TV & Film Picks: Spectacular games and shocking exits make Physical: Asia an adrenaline-pumping watch

Physical: Asia Netflix

Netflix’s popular South Korean reality competition series Physical: 100 (2023 to present) has been a display of personal might and a chance for contestants to show off their chiselled muscles like preening peacocks.

The Physical: Asia spin-off sees 48 athletes from eight countries competing for national pride. It is far more appealing since the focus is not on solo fame, but on a collective desire to bring glory to their country.

The competing nations are Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Mongolia, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and Turkey. Apart from being able to raise their country’s flag, the winning team gets to take home one billion won (S$905,000).

With their nation’s reputation at stake, tensions are high from the get-go. And it is evident from the first episode that Australia and host nation South Korea are among the top dogs.

What works is the cross-cultural exchange, with viewers introduced to lesser-known wrestling sports, such as Turkish oil wrestling; Mongolian wrestling, known as bokh; and sambo, which originated in the Soviet Union in the 1920s.

The competition arenas are spectacular and the adrenaline-pumping games intense. The editing is sharp, making the cliffhanger episodes especially thrilling.

Another plus point is the testosterone-heavy series giving equal attention to the women, such as a segment in Episode 5 that sees a petite female jiu-jitsu practitioner squaring off against two towering male contestants.

Six episodes of the 12-parter series have been released. While eliminations are par for the course, expect a shocking exit midway through the season.

All’s Fair (M18) Disney+

All eyes are on Kim Kardashian, who is out to prove she is more than just a reality TV star and businesswoman.

She headlines writer-director Ryan Murphy’s new legal drama All’s Fair, a 10-episode series that follows a team of female divorce attorneys who leave a male-dominated firm to open their own powerhouse practice.

Inspired by Kardashian’s real-life divorce attorney Laura Wasser, the series starts with hotshot divorce lawyer Allura Grant (Kardashian), who is going through her own divorce from her professional quarterback husband. 

All’s Fair marks Kardashian’s biggest acting role yet since her appearance in the 12th season of anthology series American Horror Story: Delicate (2023 to 2024). 

She is supported by a stellar cast that includes Naomi Watts, Sarah Paulson, Glenn Close, Niecy Nash-Betts and Teyana Taylor.

The series is co-produced by Kardashian and her mother Kris Jenner.

The First Ride Opens on Nov 13

South Korean actor-singer Cha Eun-woo may be serving in the army, but there has been no lack of action from him. Recently seen hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit’s gala dinner in the South Korean city of Gyeongju, the K-idol will be on the big screen playing a heart-throb in The First Ride.

The South Korean comedy follows four inseparable lifelong friends: Tae-jung (Kang Ha-neul) is the perfect model student; Yeon-min (Cha) is tops in the looks department; Do-jin (Kim Young-kwang) is the goofy and cheerful one; and Geum-bok (Kang Young-seok) is the master of sleeping with his eyes open.

Since their high school days, the foursome had always wanted to go on an overseas trip together, but that dream never materialised until many years later. 

What is meant to be a carefree holiday becomes an adventure of epic proportions. 

According to South Korean news site The Chosun Daily, The First Ride has been a box-office hit since its Oct 28 release because of its relatable premise and hilarious high jinks.