The battle of the fittest continues! We’re back with a High Five review of Physical Asia’s second half. The last six episodes were quite literally heart-racing as viewers anticipated the winner of the remaining games.
Join us as we take a look at the High Five highlights that make Physical Asia worth the watch. Make sure you read our review for the first half before diving into this one.
A Short Reprieve Disguised as a Physical Appraisal
Before getting into the extremely gruelling next quests, Physical Asia gave the players a grace period to participate in the mini games. It was a great way to cut through the tension, especially after subsequent eliminations that left just four teams in the running.
Quest 3.5 had the four remaining nations playing against each other through a one-on-one handwrestling game and vertical jump competition. Before the games started, the organizers asked the participants who they were scared to go one-on-one with. The players who received the most votes were also the ones who went on to join the handwrestling game. For the vertical jump, each team was given the freedom to choose who would represent them. This ended up being a short but much-needed reprieve for the teams, whose inner thoughts and team conversations about physique and technique narrated the episode like a calm before the storm, as the upcoming Quest 4 loomed upon them.
Mind Games and Torturous Challenges
We described the challenges of Physical: Asia in a previous review as “grueling,” but these last few challenges could actually wreck someone’s body if they’re not conditioned or if the technique is performed incorrectly. For episodes 7 to 12, the show deployed a variety of games that pushed the remaining contestants to the extreme. Quest 4 was a Battle Rope Relay where the teams competed in a set of two rounds, aiming to lift the battle rope up to hit sensors at chest-level. The catch: only three members will be able to compete.
Quest 4.5 was another death match where the losers of the rope relay had to push a 1,200kg pillar for 100 laps. The last one to complete was eliminated. After this, was another mini-game where the winner would have an advantage for the next round. The teams had to choose two people who would continuously run on a treadmill, and the person with the most miles at the end of the challenge would be granted the advantage. This portion might have given one team an advantage, since it was featured in the prior season of Physical 100 that Amotti, a member of Team Korea, participated in. Despite this, all participants showed their guts as they faced the challenges head-on.
There were more games, but all in all, the quests proved difficult and showcased the strategic minds and powerful bodies of each team as they worked together to win.
Gut-wrenching Cinematography
In our prior review, we mentioned that every contestant had their time to shine, but what made this point a highlight is that it gave a realistic frame of what these athletes were going through. There was little to no filter to look good. These last few episodes showed how disheveled, extremely tired, and dedicated each athlete was. They were literally drenched in sweat, screaming their chants out loud, and the look of desperation and utter concentration reflected back on camera. Each shot and angle made sure that the contestants’ hard work was seen through their facial expressions, showing their effort for the viewers to appreciate.
Set Designs that Continue to Impress
A consistent throughline across the series is the high quality of the set, making each challenge look incredible on screen. This can be seen in full force during a team game where the athletes went through a whole obstacle course to complete the challenge—ramming through a gate that was barred with a wooden plank from behind, pushing an incredibly heavy supply cart up a hill and through the gates. It looked like something straight out of a Japanese or Korean historical drama.
The Top Three Battle for Asian Pride
Heavy spoilers ahead, but after the Quest 3.5 deathmatch, Australia was sent home—leaving Japan, Mongolia, and South Korea as the top 3 teams. Each team had a diverse set of skills—Japan had power, Mongolia had strength, and South Korea had balance. Seeing their unique tactics truly made me appreciate the effort they put in, and the variety of athletes that we have in our continent.
All in all, Physical Asia gave the world a glimpse of just how strong Asians could be, through a refreshing new format to team games that involved physical and methodical playstyles, highlighting technique, strategy, and guts. It was also a great showcase of culture and sportsmanship, showing that behind every strong athlete is an equally strong heart.
SEA Wave gives Physical Asia a 3.5 out of 5 waves.