'Physical: 100' Season 2: Everything We Know

(Image credit: Courtesy of Netflix)

last updated March 5, 2024

Netflix's survival competition show Physical: 100 has become a can't-miss show for fans of series like Survivor, American Ninja Warrior, and the oft-compared Squid Game. The streaming giant's Korean TV series gathers 100 super-strong people—with the roster including national athletes, bodybuilders, MMA fighters, special forces soldiers, and fitness influencers among others—to compete in various challenges to see who has the "most perfect physique." Over the course of nine engrossing episodes, all available to stream as of Feb. 21, the fitness-obsessed men and women were eliminated until only one contestant remained, walking away with 300 million won (about $245,000 USD).

Though the series first made waves for its Squid Game-esque aesthetics and the celebs among the stacked cast, Physical: 100 has also gone viral for the great sportsmanship and camaraderie among the contestants. As the intense challenges push the players' bodies to their limit, their fellow contestants will cheer each other on and root for each other out of respect for everyone's abilities. Even viewers who aren't sporty at all (guilty) can be drawn in by the good vibes and constant awe for everything the players' bodies can accomplish.

Luckily, Netflix heard fans' fervent calls for a second season of the hit series. Read on for everything we know about a potential Physical: 100 season 2.

Has 'Physical: 100' been renewed for season 2?

Yes! Netflix announced the season 2 renewal in June 2023, with creator Jang Ho-gi saying in a statement that the second season "will surpass its predecessor in every aspect."

"We are very grateful Physical: 100 received so much love from fans all across the globe, and we paid attention to all the comments and feedback," Jang said, per The Hollywood Reporter. "We decided to retain the essence of the show—finding the perfect physique—while introducing fresh elements. This is our way of expressing our gratitude to the fans of the show."

As for those new elements, Netflix plans to dramatically expand the show's epic set. The set used in the first season, which was the size of two soccer fields and included arenas ranging from sand wrestling pits to 2-ton shipwrecks, “will now be expanded to create an even larger universe to challenge the participants,” per the streamer.

two women wrestle over a large ball in a mud ring during a challenge on 'physical: 100' season 1 — Two players wrestle over a leather ball in the first challenge of 'Physical: 100' season 1.

"I’m honored to meet a lot of contestants whom I feel are overqualified. And I’m also collaborating with many experts to make sure we have even more electrifying and well-designed quests that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats," Jang added. "I give you my word that we will be back with an all-new season that’s got everything taken up a notch for our global fans."

The final moments of the season 1 finale included a hint that the show's creative team, led by producer Jang Ho-gi, have high hopes for a second season. As the show's final shots displayed the representation of season 1's "most perfect physique," in the form of a plaster bust of winner Woo Jin-yong's torso, the show's voice-from-above narrator gave this cryptic statement:

"Various physiques exist in the world. Our search for the perfect physique will continue."

Based on season 1's ratings, the season 2 renewal was an "not if, but when" situation. Season 1 was the first unscripted show ever to hit No. 1 on Netflix’s Non-English TV list, and has remained in the Top 10 for the past month. Those numbers even surpass the widely popular Korean dating show Single's Inferno, which has already been picked up for a fourth season.

still from physical: 100 — A team of 10 players work together to haul a 4,000-pound boat across a field of sand in 'Physical: 100' season 1's most daunting challenge.

When will 'Physical: 100' season 2 come out?

Netflix has announced that Physical: 100 will return for its second season on March 19, 2024. The streamer's press release also confirms that highly-anticipated installment will sport a new name: Physical: 100 Season 2 - Underground. Per Netflix, this time around, "the stakes are even higher, the challenges are even harder, and the arena — a massive mine — is even more extensive."

'Is there a trailer for 'Physical: 100' season 2?

Netflix dropped the first look at Physical: 100 season 2 on March 5, offering glimpses of both the new players and the new massive arenas, including the aforementioned giant underground mine complete with train tracks. The clip introduces the whole cast as they take part in a grueling running challenge on manual treadmills, before cutting to the torso busts of the eliminated players as they're demolished. It also teases the return of the one-on-one wrestling challenges, with a full-out UFC octagon added to the choice of arenas. As one of the contestants says via voiceover, "This is what season 2 should look like."

Physical: 100 Season 2 - Underground | Official Trailer | Netflix [ENG SUB] - YouTube

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Who will compete in 'Physical: 100' season 2?

The date announcement for season 2 highlighted a few renowned athletes who are joining the competition: UFC fighter Kim Dong-hyun, judo gold medalist Lee Won-hee, and wrestling gold medalist Anthony Jung. The new season also adds even more occupations to the well-rounded cast, which will include "FBI diplomats, actors, singers, police officers, and military personnel."

Netflix later revealed the full line-up of contestants via a highlight reel shared on YouTube. While many of the athletes and public figures are best known in Korea, some of the global stars who will appear include K-pop idol and Golden Child member Jangjun, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo actor Lee Jae-yoon, and Single's Inferno season 1 cast member Kang So-yeon.

Meet the 100 Contestants of Physical: 100 Season 2 - Underground | Netflix - YouTube

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Quinci is a Culture Writer who covers all aspects of pop culture, including TV, movies, music, books, and theater. She contributes interviews with talent, as well as SEO content, features, and trend stories. She fell in love with storytelling at a young age, and eventually discovered her love for cultural criticism and amplifying awareness for underrepresented storytellers across the arts. She previously served as a weekend editor for Harper’s Bazaar, where she covered breaking news and live events for the brand’s website, and helped run the brand’s social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Her freelance writing has also appeared in outlets including HuffPost, The A.V. Club, Elle, Vulture, Salon, Teen Vogue, and others. Quinci earned her degree in English and Psychology from The University of New Mexico. She was a 2021 Eugene O’Neill Critics Institute fellow, and she is a member of the Television Critics Association. She is currently based in her hometown of Los Angeles. When she isn't writing or checking Twitter way too often, you can find her studying Korean while watching the latest K-drama, recommending her favorite shows and films to family and friends, or giving a concert performance while sitting in L.A. traffic.