Disney+ introduces I Am Boxer, a boxing survival series from the makers of Physical: 100

Since its debut in 2023, Netflix’s Physical: 100 has quickly become a cult favourite. You didn’t need to be fit to enjoy the show, nor did you need to know how the contestants achieved their physiques. All viewers had to do was sit back, relax, and admire… their strength and tenacity, of course. So it comes as no surprise that Physical: Asia became such a hit across the region. But, now that the finale has aired, many viewers are scrambling to find something to fill that void. What else could be as remotely similar to Physical: Asia series? Well, you might want to check out Disney+’s latest South Korean survival series: I Am Boxer.

In this new show, MCU’s The Eternals star Ma Dong Seok, also known as Don Lee, teams up with the creators of Netflix’s Physical: 100 (yes, you read that right) to unveil a brand-new survival series centred on boxing.

Here, the show brings together 90 contestants of different ages, professions, and weight classes, all competing for a grand prize. But these aren’t just any contestants. The producers clearly went the extra mile to curate a star-studded and seriously buff lineup, ranging from actors (including Single’s Inferno Season 4’s Yuk Jun-seo) to seasoned professional boxers, MMA fighters, comedians, and amateurs, all in the hopes of crowning the ultimate boxer.

The cast

Before we talk about the competition itself, you need to know that the show introduces a panel of judges that’s just as compelling as its plot. Leading the lineup is Kim Jong Kook, best known for his singing career, his long-running role on variety shows like Running Man, and, of course, his famously muscular physique.

Joining him is Dex, whom you may recognise from various Korean variety shows and dramas. He first rose to prominence on Netflix’s widely talked-about Single’s Inferno 2 and Zombieverse, before taking on hosting roles in The Zone Season 3 and My Name Is Gabriel.

And then there’s Don Lee himself. Beyond his blockbuster success in the Marvel universe, Don built his career as a personal trainer in mixed martial arts, working with high-profile names such as Mark Coleman and Kevin Randleman. His long-standing passion for boxing has also been well documented. On the show, Don takes on the role of the “big boss” and often has the final say in deciding who gets to stay in the competition.

Now, you might be wondering how 90 men are supposed to last an entire season just boxing in a ring. Rest assured, I Am Boxer offers far more than repeated punch-ups. In fact, the format will feel familiar to fans of Physical: 100.

Similarities to Physical: 100

In the first round, contestants are tested on their strength through boxing matches, a quick and effective way to whittle down the numbers. Similarly, in Physical: 100 Season 1, the contestants were tasked with hanging onto bars for as long as they could, serving the same purpose of narrowing the field early on.

In the second round of I Am Boxer, however, those who advance must take part in a team battle. Standout contestants are selected and given the chance to choose their own teammates for the next challenge. It’s a concept that closely mirrors Physical: 100. Think back to Season 1, Episode 4, where contestants formed their own groups to build bridges and transport bags of sand from one end to the other. This emphasis on teamwork is even more pronounced in Physical: Asia, where contestants compete in unified teams representing their countries rather than going solo.

At the same time, I Am Boxer introduces a twist of its own with a deathmatch round. This gives contestants who lost in the previous stage a chance to redeem themselves in a high-stakes showdown. It’s reminiscent of Physical: 100’s early one-on-one duels, where losers had to smash life-sized plaster torso casts with a sledgehammer.

Overall sentiment

As someone who knows next to nothing about boxing, aside from the basics like jabs, crosses, and uppercuts, I was initially hesitant about starting I Am Boxer. “It’s just going to be round after round of boxing,” I thought. But one episode led to another, and before I knew it, I was binge-watching the series.

What surprised me most was how much I learned along the way. Each boxer had their own distinct style, from their stances to their techniques, and every move felt calculated. You never quite knew which punch might knock someone out. The show moves quickly—quite literally—and that makes it ideal if you don’t have the longest attention span.

So, would I recommend watching I Am Boxer? Given that it comes from the creators of Physical: 100, I’d say yes. If you’re looking for something that captures a similar thrill to the South Korean survival reality hit, this one is well worth your time.