popular CrossFitter and YouTuber.
• Jang Eun-sil: Fan-favorite former national team wrestler from Physical: 100 Season 1.
• Yun Sung-bin: Olympic gold medalist in skeleton racing.
• Choi Seung-yeon: Korea's top female CrossFit athlete (newcomer).
• Kim Min-jae: 23-year-old champion of traditional Korean wrestling, Ssireum (newcomer).

This blend of seasoned competitors and rising stars proved unstoppable in the finale.

Controversy Simmers: Accusations of Rigging

The finale ignited significant backlash on social media, fueled by controversial eliminations throughout the season:

What even in the name of scam was #PhysicalAsia They really want us to believe that a show produced by Koreans, held in Korea and won by Korea is totally legitimate. Also, the tactics used to get Australia out 🤣 What a joke! They really think we are stupid!

— Joonie⁷ (@vihha8)

• Team Australia's Exit: The team was eliminated after finishing last in the Pillar Push Death Match (1200kg) following the Battle Rope Relay. Viewers questioned the accuracy of the sensors used in the relay, demanding visible counters on screen.
• Team Japan's Elimination: Japan's hopes were dashed during the Castle Conquest challenge. Fans alleged technical failures with the gate and drawbridge mechanisms specifically hampering Japan's performance, while Korea and Mongolia navigated the obstacles with apparent ease.
• Team Mongolia's Journey: Mongolia's strong performance, culminating in a stunning semi-final victory over Australia and a resilient fight in the finale, only intensified fan suspicions. Many felt their loss to Korea, despite their strength, confirmed a pattern of favoritism.
• Philippines' Early Exit: Disputes began early when the Philippines was controversially eliminated during the Sack Toss challenge. Production abruptly cut the time window instead of gradually increasing sack weight as rules seemed to suggest.

The Bigger Picture: Global Success and Lingering Doubts

Despite the controversy, Physical: Asia achieved significant success, ranking third on Netflix's Global Top 10 Non-English TV shows for two weeks and topping charts in four countries. It entered the Top 10 in 26 markets, showcasing the global appeal of the franchise.

The season featured 48 elite athletes from eight Asian countries (South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Mongolia, Türkiye, Indonesia, Australia, Philippines), competing in brutal tests of strength, endurance, and strategy. However, the lingering question for many viewers is whether the competitive spirit was undermined by production decisions perceived as biased towards Team Korea.

As the dust settles on Physical: Asia, the debate over fairness continues to dominate online discussions, leaving many fans feeling the season's outcome was predetermined and a potential waste of the intense athletic effort showcased across its 12 episodes.