MBC variety show 'Manitto Club' captivated viewers by adding the fun of a psychological game of deducing each other's identities after a legendary chase. With the long-awaited first meeting of Manitto members summoned to the Korea headquarters and the preview of a group activity called "secret Manitto," expectations are rising.
In the second episode of MBC's Manitto Club (directed by Kim Tae-ho), which aired on the 8th, the gift relay among Manitto Club members began in earnest. With random Manittos decided in the order of Lee Suji, Jeni, Dex, Choo Sung Hoon, and Ro Hong-chul, the members of Manitto Club, who know how to share one into two when they receive something, continued their chaotic gift operations while hiding their identities, delivering abundant fun along with unprecedented dopamine.
Jeni's tactic was literally a "gift barrage." Having perfectly grasped Dex's tastes as a camping enthusiast and "anime otaku," Jeni prepared a total of six "gamdahal" gifts, from a name cookie bearing Dex's name "Jinyoung" to a camping chair, a multi-tool knife, an umbrella, and a figure random box, leaving viewers stunned. In particular, the chase between Jeni and Dex that unfolded in the gym delivered tension worthy of a spy thriller. After careful route calculation, Jeni succeeded in three consecutive gift drops and escaped, and Dex, a UDT veteran who chased to capture the Manitto, added excitement with his sprinting.
After checking the first gift of vitamins followed by the name cookie, multi-tool knife, and figure gifts, Dex said "I never imagined this" and admired the gift list that perfectly targeted even his "black lover" tastes. During the figure gacha draw, he even pulled a secret figure himself and savored an exhilarating dopamine rush. Dex also prepared a novel gift for Choo Sung Hoon. He recruited Kim Sejun, who appeared with him on Single's Inferno 2, as an accomplice and entrusted the Manitto delivery to him as his avatar, drawing attention. In particular, he prepared a 2022 vintage wine that recalled Choo Sung Hoon's last official match in 2022, a letter, and a protein lunch box warmed with a hot pack, giving the gift more than just "meaning."
The journeys of members who couldn't even deliver their first gift drew interest as well. In particular, Ro Hong-chul attracted attention by finding Lee Suji's makeup shop and succeeding in delivering the gift after a full seven hours. To get Lee Suji's favorite iced decaf latte, he crisscrossed the city, and he showed such meticulousness that he said "I've never done this even for my girlfriend" and prepared ice separately to deliver the coffee in the best possible condition. After delivering the gift through an accomplice along with a picture book, a knit sweater, and a handwritten letter, Ro Hong-chul even showed a risky prone pose to directly witness Lee Suji's front-row reaction, adding tension and laughter.
Meanwhile, Lee Suji transformed into Santa "McClee" and launched her second gift operation. She prepared a diary and decorating items for Jeni, expressing her fandom, and drew laughs by investing as much as 70,000 won only on stickers. In the process, she also delivered healing by encountering children full of innocence, taxi drivers and other gift-like meetings. Later, Lee Suji's reaction to the gift prepared by Ro Hong-chul was superb. The two showed that their tastes and sensibilities matched well. After the life latte, Lee Suji was moved by Ro Hong-chul's thoughtfulness—bright-colored knitwear and a book chosen with her in mind—and choked up, saying "I think I'm someone who likes receiving more than giving."
Choo Sung Hoon was the member he pondered over the longest. Emphasizing the preciousness of "time," which cannot be bought with money, he showed that he agonized over Ro Hong-chul more than anyone. After closely examining Ro Hong-chul's YouTube content, he planned a large-scale scheme centered on their shared interest in bikes—limited-edition bikes, circuit rentals, and so on—but ran into real-world barriers. Having even recruited accomplice Kim Jaejoong to flesh out travel plans, he ultimately drew attention by pushing forward with a generous 2 Days & 1 Night trip to Japan for Ro Hong-chul and a plan to document it on YouTube.
Meanwhile, the Manitto Club Korea headquarters drew interest by sending a summons message to the members. While Manitto Club members such as Santa, Jini, and Ureonggaksi are active in various parts of the world, the Korea headquarters has finally revealed itself. Starting with the first face-to-face meeting between Jeni and Ro Hong-chul, Choo Sung Hoon, Lee Suji, and Dex appeared one after another, and a full-scale Manitto guessing game of deceiving and being deceived unfolded, heightening interest. In particular, the appearance of Kim Sejun, who served as Dex's accomplice and delivery agent as well as his "avatar," pushed the situation further into mystery. Choo Sung Hoon was visibly moved by Dex's gift, which he received without knowing the reason—a meaningful 2022 vintage wine and a protein lunch box.
Amid Ro Hong-chul's fanatical concentrated investigation, the identities of the Manittos gradually began to take shape. There was also an unprecedented twist. Someone's identity was exposed during the gift delivery process. The person was revealed to be Ro Hong-chul, and Lee Suji delivered a vivid account of directly witnessing him, bringing bursts of laughter. With the unexpected variable of an early termination occurring, Manitto Club wrapped up individual Manittos and raised expectations by announcing a new phase: a group activity for elementary school students called "secret Manitto." In addition, Choo Sung Hoon straightforwardly proposed an extravagant 2 Days & 1 Night trip for Ro Hong-chul, making an impromptu friendship trip come together and adding to the curiosity.
[Photo] broadcast capture
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