MBC's 'Manito Club' Struggles to Captivate Viewers Despite Star-Studded Cast

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The much-anticipated show turned out to be underwhelming. Despite its impressive lineup and a concept reminiscent of MBC's 'Infinite Challenge,' the entertainment value and thrilling execution fell short. Ratings plummeted to 1% by the second episode. This is the story of Kim Tae-ho PD's new variety show, MBC's 'Manito Club.'

Premiering on the 1st, 'Manito Club' is a real variety show where participants secretly deliver gifts to their 'Manito.' The initial cast included Jennie, Dex, Choo Sung-hoon, Noh Hong-chul, and Lee Soo-ji. Even before airing, 'Manito Club' was compared to the chase sequences of 'Infinite Challenge,' a concept frequently used by Kim Tae-ho PD.

However, the debut episode of 'Manito Club' was marred by sloppy execution, diminishing its entertainment value. Choo Sung-hoon's voice was accidentally revealed during an anonymous video chat for Manito selection, and Kim Tae-ho PD was seen dropping a coin during the draw. Choo Sung-hoon failed to recognize his Manito, Noh Hong-chul, from a photo and didn't prepare a gift, misunderstanding the concept. While other members roamed around Seoul, Choo Sung-hoon lingered near his hotel.

Noh Hong-chul, once a standout in 'Infinite Challenge' chases, was deemed less impressive in 'Manito Club.' He prepared clothes, books, and a latte for his Manito, Lee Soo-ji, but his identity was exposed due to his conspicuous voice, leading to the premature end of the two-day Manito schedule.

Dex and Jennie stood out in 'Manito Club.' Jennie excelled in her Manito role, showering Dex with six gifts, including vitamins, personalized snacks, a camping chair, a multi-tool, an umbrella, and a random figure box, creating tension with a chase at the gym.

Dex showed enthusiasm by sneaking into a hotel to gift Choo Sung-hoon a protein shake and even hired an assistant to deliver a lunchbox. He tailored his gifts to Choo Sung-hoon's tastes, including meat and wine.

Despite their efforts, 'Manito Club' failed to capture the thrill of a chase. Viewers commented, "It's hard to make such a star-studded show so dull," "Kim Tae-ho seems to have lost his touch," "Feels like a boring 'Infinite Challenge,'" and "The editing is too slow to build tension." While some noted that "the second episode was better than the first," disappointment in Kim Tae-ho PD's variety show remains high.

Ratings and buzz are also low. 'Manito Club' started with a 2.1% rating, dropping to 1.6% by the second episode, far below the 4.4% of its predecessor, 'King of Mask Singer.' A 1% rating in the prime Sunday 6 PM slot is a painful result. In terms of buzz, only Jennie ranked 8th in the non-drama category for the 5th week of January, according to FunDex.

'Manito Club' features a rotating cast. Go Yoon-jung, Jung Hae-in, and Kim Do-hoon are set to appear, with Park Bo-young, Cha Tae-hyun, Lee Sun-bin, Kang Hoon, and Hwang Kwang-hee having completed filming. To overcome initial criticism and improve, changes in direction are urgently needed. The production team must consider faster editing and enhancing the chase element to revive interest.

Tae Yuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr