Steel Troops () is a South Korean reality show broadcast on Channel A and ENA (formerly skyTV). Dubbed a "military survival program," the show features male South Korean reservists who served in various special forces units across different branches of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. Participants go head to head in teams of four, representing their respective unit to fight for the title of the best special forces unit in Korea.
A series of missions, designed by military experts, test the participants' physical stamina, mental strength, and cooperation to determine the last team standing. Episodes also include concurrent commentary from a panel of hosts, including the "Master" who runs the competition events.
Season 1 aired every Tuesday at 22:30 (KST) from March 23, 2021, to July 20, 2021. This season featured 24 participants from six units across the Republic of Korea Army and Republic of Korea Navy. It was also released on Netflix under the title The Iron Squad and gained a high viewership ranking on release.
Season 2 aired every Tuesday at 21:20 (KST) from February 22, 2022, to June 7, 2022. The new season introduces two new units not featured in Season 1, including one from the Republic of Korea Air Force, for a total of 32 participants hailing from eight units.
Season 3 premiered on September 19, 2023 and airs every Tuesday at 22:30 (KST). Another two new units were introduced, including the first non-Korean team, composed of former retired US special forces members, alongside new participants from the top four units of Season 2.
Hosts PanelistSeason 1Season 2Season 3WKim Sung-jooAll episodesAll episodesAll episodesAll episodesJang Dong-minEp. 1–8Kim Hee-chulAbsent in ep. 9All episodesAll episodesKim Dong-hyunAbsent in ep. 5–6Choi Young-jae (Master)All episodesChuuAbsent in ep. 13–14An Yu-jinAbsent in ep. 10–12Yoon Doo-joonAll episodesJang Eun-silAll episodesGuest PanelistsEp. 13Ep. 6, 10–16Yujeong (Brave Girls)Ep. 14Oh Jong-hyukEp. 5, 9Yuk Jun-SeoEp. 9–12Jo Sung-wonEp. 7–10
Participants Each team consists of four reservists representing their respective special forces unit, with a team leader (indicated in bold) selected by the team members.
Season 1 Unit Name Military Branch MembersReservist Rank Special Warfare Command () ROK Army Park Jun-woo ()Sangsa (Master sergeant)Jeong Tae-gyun (Marvel.J)Jungwi (Lieutenant)Kim Hyun-dongHasa (Staff sergeant)Park Do-hyeonJungsa (Sergeant first class) Marine Corps Special Recon () ROK Marine Corps Oh Jong-hyukByeongjang (Sergeant)Ahn PhilipHasa (Staff sergeant)Jeong HoonJungwi (Lieutenant)Byeongjang (Sergeant) 707th Special Mission Group () ROK Army Lee Jin-bongJungsa (Sergeant first class)Im Woo-youngYeom Seung-chulKim Pil-sungPark Soo-min UDT () ROK Navy Kim Bum-Seok (Kim Min-jun)Jungsa (Sergeant first class)Yuk Jun-seoHasa (Staff sergeant)Jeong Jong-hyunJungsa (Sergeant first class)Kim Sang-wookByeongjang (Sergeant) SDT (Special Duty Team) () ROK Army Kim Min-suByeongjang (Sergeant)Lee Jeong-minKang JunKang Won-jae SSU (Sea Salvage & Rescue Unit) () ROK Navy Jeong Seong-hoonHasa (Staff sergeant)Jeong Hae-chulByeongjang (Sergeant)Kim Min-suHwang Chung-won
Season 2 Unit Name Military Branch MembersReservist Rank Special Warfare Command () ROK Army Kim Hwang-jungJungwi (Lieutenant)Oh Sang-youngJungsa (Sergeant first class)Choi Yong-junJeong Tae-pungByeongjang (Sergeant)Seong Tae-hyunJungsa (Sergeant first class) Marine Corps Special Recon () ROK Marine Corps Jeong Ho-geunJungwi (Lieutenant)Park Gil-yeonHasa (Staff sergeant)Lee Dae-youngByeongjang (Sergeant)Gu Dong-yeol 707th Special Mission Group () ROK Army Lee Ju-yongJungsa (Sergeant first class)Hong Myeong-hwaGu Seong-hwiLee Jeong-won UDT () ROK Navy Yoon Jong-jinHasa (Staff sergeant)Gwon Ho-jeJungsa (Sergeant first class)Gu Min-cheolHasa (Staff sergeant)Kim Myeong-jaeByeongjang (Sergeant) SDT (Special Duty Team) () ROK Navy Song Bo-geunByeongjang (Sergeant)ROK ArmyChoi Seong-hyeonJi Won-jaeROK Air ForceKim Tae-hoROK ArmyKang Jun SSU (Sea Salvage & Rescue Unit) () ROK Navy Kim Dong-rokJungsa (Sergeant first class)Heo Nam-gilHasa (Staff sergeant)Kim Jeong-wooKim GeonByeongjang (Sergeant)SART (Special Air Rescue Team) ()ROK Air ForceJeon Hyeong-jinHasa (Staff sergeant)Kang Cheong-myungJungsa (Sergeant first class)Jo Seong-hoHasa (Staff sergeant)Lee Yu-jeongJungsa (Sergeant first class)HID (Headquarters of Intelligence Detachment) ()ROK Army (ROK Defence Intelligence Command)Kim Seung-minUndisclosedLee Min-gonHan Jae-sungLee Dong-gyu
