[Edaily Starin YUN GI BACK Reporter] tvN’s variety show “Iron Girls” has gone beyond being a simple sports variety show to take on the role of an “action school” that uncovers the actresses’ hidden action potential. Following triathlons and boxing, the show is now taking on short track speed skating in Season 3, and Producer Bang Geul-i plans to bring out the cast’s physical stamina, competitive spirit, and even expressions rarely seen in their usual projects.

At the “tvN Creator Talk 2026” event held on the 16th at the CJ ENM Center in Mapo-gu, Seoul, Producer Bang Geul-i spoke about “Iron Girls 3,” saying, “There’s a thrilling unpredictability when sports and variety shows come together,” and added, “Showing the members’ growth and transformation is a key goal for the production team.”
Scheduled to air in the second half of this year, “Iron Girls 3” will take on short track speed skating, following previous challenges in triathlon and boxing. Starring Seol In-ah, Geum Sae-rok, Han Ji-hyun, and Yeon Woo, the show will feature not only individual events but also a relay race in which all four compete together, aiming for a gold medal at a community sports festival.
Producer Bang expressed particular satisfaction at seeing how the experience gained on *Iron Girls* has translated into the actors’ main careers. Following her challenges in triathlon and boxing on *Iron Girls*, Seol In-ah took on the role of Jae-hee, a detective and former special forces operative, in tvN’s new drama *My Guilty Human*, where she performed her own stunts without a stunt double.
Producer Bang said, “I often told actress In-ah, ‘It would be such a waste to let this talent go to waste. I hope she gets more opportunities to showcase it wherever she goes,’” adding, “But seeing it actually lead directly to a project made me incredibly proud.”
She continued, “I’ve watched a lot of footage from *My Guilty Man*, and the action scenes were filmed really impressively.” She added, “It was even more enjoyable because I’ve watched her growth from the time she didn’t even know the one-two punch stance in boxing to the point where her coaches said, ‘We should make her a professional athlete.’”

Producer Bang cited the actors’ “unvarnished expressions” as another strength of “Iron Girls.” He said, “I think the defining characteristic of ‘Iron Girls’ is ‘sweat.’” He continued, “There’s a certain expression that comes through when they’re sweating with bare faces and really struggling—and those expressions are actually the most beautiful.”
He continued, “I think the production team appreciates the actors’ different expressions and healthy energy that they haven’t shown in previous works,” adding, “I hope that Geum Sae-rok, Han Ji-hyun, and Yeon Woo from this season will continue to land great roles through these very qualities.”
The decision to feature short track as this season’s sport was also made to showcase the team’s charm. Producer Bang explained, “Any South Korean has likely experienced the nervous anticipation of wondering if a skater will fall while watching short track, followed by an immense sense of exhilaration when they make a pass,” adding, “I was surprised to see such tremendous enthusiasm not only for the national team but also for recreational short track.”

Season 3, in particular, places more emphasis on the relay—a team event created by the four members working together—rather than individual records. Producer Bang said, “While competing in individual events is a goal, our ultimate goal is for the four members to compete in the relay—the highlight of short track—and win a gold medal at a recreational sports competition.”
When asked if she had any plans to branch out beyond sports variety shows to direct dramas or movies, she reiterated her passion for variety. PD Bang said, “With variety shows, even after a great deal of preparation, the results can sometimes fall short of expectations—and other times, they exceed them by far,” adding, “I get excited every time I go on set because I never know what the outcome will be.” He continued, “That thrill is even more electrifying when combined with sports,” adding, “I haven’t dared to try my hand at dramas or movies, so I can’t say for sure, but I absolutely love the unique charm of the variety show genre. Even if it’s not sports-related, I think I’ll continue to explore and plan other variety show formats.”