Follow the journey of Haneul, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, as she battles not only her opponents in the quest for victory but also the conflicting emotions of a budding romance with her fellow athlete, Sung-Bin. Amidst the adrenaline-fueled rac...
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ONE HUNDRED ════ ⋆★⋆ ════
IN THE spacious room, competitors chatted away, They enthusiastically exchanged tales of their latest victories and passionately admired each other's impeccable physiques, and Greek-like busts that stood on plinths.
Eun Sil, her eyes wide with amazement, leaned in close to her wrestling buddy Koung-jin, both of them barely able to contain their excitement. Their gaze fixated on the entrance as a striking young woman sauntered in, immediately drawing the attention of the room. Clad in sleek gym leggings that accentuated her well-defined thigh muscles and a sports bra that showcased her meticulously sculpted abs and impressive biceps, she exuded confidence and effortless athleticism. Her raven-black hair cascaded gracefully just above her chest, framing her face with an almost movie-star-like allure. Her makeup was minimal but still enough to tell that no one woke up like that, it was dewy and made her look healthy.
As she entered the room, she offered a respectful bow to her peers, a striking contrast to her late arrival. Her eyes met a sea of both familiar and unfamiliar faces, and the room was abuzz with whispers and intrigued glances. Her presence had left an indelible mark, and it was clear that her arrival had shifted the atmosphere of the gathering, capturing the attention and admiration of those competing
- Interview room -
Interviewer: "Please introduce yourself."
Haneul: "Hello, I'm Son Haneul, and I'm 26 years old. I proudly hold two gold medals from the Heptathlon event in the Rio and Tokyo Olympics."
Interviewer: "The Heptathlon is quite a challenging discipline, consisting of seven events: the 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump, javelin, and finally, the 200m and 800m races. It's considered the ultimate test for athletes. What drives you to compete in such a demanding event?"
Haneul: "Absolutely, the Heptathlon is a true test of an athlete's versatility and endurance. What motivates me to compete in it is the constant pursuit of pushing my limits. I thrive on the challenge it presents, and each event allows me to showcase a different aspect of my athleticism. But when I heard about Physical 101, I realized it was a unique opportunity. It goes beyond competing with fellow heptathletes; it lets me face off against individuals from various sports and professions that I've never had the chance to challenge before. I think it'll be an incredible chance for me to further test my skills, prove my mettle, and show that women are among the greatest athletes of all time."
Haneul flashed a confident smile at the camera, fully aware that her bold statement would surely stir up some excitement when the show aired. Her cheeks puffed up slightly, signalling her readiness to tackle this new and exciting challenge head-on.
- End of interview -
Bo-kyeong's face lit up with a radiant smile as she spotted a familiar face amidst the bustling crowd. With unbridled enthusiasm, she hurried over to greet her old friend, wrapping her in a warm, heartfelt hug. The bond between them had ignited back in 2016 at the Rio Olympics when they had shared a dorm room. Since then, they had become inseparable training buddies at the gym, their friendship growing stronger with each passing year.
Haneul, equally delighted to see her friend, couldn't help but jest as she lightly pushed Bo-kyeong away, playfully exclaiming, "Ya, you lied to me! You said you weren't going to be here!" Her grin gave away the teasing nature of her remark.
With a mischievous twinkle in her eye, Bo-kyeong replied, "That would be ruining the surprise. I saw your bust over here." She hooked her arm through Haneul's and led her towards the display featuring Haneul's impressive accomplishments.
As they strolled together, they couldn't resist showing off their matching tattoos, a testament to their enduring friendship. It was in that moment of shared memories that they realized a growing crowd was beginning to encircle them.
Suddenly, a young woman with an infectious smile approached Haneul, extending her hand for a handshake. "Hi! I'm a big fan," she exclaimed with a sparkle in her eyes.
Haneul, humbled by the admiration, reciprocated with a warm smile and a respectful bow. "Euddeum! I'm so honoured. I watch your videos all the time," she replied, acknowledging the enthusiasm of someone she considered superior in terms of her own achievements. With grace, she made her way around the expanding group, introducing herself with polite bows before the arrival of the final contestant.
As heads turned to catch a glimpse of the newcomer, gasps of astonishment rippled through the crowd. This man was no stranger to fame, having secured South Korea's first gold medal in men's skeleton at Pyeongchang, earning him the moniker "Iron Man" due to his famous Iron Man Helmet. He lived up to the nickname, his impeccable physique a testament to his dedication to training.
Haneul had first met him at the 2018 Winter Olympics, witnessing his golden moment that made the entire nation swell with pride. When he reached his bust, he was immediately swarmed by admirers, leaving Haneul without the opportunity to say hello again after a few months apart. But she didn't mind; after all, she had no intentions of leaving the competition anytime soon, ensuring that there would be ample time for greetings later on.
As Haneul continued chatting with her peers who had stuck around for a quick catch-up, the atmosphere was charged with excitement and anticipation. The buzz of conversation filled the air until a sudden hush fell over the room as a gigantic eye appeared on the massive screens in front of them.
"Welcome to Physical: 100," a booming voice echoed through the room. "Starting now, you will compete in games according to the rules here. Your uniforms are under your torsos. Please start changing into them now."
Haneul wasted no time and reached down to retrieve her designated clothing tucked neatly in a cubby hole. She swiftly pulled on the sleek grey t-shirt over her sports bra, but when it came to the shorts part, she couldn't help but glance around, wondering if everyone was going to change right here in front of everyone else. The thought briefly crossed her mind as she discreetly observed her fellow competitors.
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During this quick clothing change, she managed to sneak a glimpse of her fellow competitors' physiques. Her eyes locked on Sung-Bin, who happened to be watching her closely. Their gazes met, and it was clear that he recognized her, realizing she was indeed the person he thought she was and not some look-alike. Sung-Bin had already finished changing, but he was quickly distracted by another competitor engaging him in conversation, reluctantly tearing his eyes away from Haneul.
Seizing this opportunity, Haneul discreetly pulled down her gym leggings, revealing her impeccably toned legs, and smoothly slipped on her shorts.
Even with the limited time she had to assess the room, Haneul couldn't help but be intrigued by the diverse group of 100 contestants surrounding her. Each face held a unique story, and she eagerly anticipated the first challenge, hoping it would provide valuable insight into the skills and strengths of her fellow competitors.
And then, as the excitement reached its peak, the mysterious voice declared, "We will begin the games now. I wish you luck." The tension in the room was palpable, and Haneul couldn't help but smile, feeling the adrenaline coursing through her veins as the adventure was about to begin.
