The second episode of MBC's 'Manito Club', aired on the 8th, showcased the gift relay among the club members. With the random selection of manitos including Lee Suji, Jennie, Dex, Choo Sung-hoon, and Noh Hong-chul, the members continued their secretive gift strategies. Jennie's approach was a literal gift bombardment. Understanding Dex's love for camping and anime, she prepared six gifts, including personalized snacks with his name 'Jinyoung', a camping chair, a multi-tool knife, an umbrella, and a figure random box. The chase between Jennie and Dex at the gym added a thrilling espionage-like tension. Jennie successfully delivered three consecutive gifts and escaped, while Dex, a former UDT member, pursued her with intensity.
After discovering the gifts, including vitamins, personalized snacks, a multi-tool knife, and a figure, Dex was amazed, saying, "I never imagined this," as the gifts perfectly matched his 'Black Lover' taste. He even experienced a dopamine rush by drawing a secret figure from the gacha box. Dex also prepared a unique gift for Choo Sung-hoon, enlisting Kim Se-jun from 'Single's Inferno 2' as a helper to deliver his manito gift. He included a 2022 vintage wine, a letter, and a protein meal heated with a hot pack, reminiscent of Choo's last official match in 2022.
The journey of members who struggled to deliver their first gifts also drew attention. Noh Hong-chul, in particular, took seven hours to deliver a gift to Lee Suji at her makeup shop. He went to great lengths to find her favorite iced decaf latte, even preparing ice separately to ensure the best condition, saying, "I've never done this even for a girlfriend." He added a storybook, a knit, and a handwritten letter, delivering the gifts through a helper and even risking a crawl to witness Lee Suji's reaction firsthand, adding tension and humor.
Meanwhile, Lee Suji, transformed into Santa 'McKlee', initiated her second gift operation. She prepared a diary and decorating items for Jennie, investing 70,000 won in stickers, bringing laughter. Along the way, she shared heartwarming encounters with children and a taxi driver, spreading healing vibes. Lee Suji's reaction to Noh Hong-chul's gift was also noteworthy. The two showed a perfect match in taste and sentiment, with Lee Suji moved by the thoughtful gifts, saying, "I think I prefer receiving over giving," with tears in her eyes.
Choo Sung-hoon was the member who pondered the longest. Emphasizing the value of 'time', which money can't buy, he meticulously planned a grand-scale gift centered around their shared interest in bikes, including a limited-edition bike and circuit rental, but faced real-world obstacles. Enlisting Kim Jae-joong as a helper, he eventually planned a generous 1-night, 2-day trip to Japan for Noh Hong-chul, with plans to capture it on YouTube.
Amidst this, the Korean headquarters of Manito Club issued a summons to the members, drawing attention. With members like Santa, Genie, and the Fairy Godmother active worldwide, the Korean headquarters finally unveiled itself. The first meeting between Jennie and Noh Hong-chul, followed by appearances from Choo Sung-hoon, Lee Suji, and Dex, set the stage for an intriguing manito mystery. The appearance of Kim Se-jun, Dex's helper and delivery agent, added to the intrigue. Choo Sung-hoon was deeply moved by the meaningful 2022 vintage wine and protein meal he received from Dex.
As Noh Hong-chul's intense investigation unfolded, the identities of the manitos began to emerge. There was an unexpected twist when one member's identity was revealed during the gift delivery process. The person was Noh Hong-chul, and Lee Suji shared a vivid account of witnessing him, causing laughter. With the unforeseen early conclusion, 'Manito Club' announced a new phase with a group activity 'Secret Manito' targeting elementary students.
Reporter: Se-yoon Jung, TenAsia yoon@tenasia.co.kr