The second episode of the Netflix travel show takes Team Korea deeper into the Mongolian wilderness for cultural adventures and a tense archery competition. Amotti and Kim Dong-hyun, along with their guide Orkhonbayar, continue their exploration after a thrilling helicopter ride in the first episode. Their journey leads them to a snowy plain where they meet two surprise guests from their recent competition, Physical: Asia, setting the stage for a friendly but competitive mini-quest.
A Surprise Reunion in the Mongolian Snow
The episode begins with Orkhonbayar leading his Korean guests to a vast, snowy landscape reached by helicopter. The environment provides a moment for cultural exchange, as Orkhonbayar jokes about using snow for skincare, rubbing it on his face and encouraging Amotti to try it. The quiet scenery is soon interrupted by the sight of people on yaks wearing traditional dress, which fascinates Kim Dong-hyun. The real surprise comes when the group spots two familiar figures on horseback.
The riders are none other than Team Mongolia’s Lkhagva-Ochir and Team Australia’s Eddie Williams. Eddie, who is in Mongolia filming another show, greets the group, and a joyful reunion ensues. Kim Dong-hyun is so taken by Eddie’s appearance in the setting that he exclaims, “I didn’t recognize Eddie at all. He looks totally Mongolian”. This unexpected gathering of former rivals from Physical: Asia transforms the trip into a nostalgic meet-up, with Dong-hyun noting the timeless feeling of the moment.
Cultural Immersion and Traditional Experiences
Before the main competition, the group spends time experiencing key elements of Mongolian nomadic life. Amotti gets to fulfill a wish by riding a horse, while everyone also enjoys a camel ride. Kim Dong-hyun finds the camel surprisingly comfortable, comparing it to riding a sedan because of the humps. The group is then taken to a traditional settlement where they are greeted with local food. Dong-hyun explains the specific sitting rules of Mongolian culture to Amotti, showing their respect for the customs.
A highlight of the cultural exchange is when Ochir presents the group with traditional Mongolian costumes called ‘deels’. He explains that this is the attire worn for the summer festival of Naadam. After changing into the colorful garments, the participants are treated to a performance of traditional Mongolian music. Kim Dong-hyun is impressed by the harmony of the singers, stating, “Wow, I couldnโt tell their voices apart. That was so coolโฆ it sounded majestic”. This immersive experience sets a respectful and authentic tone for the physical challenge that follows.
Setting Up the First Mini Quest: Aim for the Target
The friendly atmosphere turns competitive as Ochir announces the first mini-quest: an archery match titled Aim for the Target. This format is familiar to fans of the Physical:100 universe, where mini-quests test different skills. The five participantsโAmotti, Kim Dong-hyun, Eddie, Ochir, and Orkhonbayarโgather for the match. Stakes are introduced when Ochir declares that the punishment for the loser will be “cleaning the shit of the sheep”.
A brief discussion occurs about teams. Kim Dong-hyun suggests making it a country-based competition: Team Korea versus Team Australia versus Team Mongolia. However, the others decide it should be an individual match. The rules are set: each participant gets three chances to hit the target from a drawn line. Before the shooting starts, Ochir gives the group a quick lesson on how to properly hold the bow and aim the arrow. The participants then share their thoughts in private confessionals, with Amotti admitting he feels most pressured by the Mongolians because of their confident “celebration gesture”.
The Archery Match Results and Confessionals
Kim Dong-hyun is chosen to shoot first. Reluctant at first, he agrees and takes his three shots. He confesses that he is approaching it as an individual match but with the mindset of the recent country battle from Physical: Asia. He finds the bow difficult to draw. His first arrow successfully hits the target. As he shoots, he shares a unique thought in his confessional: “The moment I saw the bow, I felt as if Iโd shot with it long ago. If past lives exist. I think I remember shooting from the top of a castle”.
His second arrow also hits the target. His third arrow hits the ground first before bouncing onto the target area, which the others rule as invalid. Kim Dong-hyun jokingly insists it should count, but the group does not agree. This gives him a total of two successful hits.
Amotti is next. He struggles immediately, telling Ochir that his fingers are frozen and he cannot pull the bowstring properly. His first shot fails to reach the target. He complains that his fingers hurt and that he prefers indoor sports. Neither his second nor third shots hit the target, resulting in a score of zero hits.
Eddie Williams from Team Australia shoots next. Like Amotti, he is also unable to hit the target with any of his three arrows, finishing with zero hits.
Ochir, one of the Mongolian hosts and an experienced athlete, takes his turn. He demonstrates his skill by hitting the target twice, earning two successful hits and tying with Kim Dong-hyun.
The Episode’s Cliffhanger Ending
The final participant is the other Mongolian guide, Orkhonbayar. Confident and laughing in his pre-match confessional, he steps up to shoot. His first arrow misses the target. His second arrow also misses. The tension builds as he prepares for his third and final shot, which will determine if he can tie or beat the leading score.
The episode cuts to black just as Orkhonbayar’s third arrow is about to reach the target, creating a classic cliffhanger. Viewers are left not knowing whether he hit the target or not, and consequently, who won the match and who will face the punishment of cleaning the sheep pen. The resolution is deferred, likely to be revealed at the start of a subsequent episode.
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Streaming Details and Show Context
Physical: Welcome to Mongolia is a two-episode travel reality series available globally on Netflix. It is a spin-off following the conclusion of the team-based competition Physical: Asia, which itself is a derivative of the original South Korean hit Physical:100. The show stars Kim Dong-hyun (a popular contestant from Season 1 of Physical:100), Amotti (the winner of Season 2 of Physical:100), and their Mongolian guide Orkhonbayar. The second episode, which focuses on this archery quest, has a runtime of 26 minutes.
The series aims to showcase Mongolian culture and landscapes while featuring the camaraderie and lighthearted competition between athletes from different countries. The show’s official description notes that in this episode, “The soul of Genghis Khan comes alive as they enjoy mounted archery”.
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