Fans of Netflix’s Physical:100 noted that many contestants have exceptionally muscular physiques. Soon after Season 1 premiered, social media lit up with speculation that participants were using performance-enhancing drugs. For example, a Twitter user dubbed the show “Roids:100,” commenting that “if the show’s producers had actually done a proper steroid test…they could have sorted out most of the current contestants.” . An anonymous bodybuilder quoted in Korea JoongAng Daily similarly opined that “some of the contestants have employed at least some sort of ‘help’…from drugs,” arguing their size was hard to attain naturally . Critical point: these are fan observations and anecdotal claims, not evidence. No contestants have publicly tested positive for steroids, and no independent investigation has confirmed any drug use.
Producer and Official Response: The production company Luyworks Media acknowledged these concerns. In a Feb 2023 statement (quoted by Korean media), they said the show was “a form of entertainment” – not an official sporting event – and they did not perform any drug tests on contestants . As one official explained, “Since it is not an official sports game, we did not conduct doping tests on the performers… [but] no matter how much help a person receives from drugs, they cannot get a good physique without individual efforts” . In short, producers have neither confirmed nor denied any individual was on steroids; they only confirmed no testing was done before filming. Netflix itself has not released any statement.
Regulatory Context: In South Korea, anabolic steroids are illegal for sports use, enforced by the Korea Anti-Doping Agency (KADA) and national law . However, Physical:100 is explicitly a reality TV contest, not an official athletic competition, so KADA has no direct jurisdiction. As the JoongAng Daily notes, steroid use is “firmly prohibited under Korean law” in sports, and KADA enforces the World Anti-Doping Code, but no sports regulatory body oversees this TV show . Thus far no formal doping investigation or testing has been launched for Physical:100 contestants .
Speculation vs. Fact: Confirmed fact: producers admit there were no PED tests on contestants . Confirmed fact: fans have alleged steroid use on social media . No publicly confirmed evidence (tests, admissions, or credible whistleblowers) has emerged that any Physical:100 contestant actually used steroids. All steroid-related claims remain unproven and rumor-based. As one fan put it, “‘Physical:100’ is just a reality show, so what is the problem?” – illustrating that critics and defenders interpret the controversy differently. Notably, one participant (bodybuilder Chunri) clarified that her fights on the show were fair and threatened legal action against harassment; she did not admit any drug use. To date, neither Netflix nor the show’s team has substantiated any steroid claim.
Similar Competitions and Doping Context
In related strength contests, drug use has been a recurring issue, but context varies. Strongman competitions: Top strongman champions have openly admitted to steroid use. For example, Hafþór “The Mountain” Björnsson (a World’s Strongest Man champion) told ESPN in 2017 that he has taken steroids to “do whatever it takes” to win . (Ironically, the WSM officially bans PEDs, but testing is sporadic .) Multiple strongman legends have attributed health problems and even deaths to steroid use. CrossFit: The CrossFit Games has a strict anti-doping program; athletes caught using banned substances have been publicly sanctioned (e.g. CrossFit HQ announced bans for seven competitors following positive tests in 2019 ). Reality TV competitions: By contrast, many televised fitness shows do not test their participants. A GQ profile of American Ninja Warrior bluntly noted that “they don’t test for PEDs on [ANW]…you can take all the steroids and growth hormone you want” . Likewise, Physical:100 producers explicitly characterized the show as entertainment, implying doping control isn’t enforced .
Season 2 (Physical: Asia) and Other Notes
When Season 2 aired (titled Physical: Asia), no major news outlets reported new steroid allegations. Some fans raised similar questions online, but no credible reports emerged of testing or confirmed use in Season 2. (The Season 2 controversies that made news – e.g. accusations of editing “rigging” – were unrelated to doping.) In short, as of now both seasons of the show remain free of verifiable steroid-use findings.
Credibility and Summary
Our sources are predominantly credible media and industry publications. The Korea JoongAng Daily report is a reputable news article (citing fan comments and legal context) and is the basis for most fact statements above. We also cite official-sounding quotes from Physical:100 producers as reported in Korean entertainment press . Opinions from anonymous fans or Reddit threads are reported here only insofar as media quotes them; we do not rely on unfounded blogs. The ESPN and BarBend articles establish that doping is a real issue in comparable strength sports, but they do not involve Physical:100 directly – they provide context about how elite athletes behave in other competitions.
In summary: No confirmed evidence exists that any Physical:100 contestant used steroids. Steroid-use allegations are based on viewers’ opinions about contestants’ size and strength, but all such claims remain unproven rumors. The producers have stated openly they did not test contestants, framing the show as entertainment . Given the lack of testing, neither the show nor KADA has authenticated any violation. Until any contestant or official provides proof, all claims of “juiced” athletes on Physical:100 should be treated as speculation.
Sources: News reports on Physical:100 controversies , statements from the show’s producers , and press coverage of doping in strength sports . Each cited source is clearly indicated above; viewers’ allegations are distinguished from verifiable information.