Team Korea stars Kim Dong-hyun and Amotti face off against a herd of horses in a spontaneous roping challenge during their Mongolian adventure, with Amotti declaring it a new quest for Physical: Asia.
Following their victory on Physical: Asia, champions Kim Dong-hyun and Amotti traveled to Mongolia as promised. Their host, Team Mongolia’s captain Orkhonbayar, is giving them a deep cultural experience, which took an unexpectedly physical turn in the show’s second episode.
After arriving via helicopter to a remote camp in the snowy Mongolian plains, the group was surprised by a reunion with Physical: Asia co-stars Lkhagva-Ochir and Eddie Williams. Surrounded by traditional attire, animals, and landscapes, Kim Dong-hyun remarked that the setting felt like something “from centuries ago”. It was in this environment that a wild challenge was born.
Orkhonbayar and Ochir Take on the “Horse Catch” Challenge
The action started when Orkhonbayar, the 27-year-old champion of traditional Mongolian wrestling (bรถkh), brought out a rope. He announced his plan to catch a horse directly from the running herd, a traditional skill that stunned his guests.
“Seriously? For real? Are you serious?” Kim Dong-hyun asked repeatedly, amazed by the idea.
Orkhonbayar made his first attempt, throwing the rope towards the horses, but he missed. On his second try, the horses continued to run, evading the rope again. Watching the struggle, Amotti humorously declared it looked like a new mission from their competition show.
“Physical: Asia. Next quest: Horse catch,” Amotti announced, mimicking the show’s narrator. Eddie Williams, the Australian Strongman, joked that this would be “quest 14”.
Team Mongolia’s Ochir then stepped up to try. He managed to get a rope on one of the horses, but the animal’s strength was too much. The horse kept running, dragging Ochir along the ground behind it. Kim Dong-hyun watched in awe, simply stating, “horses were very strong”.
After the attempts, Amotti teased Orkhonbayar, calling him a “city boy” because he was from the capital, Ulaanbaatar. When Ochir also struggled, Amotti joked that Orkhonbayar was a city man while Ochir was a countryman, leading to more laughter among the group.
Camel Riding and a Full Cultural Immersion
The “horse catch” was just one part of a day filled with new experiences. Earlier, the group had tried horseback and camel riding. For Amotti, it was his first time on a camel.
He was fascinated by the animal’s hump, wondering if it was meant to be a handle. “This hump is so weird. It’s so weird and hard,” he said. Both he and Kim Dong-hyun found the ride surprisingly comfortable, with Kim Dong-hyun comparing it to “riding a sedan”.
Orkhonbayar, as host, ensured his guests experienced authentic Mongolian traditions. The group visited a local settlement where they were served traditional foods like aaruul (dried curds) and Mongolian milk tea. They also changed into colorful, traditional Mongolian deel robes provided by Ochir, who explained they were costumes worn for the national Naadam festival.
The day included a musical performance with traditional instruments. Kim Dong-hyun was deeply impressed by the harmony of the singers, saying, “Wow, I couldn’t tell their voices apart. That was so coolโฆ it sounded majestic”.
The Backstory: A Promise Fulfilled After Physical: Asia
This Mongolian trip fulfills a promise made during the finale of Physical: Asia, which aired in late 2025. On that show, eight national teams competed in grueling challenges for a one billion Korean won prize (approximately $700,000) and national pride. Orkhonbayar, the captain of the respected Team Mongolia, had invited the Korean team to visit his homeland if they won.
Team Korea, led by Kim Dong-hyun and featuring Amotti, did emerge victorious after intense final matches against Team Mongolia and Team Japan. Orkhonbayar’s leadership and Team Mongolia’s impressive performance, however, won them immense fan respect globally.
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One online supporter captured the sentiment, writing, “Congratulations to South Korea on your victory. For me, Mongolia has already won”. Another fan praised Orkhonbayar’s leadership style: “I admire how he led the group. No pressure, just pure encouragement”.
This context makes the hospitality in Welcome to Mongolia more meaningfulโit’s a gesture of respect between former rivals.
Where to Watch the Mongolian Adventure
Physical: Welcome to Mongolia is a reality travel series streaming exclusively on Netflix. The show, which features Orkhonbayar, Amotti, Kim Dong-hyun, Eddie Williams, and Lkhagva-Ochir, premiered on January 1, 2026. It is directed by Jang Ho-gi PD. The series currently holds an IMDb rating of 8.0/10. All episodes are available now for streaming with an active Netflix subscription.
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