Longer, uncut versions of each episode were released the following Wednesday at 18:00 (KST) on the YouTube channel "뉴띵 NDD".

In the first episode, the show was explained as a three-season project:[3] The survival program has been compared by media and viewers to Steel Troops, which has a similar special forces premise and aired its first season half a year earlier.

In response to the comparison, show host Kim Sang-joong said that "[The Soldiers] is more upgraded and entertaining, with more intense missions.

"[4] Show producer Gi Sang-soo also asserted that The Soldiers is "the first television program of its kind," with its global focus bearing the largest distinction.

The mentors then collectively ranked the remaining 16 participants prior to selecting their desired team members.