How Netflix Convinced Manny Pacquiao to Say Yes to Joining "Physical: Asia"

Manny Pacquiao isn’t hanging up his gloves anytime soon, as the boxing legend has found a new arena beyond the ring. Leading Team Philippines in Netflix’s Physical: Asia, he faces a series of grueling challenges, which all began with a personal invite from the show's producers.

The popular Korean reality series Physical returns with its first-ever regional edition, pitting athletes from across Asia against each other. The new season, Physical: Asia, brings together sports icons and champions from eight nations—Korea, Japan, Thailand, Mongolia, Türkiye, Indonesia, Australia, and the Philippines—for a nation-versus-nation showdown designed to test both muscle and mindset.

Heading Team Philippines is none other than Manny Pacquiao himself, joined by mixed martial arts champion Mark “Mugen” Striegl, rugby player Justin Coveney, strongman Ray Jefferson Querubin, Olympic athlete Robyn Lauren Brown, and CrossFit champion Lara Liwanag.

During a virtual press conference covered by outlets like The Philippine Star, Manny shared how the opportunity came about and why he immediately said yes. “Excited ako nung tinawagan ako, may tumawag sa akin na sumali daw ako sa Physical: Asia. I was excited [at] that moment over the opportunity to join,” he said.

The show’s creator, Jang Ho Gi, also recalled how they convinced the boxing icon to sign on. “In the case of Manny Pacquiao, we really reached out to him often, many times. He actually invited us to his home in the Philippines. We were treated to a nice home meal and got to see him train. After the meal, we explained the show, and that day, he said yes,” Ho Gi recounted.

During the virtual press conference, the boxer shared what excited him most about joining the show. “Pinaka-na-excite ako nung binalita sa akin [na] ‘yung mga challenges na dadaanan namin, ‘yung mahaharap namin, iba't ibang mga challenges [dahil] in the past nanonood ako ng show ay napakaganda [and it was] for me to participate in a competition like that,” he said.

In the first episode, Manny entered the studio with his team, and contestants from other countries couldn’t hide their excitement. Athletes from Korea, Japan, Thailand, and beyond were visibly starstruck at the sight of the boxing legend.

Confident in Team Philippines’ balance of power and strategy, he described his teammates as “complete.” “May malakas kami, may mabilis kami, at tsaka may mga plano kami, magaling mag-plan ‘yung mga kasama ko dito, so we can strategize lahat ng mga gagawin namin para manalo sa bawat challenge,” he shared.

Building on the global success of Physical: 100, Netflix’s Physical: Asia reimagines the competition on a grander scale. The series pits eight teams of elite athletes and sports icons against each other in a series of extreme physical and mental challenges, with the ultimate goal of crowning one nation as champion.

Each six-person squad is anchored by a national superstar: Team Korea by UFC fighter Dong Hyun Kim, Japan by MMA legend Yushin Okami, Australia by former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker, Thailand by Muay Thai world champion Superbon, Mongolia by traditional wrestling star Orkhonbayar Bayarsaikhan, Türkiye by four-time oil wrestling champion Recep Kara, and Indonesia by physique powerhouse Igedz “Executioner.”

The competition takes place on an enormous custom-built set in Korea, which is an area roughly the size of five soccer fields. According to Netflix’s Tudum, the set was inspired by Korean royal architecture and mythology, incorporating elements like a replica of Gyeongbokgung Palace’s Geunjeongjeon Hall, a half-sunken shipwreck, and a haunted old village.

Producer Jang Ho Gi explained that the show is “an Olympic-style competition” blending athleticism and cultural heritage. Challenges are drawn from both traditional and modern disciplines, ranging from wrestling and combat sports to elaborate obstacle quests. If even one team member fails, the entire country risks elimination.

While the grand prize of one billion Korean won (around P40 million) awaits the winner, producer Jang emphasized that the real motivation lies elsewhere. “They are here not for the prize. It’s about honor, honor for their physique, honor for their country,” he said during the press conference.