'Physical: 100' goes global with U.S., European, Asian editions

▲ A still from "Physical: 100" provided by Netflix (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

   SEOUL, July 16 (Yonhap) -- "Physical: 100," Netflix's global hit Korean reality competition, is officially expanding worldwide with American, European and Asian spin-offs in development, the streaming service said Wednesday.

   Netflix said it is creating an American version, tentatively titled "Physical: 100 USA." It also confirmed a European version is in the early planning stages.

   Both series will follow the original's format, featuring elite competitors from across the United States and Europe, selected from the fields of sports, fitness and military, in a battle of strength and endurance.

   Early this year, Netflix announced a third season, which has been rebranded as "Physical: Asia." The upcoming season will hold a major inter-country competition, with contestants from various nations representing their homelands.

   Adding star power to the Asian edition, legendary Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao is set to appear in "Physical: 100 Asia," scheduled for release in the fourth quarter.

   The global expansion comes on the heels of the massive success of the first two seasons. The show quickly became a chart-topping hit by bringing together 100 of Korea's fittest contestants to compete in a series of grueling "quests."

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