How 'Physical: Asia' creator got Manny Pacquiao to join the show
In the pilot episode of the Korean reality show Physical: Asia on Netflix, Manny Pacquiao, dignified in a suit and sunglasses, led Team Philippines as they walked into a big room where the rest of the competitors from seven other countries waited.
The reaction to Pacquiao’s superstar status was loud and gave “chills,” said one competitor. There were fellow accomplished athletes in the other teams—including UFC star Dong-hyun Kim of South Korea and MMA fighter Yushin Okami of Japan—but having Pacquiao, the only eight-division world champion boxer in history, competing among them… "What an experience," another competitor said.
It's interesting to note how the creators of the show got Pacquiao to say yes and join Physical: Asia, the first international spin-off of the original show Physical: 100.
In its media launch, Jang Ho Gi, Physical: Asia’s producer, said it wasn’t difficult at all to convince the Filipino boxer to be a part of it.
“In order to invite Manny, we reached out multiple times,” he said. “I was very grateful because he invited us to his home. And he told us he was a big fan of the show. He was actually watching the show as we [were there] and he [analyzed] each moment. I was grateful that he said yes on the same day.”
Welcoming the show’s creators to his home, Pacquiao shared a home-cooked meal with them.
When he was asked at the media launch if it was an easy decision to say yes, Pacquiao said, “Kasi may background na ‘ko [sa show]. Nanonood ako ng Physical, ‘yung Physical: 100. Noong in-explain sa akin ‘yung concept and everything… I said yes.”
With Pacquiao in Team Philippines are 2019 SEA Games sambo champion Mark “Mugen” Striegl, CrossFit athlete Lara Liwanag, national rugby team player Justin Coveney, 400-meter hurdle champion Robyn Brown, and “the Philippines’ strongest man” Ray Jefferson Querubin.
Unlike Physical: 100, which has had two seasons (2023 and 2024) where 100 contestants went head-to-head in individual challenges, Physical: Asia champions team effort. Teams of six members each from eight countries will be competing.
The show will be weaving elements of Korean culture and history into the different challenges, as well.
Aside from the Philippines, there are teams from South Korea, Japan, Mongolia, Turkey, Thailand, Indonesia, and Australia.
