Steel Troops

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.

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

Season 2

Season 3

List of episodes
In the ratings below, the highest rating for the season will be in red and the lowest rating for the season will be in blue.

Season 1

Season 2

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.

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

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