Mnet's '전국반짝투어' featured the group TREASURE turning Donghae into a festival ground.
On the May 9 broadcast of Mnet's idol festa operation '전국반짝투어' (directed by PD Jo Hye-mi) episode 5, a special day of TREASURE, who served as so-called "rice ambassadors," was depicted during their visit to Donghae in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. They directly sold the local specialty "Donghae rice," and the members' passion after a successful performance further highlighted the significance of regional coexistence.
The broadcast began with a surprise mission given to TREASURE members who had just returned from an overseas schedule. Through regional hints revealed inside the car, the members realized the performance location was Donghae and were appointed "one-day Donghae rice ambassadors" with only 20 hours left until the performance. They faced an unprecedented time-attack mission: sell the local specialty Donghae rice and promote the concert within the allotted time. While unable to hide their nervousness, the members expressed their global boy-group ambition, saying, "Let's let overseas fans know the charm of Donghae rice."
Upon arriving in Donghae, the TREASURE members faced another challenge. As Donghae has the smallest population among the cities visited on '전국반짝투어' to date, they needed to win over not only local residents but also tourists to fill the venue. The members split into two teams of five for a 20-minute guerrilla rice sale, and an impromptu wrestling contest to divide the teams added fun. After fierce contests from thigh wrestling to arm wrestling, the Asahi team (Asahi, Yoon Jae-hyeok, Choi Hyun-seok, Yoshi, Doyoung) and the Jun-gyu team (Jun-gyu, Ji-hoon, Park Jeong-woo, So Jeong-hwan, Haruto) were finalized.
The Jun-gyu team, which chose the downtown area, seemed to face a brief crisis due to fewer passersby than expected, but they turned the tide by heading to a well-timed spot, the senior center. After giving a surprise concert for the elderly, the members achieved sales of 54 units. Meanwhile, the Asahi team succeeded with a more strategic approach, selling as many as 106 units. Targeting the parents' generation and actively promoting the unlimited purchase option at 990 won each proved effective. In particular, Choi Hyun-seok emerged as an ace, acting as a true strategist and direct-sales expert on site.
The first pop-up took place simultaneously at a cafe and a truck within Mangseong Beach. TREASURE members demonstrated fantastic teamwork and continued speedy sales, with Ji-hoon's performance standing out especially. The site was packed with not only local residents but TREASURE Makers (the fandom name) from around the world, and the atmosphere grew even hotter with the visit of a 78-year-old grandmother rapper and Donghae's representative YouTuber.
The second pop-up unfolded at the Donghae youth center and Ddojaebigol. In particular, a "Street Donghae Girls Fighter" dance battle performed on the spot by youths, who are the future leaders, heightened the atmosphere and drew significant attention. Ddojaebigol, a tourist attraction, was somewhat quiet, but the members poured their energy into selling rice and promoting the concert, keeping their passion until the end.
The finale performance, staged against the sea for the first time on '전국반짝투어,' was the peak and highlight of the festa. When the stage was unveiled by a surprise event from the audience, TREASURE was deeply moved by the much larger crowd than expected. They heated the stage with songs such as "YELLOW," "Saruru," and "EVERYTHING," and the "rice time" unique to '전국반짝투어' also received a strong response from the audience.
The midsummer night festival in Donghae, which people of all ages could enjoy, gave everyone a special memory. The members shared heartfelt impressions, saying, "Spending a day making memories with Donghae citizens and TREASURE Makers will remain deeply in our hearts." Reactions from Donghae citizens and fans were also warm. A resident living in Donghae said, "I learned about TREASURE for the first time through this opportunity, and I think I will start to like them going forward," indicating they had just "fallen for" them, and messages of affection followed, such as "Please visit Donghae again," and "TREASURE, thanks for feeding us."
Meanwhile, next week the group RIIZE is expected to head to Seongnam to sell "roses," raising anticipation. Mnet's '전국반짝투어' airs every Tuesday at 10 p.m.
[Photo] Mnet
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