Season 3 Unit Name Military Branch MembersReservist Rank Special Warfare Command () ROK Army Bae Yi-jeongDaewi (Captain)Park Mun-hoJungsa (Sergeant first class)Jeong Seung-hunKim Dae-seong 707th Special Mission Group () ROK Army Hong Beom-seokSangsa (Master sergeant)Oh Yo-hanDaewi (Captain)Park Chan-gyuJungsa (Sergeant first class)Lee Yu-seok UDT () ROK Navy Kim Gyeong-baekSangsa (Master sergeant)Lee Jeong-junDaewi (Captain)Jeong Jong-hyunJungsa (Sergeant first class)Lee Han-junHasa (Staff sergeant)HID (Headquarters of Intelligence Detachment) ()ROK Army (ROK Defence Intelligence Command)Kang Min-hoUndisclosedGo Ya-yungPark Ji-yunLee Dong-gyuUDU (Underwater Demolition Unit) ()ROK Navy (ROK Defence Intelligence Command)Kim Su-wonUndisclosedKim Hyeon-yeongGo In-hoLee Byeong-juUSSF (United States Special Forces)US Navy SEALsKaj Larsen (Age: 46)Lieutenant Commander (Ret.)Ian Schinelli (Age: 37)Petty Officer First Class (Ret.)Jeff Gum (Age: 39)Petty Officer First Class (Ret.)US Green Beret and Marine Force Recon (not listed on show)Wil Ravelo (Age: 46)Sergeant First Class (Ret.)
List of episodes In the ratings below, the highest rating for the season will be in and the lowest rating for the season will be in .
Season 1 Episode Broadcast Date Rating 1 March 23, 2021 2 March 30, 2021 3.484% 3 April 6, 2021 4.353% 4 April 13, 2021 4.900% 5 April 20, 2021 4.746% 6 April 27, 2021 4.834% 7 May 4, 2021 6.267% 8 May 11, 2021 5.902% 9 May 18, 2021 10 May 25, 2021 5.777% 11 June 1, 2021 5.721% 12 June 8, 2021 5.628% 13 June 15, 2021 5.410% 14 June 22, 2021 4.746%"Reunion" Special 15 June 29, 2021 4.210% 16 July 6, 2021 3.712%"Behind the Scenes" Special17July 13, 20213.022%18July 20, 20211.6%
Season 2 Episodes Broadcast DateRating 1 February 22, 2022 4.209% 2 March 1, 2022 3 March 8, 2022 3.722% 4 March 15, 2022 3.330% 5 March 22, 2022 6 March 29, 2022 3.1% 7 April 5, 2022 3.833% 8 April 12, 2022 3.379% 9 April 19, 2022 3.545% 10 April 26, 2022 3.506% 11 May 3, 2022 3.415% 12 May 10, 2022 3.589% 13 May 17, 2022 3.537% 14 May 24, 2022 3.105%
Mission results Season 1 The first three elimination stages followed a double-elimination tournament style, with a main mission (indicated in bold) determining the participants of the "Death Match" elimination round. Following the revival round, the competition switched to a single-elimination style without a Death Match. Each stage also featured a "Benefit Mission" where the winner would be given an advantage in the main mission that followed. In the case of the second elimination stage, the lowest-ranking team was also sent directly to Death Match, bypassing the main mission. StageMissionSWCMCSR707UDTSDTSSUStrongest member contestRound 1: Trench Combat2 advanced3 advanced1 advanced2 advanced2 advanced2 advancedRound 2: Assault Course2 advanced0 advanced0 advanced1 advanced1 advanced1 advancedRound 3: Winter Sea Rescue3rd, 4th2nd5th1stFirst eliminationIBS RescueLost(vs 707)Lost(vs UDT)Won(vs SWC)Won(vs MCSR)Lost(vs SSU)Won(vs SDT)Death Match: Tire Flip1stEliminated2ndSecond eliminationBenefit MissionRound 1: Highland Race2nd1st4th5th3rdRound 2: Range ShootingLostWonCounter-terrorism RescueWon(vs SDT)Won(vs SSU)Lost(vs SWC)Lost(vs 707)Death Match: 10 km Mountain March1stEliminated2ndThird eliminationBenefit Mission Round 1: Capture the LeaderWon(vs SSU)Lost(vs UDT)Won(vs 707)Lost(vs SWC)Round 2: Tire Tug-of-warLostWonNightfall Joint Operation(SWC & 707 vs UDT & SSU)WonWonLostLostDeath Match: Tire ScrambleWonEliminatedRevival Round: Breaching Garorim Bay2nd3rdRevivedRound of 4Benefit Mission: Target Shooting3rd2nd1stRecapture the Ship (SWC vs UDT)EliminatedWonFrontline Supplies (707 vs SSU)EliminatedWonFinalBenefit Mission: Marine InfiltrationWonLostOperation IsabuWonRunner-up
