Bai Lu and Wang Xing Yue's upcoming C-drama is more than just a mystery thriller
Physical: 100 wrote history. The show that everyone has been talking about never left the Netflix Top 10 charts ever since its release. 100 people, claiming to be fittest, compete in grueling challenges to win the title of the best body.
And what's best is that the show invited contestants from all walks of life. From national athletes to former military personnel to even common men and women like farmers and prison guards, anyone and everyone claiming to have the fittest body was welcome.
However, there's more to Physical: 100 than meets the eye. This article compiles several fascinating and lesser-known facts about it. Keep reading to learn some of the most fascinating facts about the hit Netflix survival show.
1. A Stellar Production Team
If it's Netflix MBC is joining hands with, it's expected that they put together the best production team with each member an expert in his/her field.
According to sources, not only the participants but the production team members of Physical: 100 are also among the finest in the industry.
PD Jang Ho Gi is an MBC documentary team member with over 8 years of experience. He also directed The Fake You Believed (2019), PD Notebook (2016), and New Year's Special Documentary Shin Hyuk (2014).
Interestingly the writer of the show Kang Sook Kyung also penned The Iron Squad, a military survival program that casts South Korean male reservists from military forces who compete in teams of four to claim the title of best special forces unit in the country. The show was a hit during its time. And writer Jo Geun Ae is famous for the reality show Show Me the Money Season 7 and 8, South Korea's first and biggest rap competition.
Moreover, the art director of the show Yoo Jae Heon was previously a part of the production teams of BTS and Blackpink concerts, and the Pyeong Chang Winter Olympics opening ceremony.
The costume director Choi Se Yeon was a part of the production teams for the movies Okja, Broker, and Parasite. And music director Kim Seong Soo composed music for the Netflix series Squid Game.
PD Jang Ho Gi also sought the same production team that produced the female dance crew survival game Street Woman Fighter.
And with regard to the selection of the contestants, PD Jang Ho Gi commented, "At first, we researched about 1,000 people and contacted about 500 of them. After meeting and interviewing them, and taking their physical and mental status examination, we finalized 100 contestants".
Furthermore, it is also interesting to note the huge scale of Physical: 100. The filming was done in Ilsan, and the set was about the size of two soccer fields. There were more than 150 cameras, including basic and fixed cameras, and more than 200-300 staff members.
2. The Journey of Physical: 100 From a Gym's Notice Board to Netflix Charts
With fans calling Physical: 100 a real-life Squid Game, it is inevitable to think that the reality show was inspired by the K-drama. However, that's far from true. Interestingly, the Netflix series was actually planned before Squid Game was released.
In a press conference held at Community House Masil in Myeong Dong, Seoul, PD Jang Ho Gi revealed that the show's planning was done before Squid Game hit our screens.
In fact, PD Jang Ho Gi, who also served in special forces, got the idea from a bulletin at the gym that displayed the "Best Body of the Month" challenge. And that sparked the idea of making a survival show to find the fittest body.
He also said that Physical: 100 cannot be pigeonholed into a specific genre because it focuses on the contestants as individuals, and it was his dream to produce such a show that centers around people and their stories.
3. A Reply From Netflix in Two Weeks
Getting a pitch accepted by Netflix is no piece of cake. And getting it accepted within two weeks after the proposal submission would be one of the most surprising things that can happen to a PD. Such was the case with Physical: 100.
Netflix was unexpectedly quick to decide to produce Physical: 100. Netflix manager Yoo Gi Hwan revealed the production decision process and said, "It started on October 18, 2021. I received the first e-mail from PD Jang Ho Gi, whom I had never met before. The plan was attached, and it was about wanting to make an original variety show".
He added, "The more I read the draft, the more I felt I had to do it. The planning and intention were clear. I am also a former entertainment producer, but even within the same framework, there was an aspect that I hadn't seen in other plans. I thought it would be a different and fun show".
