Why did Lee Se-young of MBC‘s ‘Motel California’ run away from home on the first day of the new year when she turned 20?

MBC’s new Friday-Saturday drama ‘Motel California’ (planned by Jang Jae-hoon/directed by Kim Hyung-min, Lee Jae-jin/written by Lee Seo-yoon/produced by HB Entertainment), which is scheduled to premiere on the 10th (Friday), is a first love remodeling romance about a woman who was born and raised in a motel in the countryside and reunites with her first love in her hometown she ran away from 12 years ago. It is based on the popular novel ‘Home, Bitter Home’ by author Shim Yoon-seo in 2019. Lee Se-young (as Ji Kang-hee), the ‘trustworthy romance craftsman’ who has built an undefeated record for MBC box office hits with ‘Red Sleeves of a Woman’ and ‘Miss Park‘s Contract Marriage Story’, and Na In-woo (as Cheon Yeon-soo), who has captured the hearts of women through ‘River Where the Moon Rises’ and ‘Marry My Husband’, are meeting as the first love couple of 23 years ago, and expectations are high that they will create a ‘first love romance fever’ in living rooms in the new year.

Among them, ‘Ji Kang-hee’ played by Lee Se-young is an interior designer who has lived a difficult life due to her unusual background of ‘a country motel is her home’ and her mixed-race birth, while ‘Cheon Yeon-soo’ played by Na In-woo is a large animal veterinarian who is considered the number one son-in-law of the Hana-eup farm owners.



Among these, the ‘Motel California’ side is drawing attention by releasing a still cut of Kang-hee running away from home on January 1st, 12 years ago in the drama. In the revealed still cut, Kang-hee and Yeon-soo are together at an intercity bus stop in Hana-eup in the quiet early morning hours. Through Kang-hee’s appearance, who is heavily packing his large luggage, we can guess that he has decided to leave for a very far away place.

Meanwhile, an ominous atmosphere flows between Kang-hee and Yeon-soo. Unlike Kang-hee, who is constantly observing Yeon-soo‘s expression, Yeon-soo tries hard not to glance at Kang-hee until the moment he leaves. Yeon-soo’s expression, which is a mixture of regret and annoyance, clearly shows his determination not to say goodbye to Kang-hee, causing the viewer to tingle. Why is Kang-hee leaving Ha-na-eup alone, leaving Yeon-soo behind who is so noticeable? Why doesn‘t Yeon-soo follow Kang-hee who is so sad? What story is hidden behind the heartbreaking breakup of the 20-year-old Ha-na-eup first love couple? People are curious.

MBC’s new Friday-Saturday drama ‘Motel California’ will first air on January 10, 2025 (Friday) at 9:50 PM.

Choi Yoon-na, Donga.com reporter yyynnn@donga.com