Lee Se-young from ‘MBC’s Princess’ Set to Achieve Success with ‘Motel California’: “Aiming for 10% Viewership Rating”

MBC’s “Motel California”Set to Premiere January 10

Mark your calendars! MBC’s highly anticipated Friday-Saturday drama, “Motel California,” is premiering on January 10. This series is adapted from the acclaimed 2019 novel “Home, Bitter Home” by Shim Yoon-seo and presents a poignant narrative centered around first love. The story unfolds in a quaint rural setting where a woman, born and raised in a motel, returns to her hometown after a 12-year absence and reunites with her first love.

Behind the Scenes: Press Conference Insights

On January 9, a press conference took place at MBC in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, featuring director Kim Hyung-min alongside the star-studded cast including Lee Se-young, Na In-woo, Choi Min-soo, Kim Tae-hyung, and Choi Hee-jin.

Director Kim shared his vision for the drama, characterizing it as a human romance that emerges from the clash of contrasting elements—namely, the rediscovery of first love after a lengthy separation and the protagonist’s multifaceted relationship with her complicated hometown.

Lee Se-young: A Familiar Face With a New Challenge

Fans are eager to see Lee Se-young take on the role of Ji Kang-hee. Having established an impressive rapport with MBC in previous dramas, such as The Red Sleeve (2021) and The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract (2023), Lee is dubbed “MBC’s undefeated goddess.” At the press conference, she expressed mixed feelings of excitement and nervousness, stating, “I feel a mix of anticipation and tension as I kick off MBC’s dramas for 2025.”

With a dash of humor, she reflected on her strong ties to MBC, reminiscing, “Most of my childhood roles were for MBC, and their cafeteria food was the best.”Further, she conveyed her gratitude to continue her career in a challenging industry, emphasizing, “Nowadays, many dramas are getting canceled, so I’m thankful to keep working.”When addressed about the pressures of maintaining her successful streak, she confidently remarked, “I only focus on the work and my character, so I don’t feel pressured. However, I do hope this drama surpasses a 10% viewership rating.”

Character Exploration: Ji Kang-hee

In her role as Ji Kang-hee, an interior designer with a complex past, Lee Se-young captivates audiences with her depth and charisma. Reflecting on her character, she remarked, “I felt that Ji Kang-hee shared many similarities with me. I was curious about how a child with childhood trauma would grow up, and I wanted to explore that journey.”

A Transformative Role for Na In-woo

Na In-woo, recognized for his roles in River Where the Moon Rises and Marry My Husband, appears as Cheon Yeon-soo, a compassionate large-animal veterinarian and beloved son-in-law to local farmers. Discussing his approach to the character, he commented, “I’ve mostly done genre dramas, historicals, or fantasies. This time, I enjoyed fully embodying the character’s life and aimed to reflect some aspects of myself in my performance.”

Lee Se-young praised her co-star, stating, “Na In-woo is such a delicate actor. His gaze is incredibly beautiful. I’m glad In-woo was Yeon-soo.”

Final Thoughts and Premiere Details

As anticipation builds, fans are ready to tune in for the premiere of “Motel California,” set to air on January 10 at 9:50 PM (KST). With a touching narrative and an engaging cast, this drama is not to be missed!