Tension Rises in 'Steel Heart Club' as First Elimination Looms

'Steel Heart Club' is set to heighten the tension with the announcement of its first elimination.

Tonight at 10 PM, the third episode of Mnet's 'Steel Heart Club' will air, showcasing the intense 'Mega Band Mission' of the second round, followed by the unveiling of the third challenge, the 'Dual Stage Battle.' As the survival phase intensifies, the competition on stage is expected to heat up.

The preview for episode 3 opens with Director Jung Yong-hwa's declaration, "I will begin the level readjustment." The level readjustment mission to secure a spot in the 'Mega Band' music video kicks off, with fierce solo performances by position. A caption reading 'The Day of Reckoning' and a participant's confession, "I wanted to hide, I felt overwhelmed," heighten curiosity about the intense competition.

MC Moon Ga-young announces, "The third challenge, 'Dual Stage Battle,' will begin," marking the start of a new round. This mission is a survival battle of 'team vs. team,' where only the winning team survives. Moon Ga-young's statement, "For the first time, there will be an elimination," brings a mix of tension and anxiety to the participants, who express their nervousness, saying, "The match-up is really important."

The 'Avengers' team, featuring K-Ten (guitar), Hagiwa (drums), Masha (bass), Lee Yoon-chan (vocals), and Yoon Young-jun (keyboard), who left a strong impression in the first mission, draws attention. Director Lee Jang-won asks, "Are you satisfied with your current team?" to which K-Ten confidently responds, "This is the best team in existence," heating up the atmosphere. Expectations are high for whether they will deliver a 'legendary performance' that lives up to their overwhelming talent and presence.

Despite an estimated viewership rating of 0%, 'Steel Heart Club' has proven its strong buzz, surpassing 60 million cumulative views on social media (YouTube long-form & shorts, Instagram Reels, TikTok combined) in just two episodes. The participants' stage clips and band performances have dominated real-time feeds across platforms, with related keywords trending high on X (formerly Twitter), igniting online discussions and setting a new trend for Mnet's band entertainment.

Who will hold their ground on stage, and who will face the first elimination? The intensified competition of 'Steel Heart Club' episode 3 airs tonight at 10 PM.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr