4 Reasons To Tune In To Lee Se Young And Na In Woo's "Motel California"

Get ready for the premiere of Na In Woo and Lee Se Young’s “Motel California”!

Based on Shim Yoon Seo’s 2019 novel “Home, Bitter Home,” “Motel California” is a romance drama about a woman named Ji Gang Hui (Lee Se Young), who was born and raised in a rural motel called Motel California. After escaping her hometown, she returns home after 12 years and winds up reconnecting with her first love and childhood friend Cheon Yeon Su (Na In Woo).

Ahead of the highly-anticipated premiere, “Motel California” shared four reasons to tune in to the upcoming romance drama!

MBC’s first new drama of 2025!

“Motel California” is a romance drama that spans across 23 years. Gang Hui and Yeon Su first meet as friends when they are 9 years old. After spending their teens happily together, the two spend their 20s longing for each other until the reunite in their 30s, delivering an emotional story. Furthermore, Gang Hui and Yeon Su will be each other’s “first” in many aspects when it comes to dating including being each other’s first confession, first kiss, and first breakup, creating a relatable story of first love.

Lee Se Young and Na In Woo’s perfect chemistry

The collaboration between Lee Se Young, who starred in numerous hits including “The Red Sleeve” and “The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract,” and Na In Woo, who captivated hearts through his role in “Marry My Husband” is already raising viewers’ expectations. Lee Se Young stars as Ji Gang Hui, an interior designer who has faced a tough life due to her unusual upbringing in a country motel, while Na In Woo plays the handsome veterinarian Cheon Yeon Su. Viewers are anticipating the chemistry between the reliable yet gentle Cheon Yeon Su and the bold Ji Gang Hui.

The transformations of Lee Se Young, Na In Woo, and Choi Min Soo

Through the upcoming drama, the actors will be making bold transformations. Lee Se Young dyed her hair a light brown color to highlight her character’s mixed heritage, while Na In Woo used special effects makeup to portray his character from when he had a bigger stature that gave him the nickname “little bear.” Furthermore, Choi Min Soo will take on a drastic transformation into Gang Hui’s father Ji Chun Pil, embodying the image of a carefree and romantic troubadour unlike his usual more fierce roles.

A diverse story of youth

“Motel California” will deliver diverse stories of growth through its unique rural setting. In addition to Gang Hui, Yeon Su, and Chun Pil, viewers will also meet characters such as Geum Seok Kyung (Kim Tae Hyeong), the sole heir to the elite Young & Rich Hotel, and Yoon Nan Woo (Choi Hee Jin), who gets swept up in a marriage scandal with Yeon Su. Furthermore, there is also the former stockbroker-turned-cattle farmer Han Woo (Jung Yong Ju), expert excavator operator Seung Eon (Koo Ja Sung), and librarian and poet Ah Reum (Lee So Yi), raising anticipation for each character’s unique narrative and the dynamic story that will unfold in the rural village.

“Motel California” premieres on January 10 at 9:50 p.m. KST and be available on Viki. Stay tuned!

In the meantime, check out a teaser for the drama below:

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