With the second season of Physical: 100 now streaming on Netflix, many fans wish to know whether the reality series is scripted and rigged from the start. So, here’s all the evidence suggesting whether it is real or not.
Is Physical: 100 scripted and rigged?
Despite the belief of many fans, Physical: 100 isn’t likely to be scripted. However, camera work and editing tricks are certainly used to intensify the drama.
The series follows 100 people of different gender identities, ages, and build who go through extreme “quests” that require great strength. Their goal is to beat their opponents in these quests to win 300 million South Korean won ($225,000). But along with the grueling challenges, Season 1 of Physical: 100 had high drama. However, there’s no concrete evidence proving that the show is scripted and rigged.
On Reddit, some viewers did initially believe that the matches would be scripted to some degree. Furthermore, the Season 1 finale also faced allegations of being rigged in favor of Woo Jin-yong, who won the title.
As revealed by TikTok user @krealitylover on February 26, 2023, a South Korean paper, “Ilyo Shinmun” reported that the final challenge between Jung Hae-min and Woo Jin-yong was filmed 3 times (via Collider).
Per the TikTok user, “For the first time they filmed, Jung Hae-min … was in a huge lead. But Woo Jin-yong raised his hands and said that there was an issue with his machine. After the production staff signs off on the equipment, the match resumes with Hae-min once more taking the lead. Filming halts again, this time for ‘an audio issue.’”
Additionally, Hae-min testified to the stoppages as well, stating that the match was tweaked to give Jin-yong an advantage.
But several damage control statements were made after that and Jin-yong posted his public statement on March 4, 2023, saying that he didn’t ask for a stoppage.
He wrote, “It is not true that I raised my hand and stopped the match.”
Going by this statement, it’s likely that the series was not rigged. But one can’t deny the impact added by the editing team to enhance the suspense and drama after long days of filming.
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