Season 2 The second season largely continued with the format of main missions and Death Matches until the round of 4, with the exception of the first stage which was a direct elimination round. Other notable changes include:
Upgraded benefits, such as an increased quantity (strongest member contest) or automatic advancement to the next stage (second Benefit Mission) Use of live firing in shooting contests, instead of airsoft guns as used in Season 1 Joint elimination, as in the third stage Possibility of mission failure, as in the second and final stages
StageMissionSWCMCSR707UDTSDTSSUSARTHIDStrongest member contestRound 1: Trench Combat2 advanced2 advanced2 advanced2 advanced2 advanced1 advanced0 advanced1 advancedRound 2: Assault Course1 advanced1 advanced2 advanced0 advanced1 advanced1 advanced0 advancedRound 3: 100 kg Log Pull3rd2nd1st, 6th4th5thFirst eliminationWinter Highland RaceWon(vs SDT)Won(vs SSU)Won(vs HID)Lost(vs SART)Lost(vs SWC)Lost(vs MCSR)Won(vs UDT)Lost(vs 707)SurvivedSurvivedEliminatedSurvivedSecond eliminationBenefit Mission Round 1: Precision Shooting2nd (27)6th (22)7th (19)2nd (27)5th (24)4th (26)1st (28)Round 2: Infiltration Sniper3rd2nd1stCounter-terrorism Hostage RescueWon(vs 707)Won(vs SART)Lost(vs SWC)Won(vs SDT)Lost(vs UDT)Lost(vs MCSR)AdvancedDeath Match: 50 kg Signal Gear Transport2ndEliminated1stThird eliminationBenefit Mission: Rucksack Foot VolleyballWonAdvancedLostLostAdvancedWonWonLostLostWonMaritime Joint Operation2nd(with HID)3rd(with SART)1st(with UDT)1st(with 707)3rd(with MCSR)2nd(with SWC)Death Match: Alliance Tire FlipWonEliminatedEliminatedWonRound of 4Benefit MissionRound 1: Capture the FlagWon(vs 707)Lost(vs SWC)Lost(vs HID)Won(vs UDT)Round 2: Capture the LeaderLost(vs HID)Won(vs SWC)Recapture the Plane (SWC vs 707)WonEliminatedGarorim Bay Supplies (UDT vs HID)WonEliminatedFinalBenefit Mission: Shooting Roundup
Round 1: Precision Shooting Round 2: Mobile Shooting Round 3: Infiltration SniperLost (1:2)Won (2:1)Operation NuriWonRunner-up
Season 3 As of the second elimination stage, the competition format remains unchanged. This season opened with a notably higher calibre team introductions segment, where the customary pull-up friendly contest in a filming studio was upgraded to live firing at sea on a Korean Coast Guard vessel. Other show firsts included:
Access to military bases for events involving live firing Use of MILES gear by opposition forces Participants joining the opposition forces against their competitors, as in the second stage
StageMissionSWC707UDTHIDUDUUSSFStrongest member contestRound 1: Trench Combat2 advanced0 advanced4 advanced4 advanced2 advanced0 advancedRound 2: Assault Course0 advanced2 advanced3 advanced1 advancedRound 3: Hostage Rescue & ShootingWonLostLostFirst eliminationMarine Explosive DisposalLost(vs UDU)Won(vs HID)Lost(vs USSF)Lost(vs 707)Won(vs SWC)Won(vs UDT)Death Match: 3-ton Truck PushEliminated1st2ndSecond eliminationBenefit Mission 1Round 1: Multi-Firearm Shooting3rd4th1st1st5thRound 2: Infiltration Sniper3rd1st2ndBenefit Mission 2: Tire Tug-of-war3rd3rd2nd1stCounter-terrorism Joint Operation(707 & USSF vs UDT & UDU)WonLostAdvancedLostWonDeath Match: Mud Flat Tire FlipWonEliminatedRound of 4Mopping-up Operations(HID vs USSF)WonEliminatedSupply Foot March(707 vs UDT)WonEliminatedFinalBenefit Mission: Integrated Mobile Shooting
Round 1: Pistol Shooting Round 2: Breaching and Rifle Shooting Round 3: Marine Infiltration Sniper Won (Quickest time over combined 3 rounds) 1.Lost 2. Win 3. LostLost 1.Win 2. Lost 3. WinSummit VIP Rescue OperationHID Won
Notes
References
External links Season 1 website