[Wadiz Stories] Small updates Wadiz, brought to you by Hong Jin-guk, our PR manager. We’ll introduce Wadiz life and fun culture of the Jin-guk team.
Hello, I’mWadiz, Hong Jin-guk, ENFP PR Manager.
“Please focus for just 10 minutes. In a moment, at 12:00 sharp, two of Wadiz top talents will be singing on a YouTube Live stream…”
That's how it all began.
It was finally announced on Wadiz “General Chat” internal messenger channel—a place where things are always chaotic—that there would be a “guerrilla showcase.” And this was just 30 minutes before lunchtime 🙄
The so-called "Wadiz Lunch King"
This was a live singing competition modeled after the MBC show *King of Mask Singer*. It was the brainchild of Vice President Choi Dong-cheol, who recently celebrated his birthday by treating all employees to unlimited coffee at the company café—all out of his own pocket.
Lunch King Round 1… The contestant is a secret
1️⃣Go Away, COVID! The Childlike Kimbap Man
2️⃣What should I have for lunch today? Indecisive Teacher Ma (WIN 🥇)
The hosts secretly invited two guests known for their creative naming skills. The event drew an overwhelming response, with concurrent viewers surpassing 180 (two-thirds ofWadiz). After singing, a real-time vote was held, and Kimbap Man, who unfortunately had to face elimination, was immediately revealed. For those who voted, we selected 10 people at random based on the order of their votes—using the "Mugunghwa Flower Has Bloomed" method—and gave them special gifts. (Rumor has it that the selection method was the brainchild of Vice President Choi Dong-cheol, an MBTI "ESFP" [Free-spirited Entertainer].)
△ Turns out it’s “Kimbap Man, the Child Prodigy Who Tells COVID-19 to Back Off,” a celebrity Wadiz
Round 2 Begins… A Project to Awaken the Five Senses Wadiz
“
—a simple, lighthearted project designed to awaken the five senses of the Jin-gu crew right before lunch, so they can enjoy an even more delicious meal. Wadiz Lunch King!”
1️⃣ Let’s Stop Breathing in Fine Dust: Clean Air, Health Genius
2️⃣ You’ve got to eat well to climb Chilgapsan: The Mountain Village’s Food King (WIN 🥇)
It’s been about a week since Round 1 ended unexpectedly. Round 2 kicked off with an announcement posted just before lunch! Once again, two newcomers with unique nicknames have joined the competition. Health Genius, showing off a clear and pure voice, chose singer Park Hye-kyung’s “Annyeong,” while Food Commander, showcasing a warm, deep, and robust voice, selected singer Lee Chan-won’s “Jinttobaegi,” getting Wadiznationwide (?) to tap their feet along to the chorus, “Heo-iya-di-ya, Heo-iya-di-ya~~.”
The long-awaited final—who will be crowned the Wadiz Lunch King?
About 40 days after the first round took place on February 23, the long-awaited final finally began. The two contestants who had won the first and second rounds in this single-elimination tournament took the stage to the cheers of the crowd.
1️⃣ When you're hungry, listen to Jang Beom-jun's "Chilgapsan" (formerly "To Cross Chilgapsan, You've Got to Eat Well"—the mountain village's top chef)
2️⃣ What to eat for lunch today? Indecisive Teacher Ma
↑※An unprecedented situation has occurred: the "Meal Master" has asked to change his nickname
Song selection must have been crucial, as they say, “Song choice is half the battle in an audition.” “Jang Beom-jun of Chilgapsan When I’m Hungry,” who instantly captivated the audience with his powerful voice, sang “Memories” by singer Jang Beom-jun. “What Should I Eat for Lunch Today? Indecisive Teacher Ma,” who showcased charisma with his deep, rich voice, sang Lee Juck’s “Running Through the Sky.”
Given how intense the competition was, all eyes were on the results. Vice President Choi Dong-cheol’s ad-lib—saying he’d be right back after watching a 60-second commercial (which made us wonder if he might actually hold a professional recreation certification)—was met with a barrage of boos. After watching the WadizFan Shop commercial, the victory went to “Jang Beom-jun of Chilgapsan” 🏆
"Lunch King" started as a small event designed to bring a little joy to our colleagues' daily lives. It turned out to be a great opportunity for everyone to showcase their hidden talents. I hope we’ll have more events like this to share small moments of joy in our busy routines, and with that, Hong Jin-guk will sign off for now.
Special Feature: Hong Jin-guk met with...!
<와디즈 점심가왕> 칠갑산 장범준 님, 안녕하세요?
- It feels a bit awkward seeing you as a singing champion after only ever seeing you at work. Pro, how did you end up participating?
I was “conscripted” (?) to join after being recommended byWadiz Finance’s So OO and Jo OO. - Is it common knowledge that you’re a great singer?
I know some professional singers because I sang at my own wedding, and I often sing at friends’ and acquaintances’ weddings. - Have you ever been told that you look like Jang Beom-jun?
Yes, I’m not one to brag, but I’ve heard that a lot. - Do you go to karaoke often? Before the pandemic, how many times a week did you go? 😬 Are you comfortable with “honcono” (singing alone in a coin-operated karaoke booth)?|
Before COVID, I used to go once a week or once every two weeks while taking a walk with my wife. I don’t really go to “Honko-no” much. I prefer having someone there to listen to me. - I heard that many people were singing along in their heads thanks to your song selection. Did you have any specific criteria for choosing the songs?
The vice president suggested we play trot music for the first round, so I chose a song by Lee Chan-won that my mother likes. For the second round, since Jang Beom-jun’s name came up in the comments for the first round, I picked one of his songs that I personally like. - After Round 1, did anyone recognize me?
The folks from Finance and the pros from the (former) Compliance Monitoring Team who worked with me before the reorganization recognized me 😏 - Finally, please share your thoughts on becoming WadizLunch Singing Champion.
When else would I get the chance to grab a microphone at work and sing anonymously? I have such fond memories of how much fun it was to see the real-time comments. Thank you for letting me sing.
