The premiere is scheduled for January 10, 2025. “Motel California” tells the story of a woman born and raised in a rural motel. She returns to her hometown 12 years after running away and is unexpectedly reunited with her first love, resulting in a moving and eventful love story that reshapes first love. The series is based on Shim Yoon-seo’s popular 2019 novel “Home, Bitter Home.”
Lee Se-young plays Ji Kang-hee, an interior designer with a tough life shaped by her unique mixed-race background and growing up in a motel. Her performance marks a significant transformation for the actress.
Explaining his decision to join the cast, Lee Se-young said: “After reading the original novel, I thought it was a story about life and healing. I also wanted to meet the character of Kang Hee, who has struggled with self-acceptance from a young age.” Comparing “Motel California” to his previous romantic hits like “The Red Sleeve” and “What Comes After Love,” he highlighted the drama’s unique appeal, saying: “Sometimes, all it takes is one person to listen to your story to keep you going. The love story between Kang-hee and Yeon-soo, who become each other’s “only person”, makes this story unique.”
Lee Se-young also described her character as “strong but soft”, saying: “Kang-hee is stubborn, determined and full of conviction, but he also has a soft side, which I find very charming.”
Playing a mixed-race character required special attention to Kang-hee’s appearance. “Since Kang-hee is mixed race, I paid special attention to her appearance. I wore colored contacts, dyed my hair, permed it and carefully styled my clothes to fit her character.” Lee Se-young revealed. Fans are looking forward to seeing a new side of the actress, who previously enchanted the audience with her elegant and pure image.
Lee Se-young also talked about collaborating with co-star Na In-woo, who plays his first love, Yeon-soo. “Kang-hee finds Yeon-soo’s good nature, kind eyes and righteous beliefs irresistible. Na In-woo is calm, collected and cheerful, making him the center of attention on set. Thanks to him, filming was a lot of fun.”
As for veteran actor Choi Min-soo, who plays Kang-hee’s father Ji Chun-pil, Lee Se-young expressed his affection. The father-daughter duo promises unique chemistry, with Kang-hee calling her father “Mr. Chun-pil” and the two maintaining a distant but quirky relationship. “Kang-hee tends to push her father away, which may seem bittersweet, but just working alongside him makes me happy. We get along like a real father and daughter,” he said.
Lee Se-young, who earned the nickname “human ink painting” after her role in “The Red Sleeve”, shared her aspirations, “I want to always be known as an actress whose acting arouses curiosity.” He emphasized that the drama’s main appeal lies in its depiction of life and healing, “Imperfect characters help each other, care for and overcome challenges with each other. I believe viewers will find healing through these moments of joy and pain.”
“Motel California” will premiere on January 10, 2025 at 9:50 pm (KST) on MBC, offering audiences a heartwarming story of love, growth and resilience.
