Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Intense physical test challenges stereotypes, has cursing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Physical: 100
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
PHYSICAL: 100 is a Korean competition designed to determine what's the most perfect physique. One hundred male and female contestants of different ages, backgrounds, and walks of life that are known for their outstanding physical prowess, gather in a gallery with sculpture likenesses of each of their torsos. After they get a chance to take note of each other's bodies, and develop preconceived notions of their strength and skill sets, they must compete in a series of grueling prequalifying and elimination rounds. Each challenge tests various aspects of their mental and physical strength, including speed, agility, and flexibility. Each person eliminated must return to the gallery and destroy their own torso. The last person standing wins 300 million KRW, or $230,400.
Is It Any Good?
This Korean competition is produced to feel like a Squid Game-type experience while challenging preconceived notions about what a person who is physically strong should look like. The diverse cast combines male and female athletes, military personnel, influencers, and performers of all shapes and sizes between the ages of 18 and 50, which makes some of the match-ups interesting. Some of these folks have bigger personalities than they do muscles, which doesn't determine their strength, but adds to the entertainment. So do some of the production values, which are used to create suspense, and at times humor. But aside from challenging stereotypes in Korea about who's physically fit, Physical: 100 also challenges stereotypes about what bodies look like. Overall, it's an intense but fun series.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about some of the expectations held about different contestants. Are you surprised by the performance of some of the contestants throughout? Why? How much is your reaction based on stereotypes about who is physically fit (and isn't)?
Could you participate in series like Physical: 100? How long do you think you would last? Why?
TV Details
- Premiere date: January 24, 2023
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Game Shows
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts
- Character Strengths: Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: March 20, 2024
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
What to Watch Next
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate