- by Serin Ha
- BBC World Service
image source, Netflix
Two competitors fight for and hold the ball for three minutes.
Physical: 100, the latest survival reality series from South Korea. It is becoming popular with Netflix members in 78 countries around the world. It was ranked in the top ten in the non-English series category. During the week of 6-12 Feb.
Selling point of this reality series is to find someone who has a body Out of all 100 contestants, the winner of the contest will receive a prize of 300 million won (approximately $250,000). The results will be announced in the final episode airing tomorrow (February 21). Wed)
Although viewers at home will notice that The competitive format is somewhat similar to the survival game series like Squid Games, but the reality show offers a new experience viewers may not have seen before: using something simple. The ultimate, that is, the body, to overcome obstacles. Measured by physical strength only. without being limited by age, gender or race
image source, Netflix
In this game contains A test to prove your strength and stamina. For example, towing a 2-ton boat on the sand from one point to another.
Contestants must go through a variety of levels and tests, such as how long can they hold on to the rail? Stealing the ball from an opponent or towing a 2 tonne boat from one room to another On an area covered with sand, etc.
The important thing is that the fans of this series They tell about this series that It’s a positive survival game. One of them was Elodie Wu. A viewer from France explained to the BBC:
“This is more than just praising the awesome guy or girl. I like to value something that promotes teamwork. advanced achievements The ability to cope with uncertainty both mentally and physically. Compared to reality shows in the West that people tend to disrespect competitors Even though the fight was fierce But in this game, many good feelings will be seen along the way.
South Korean documentary producer’s first reality show
image source, Netflix
Physical:100 is the first reality show produced by Jang Oh Ji.
The reality series “Physical: 100” is created by Jang Ho Ki, a producer from one of South Korea’s top television stations. A veteran of the documentary industry, which often focuses on social issues, crime and fraud.
This became his first reality show for Netflix. It is also the most funded by this giant video streaming service. It takes only two weeks to approve.
“The project proposal looks simple and feasible,” said the Netflix source who first read the project proposal email.
no subtitles
Drawing on the expertise of documentary film production, the reality series Physical: 100 focused on every detail of each contestant’s battle.
In production, more than 200 cameras are required to record the event in order to capture every drop of sweat. bundle of muscles And every tendon that moves also uses a special camera. like a high-speed camera to record the facial expressions of the contestants Including the movement of their bodies every fraction of a second.
These methods are considered different from producing popular works in South Korea. That often emphasizes the reliance on subtitles, descriptions, and graphics that pop up from time to time. to create attraction for the show as well
image source, Netflix
All contestants on this list had to have their tattoos removed. If this show is to be aired in South Korea
with all these factors make believe This is one of the success factors of this reality series. that can attract audiences around the world to be engraved with this list By keeping viewers focused on the physiology and simple gameplay, which is enough to make international audiences understand the story. Even if they don’t understand the language spoken between the contestants.
The reason why it is not published in South Korea
as you know The co-creator of the series is Jang Ho Ki, who still works for South Korean broadcaster MBC, but has pitched the project to Netflix. who invested in all of this series To be distributed only on the streaming channels of this platform.
But experts are of the opinion that It is impossible that this piece which has gained worldwide popularity, will be broadcast on television in South Korea. Due to the publicity of MBC television, if this series is to be aired The team had to hide all the tattoos on the contestants. According to the general principles of disseminating images through public media to avoid causing discomfort to viewers.
Although tattooing is becoming popular Especially among the new generation of South Koreans. But this was seen as It has been linked to gangsters or crime in the past, so attitudes in South Korea tend to be conservative. And only getting a tattoo done by a doctor is considered legal.
In addition, regulations on broadcasting in South Korea include Swearing or expletives are also not allowed on television.
Is it a “squid game” in the real world?
image source, Netflix
The winner of this challenge must stay on the rail for more than 10 minutes.
Many viewers can recognize the similarities between this reality series. and the previous series like “Squid Game”, which in fact In the group of contestants, they can also recognize that “Something similar to a squid game.”
What is common between the two series is that The search for the only survivor to win the ultimate reward. by passing a simple level Like playing in childhood in a squid game. and the endurance race of the body in “One Hundred Strong, Endured Competition”
Zhang had mentioned this at a recent press conference. He intends to make a realistic film. But it happened in real life.
“Just to look like a squid game, but I hope this show can allow viewers to be part of the crossroads between the real world and the fantasy world.”
Also in the production of the series was Kim Sung-soo, who was involved in producing the soundtrack for the Squid Games series. He is also the music director for Physical: 100.
game of diversity
image source, Netflix
Two competitors are fiercely wrestling with each other for the ball.
The competition in this reality series Searching for the person with the most perfect body Regardless of age, gender or race.
What are the requirements of this competition? Competitors’ height must be between 150-200 cm. and weight between 40-130 kg.
Among the contenders was young Olympic gold medalist Yang Hak Sun. With a height of only 160 cm and a weight of only 51 kg, he has to compete against a huge number of mixed martial arts or MMA athletes. including former members of the Naval Special Warfare Command South Korean Navy And 23 other female competitors of different sizes came together to prove their endurance in this race.
There are also a number of foreign competitors. in hopes that the show will be able to attract a wider audience Producer Zhang said in a press conference that He aims for the show to cover all areas and cultures around the world.
controversial point
There were some scenes in the show that caused controversy in society. one of them is A scene in which a male contestant picks up a female bodybuilder for a one-on-one fight. And he used his knees to press down on her chest.
Later, the female bodybuilder posted a message on her personal Instagram saying: “This is a show where you have to fight for survival. and fair.”
However, she also said she would prosecute those who criticized her in a derogatory way for sexually harassing her or manipulating her photographs.
Because the series is gaining widespread popularity internationally. As a result, it caused an impersonation from a group of opportunists in terms of participating in the co-production of the program.
One of them is content producer Ascendio. Citing a report published in January that they were going to be involved in the production of Physical: 100, the stock price soared. Later, MBC and co-producer Luyworks Media Came out to deny such claims. and it is likely that This dispute will end up in court.