In a quiet moment before joining the intense competition of Netflix’s Physical: Asia, Mongolian team member Lkhagva-Ochir Erdene-Ochir had a simple phone call with his father. He told him, “I participated in Physical: Asia.” This ordinary conversation marked the start of an extraordinary journey that took Ochir from the global stage of a hit reality show to leading new friends on a cultural adventure in his homeland in the follow-up series, Physical: Welcome to Mongolia. The show, released on Netflix in late 2025, features Ochir and his Mongolian teammates as they host members of the winning South Korean team for a trip filled with outdoor challenges and deep cultural exchange.
The Journey from Physical: Asia to the Mongolian Steppe
Physical: Asia is a South Korean reality competition that premiered on Netflix on October 28, 2025. It is a spin-off of the popular Physical: 100 series, this time featuring 48 elite athletes divided into eight national teams competing for a grand prize of 1 billion Korean won (approximately $700,000). The teams represented South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Mongolia, Indonesia, Turkey, Australia, and the Philippines. The Mongolian team, captained by traditional wrestler Orkhonbayar Bayarsaikhan, included Ochir, an acrobat and performer with Cirque du Soleil.
After a grueling tournament that tested strength, endurance, and strategy, Team South Korea was crowned the champion in the finale on November 18, with Team Mongolia finishing as the runner-up. The conclusion of the team competition, however, was not the end of the story. The new two-episode series, Physical: Welcome to Mongolia, was created as a special extension. It follows the Mongolian team as they invite Korean athletes Kim Dong-hyun and Amotti to Mongolia for a unique trip blending physical challenges with cultural immersion.
Ochir’s Role as a Cultural Bridge
In Physical: Welcome to Mongolia, Ochir moves from being a competitor to a guide and host. The series shifts the focus from winning a prize to sharing an experience, showcasing the landscape and traditions of Mongolia. Ochir, with his background in circus arts and performance, plays a key role in this cultural exchange.
The trip involves various outdoor activities, but a central and revealing segment features an introduction to Bökh, traditional Mongolian wrestling. This ancient sport, with rules distinct from international wrestling or judo, became a profound learning moment for the visiting Korean athletes. A wrestler loses in Bökh if any part of their body other than their hands or feet touches the ground. There are no weight classes or time limits.
“I can’t get a grip on him. Where can I grab him?” said Korean MMA fighter Kim Dong-hyun during a Bökh match against Ochir, highlighting the unfamiliarity of the traditional sport’s techniques and allowed moves.
The episode demonstrates how Bökh prioritizes balance and leverage over brute force. In a notable match, the powerful Korean CrossFit athlete Amotti was quickly taken down by an 18-year-old local Bökh wrestler, showcasing the effectiveness of this traditional discipline. After his matches, Kim Dong-hyun reflected on the different spirit of the competition, noting that in Mongolia, the experience felt less like a win-or-lose situation and more like a shared victory for both sides.
The Context of National Pride and Controversy
The creation of Physical: Welcome to Mongolia and Ochir’s journey occur against a backdrop of heightened national pride stirred by Physical: Asia. The team-based format of the main competition inherently framed each battle as a matter of national honor. Following the finale, some online controversy emerged among fans, with allegations of biased editing in favor of the South Korean team.
The head of the agency representing the Mongolian athletes directly addressed these claims. In a statement on social media, he thanked fans for their support but urged them to avoid hostile comments toward Netflix or the other competing teams. He emphasized that the organizers would not risk the global reputation of the franchise by showing clear favoritism and congratulated South Korea on its win. This context makes the friendly, cross-cultural gathering shown in Physical: Welcome to Mongolia particularly significant, as it highlights the mutual respect between the athletes beyond the competitive arena.
Where to Watch the Physical Series
For viewers who want to follow Ochir’s full story, the series is available globally on Netflix.
- Physical: Asia: The main 12-episode competition series is available to stream. It premiered on October 28, 2025, with new episodes released weekly until the finale on November 18, 2025.
- Physical: Welcome to Mongolia: This two-episode special series is also available on Netflix, serving as a postscript to the main competition.
The Mongolian team featured in both shows includes captain and Bökh wrestler Orkhonbayar Bayarsaikhan, basketball player Dulguun Enkhbat, acrobat Lkhagva-Ochir Erdene-Ochir (Ochir), MMA fighter Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu, volleyball player Khandsuren Gantogtokh, and judoka Adiyasuren Amarsaikhan.
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