Manager Yoo further said, "I contacted him (PD Jang Ho Gi) in about two weeks and asked to set up a production team. The production decision was made so unusually quickly. I decided to invest in production on the largest scale compared to all the other entertainment shows. And now, it is loved worldwide. I am very proud and grateful".
4. Physical: 100 Did Not Have a Guide
Since Physical: 100 is a reality survival show, it's pretty obvious that it is unscripted. But what's interesting to note is that the show also did not have a guide. Contestants greeting each other, cheering, and clapping; their trash talk, sportsmanship, camaraderie, and even their facial expressions are all authentic, unscripted, and even unexpected.
Loosely translating, PD Jang Ho Gi said, “There is no guide for this program. Also, the performers are not the ones who will follow even if they are given one. We only told what we had to do. It all seemed like it was meant to be".
He further added, "I think we felt relieved because we made it to the end so that there were no regrets left. Every time a game was over, we clapped and hugged, and I was surprised that it came out so naturally. That was the charm of our program". He also commented that he was impressed with the attitude of the contestants on set because they did their best at the moment.
"In the end, what these people made on the spot became the story. One of the performers said during an interview 'we wrote history', and it really touched me", PD Jang remarked.
5. PD Jang's Intention Behind Destroying Torsos
One of the most heartbreaking scenes in the show, both for viewers and the competitors, is seeing contestants breaking their own plaster torsos. Every time a contestant loses a game and drops out, they have to destroy their torso that resembles their body.
Getting the torsos made was itself a challenging task. Some of the contestants revealed that they even lost weight to get them made in their desired shape. And reportedly it took two hours to make the replica of the contestants' body torsos.
With regard to this, PD Jang said, "It is the part where I put the most effort. In movies and such dramas as Squid Game, dropping out is death. And I needed a poignant device. So, I decided to take away the most precious thing - the replica of the person's body. Molding the torsos for over two hours and then self-destroying them was brutal". He further commented, "It's like taking the lives of the contestants. Breaking something made identical to the performer's body is like a master potter breaking his craft. It's painful. Some people asked if they could take it home without breaking it or if they could just pretend to break it. But all of them had to break except for one".
6. Kim Kyung Baek Endure the After-Effects
In the first challenge, the contestants were divided into two groups and were given a task to hang in the air. The one who lasts the longest would be the winner. The prize would be an advantage over other competitors in the following challenge.
The former UDT drill instructor Kim Kyung Baek was the last man hanging among the 50 people he competed with. But hanging in the air, putting all his body weight on the support of his arms for over 13 minutes took a toll on him.
It resulted in arm paralysis that lasted for two months. Regarding his condition, Kim Kyung Baek shared photos on his SNS account with a caption saying "Memories of the Day". He said, "I knew my arm would return someday. But what I didn't know is that it would be paralyzed for two months".
Nevertheless, the contestant's willpower and strength are commendable. Kim Kyung Baek has recovered and is back to his healthy self. He also shared photos from his recent trip to Japan.
7. Ovan Competed With an Injured Hand
The South Korean singer-songwriter and rapper Ovan suffered a hand injury before joining the contest. And that resulted in his elimination in the 'Pass The Sand Parcel' mission.
On February 7, the contestant wrote on his social media account, "I suffered a fracture on the back of my right hand in a martial arts (Black Combat) game and underwent surgery, so I regret that I did not do my best in this mission. I am grateful to Kim Sang Wook and all the team members for choosing me as a team member even though my hand was injured". He also said that, if the show returns with a season 2, he will try even harder with better health.
Let's hope we get to see him again in another season of Physical: 100, which PD Jang also plans on making.
Bonus: Jungkook is a Fan
Physical: 100 won the hearts of millions of fans and BTS member Jungkook is one of them.
On February 3, Jungkook started a live broadcast and spent time with ARMYs watching Physical: 100. 10 million people joined him, and the global star's reactions to the show were to die for.
