New photos and a video have been released from the script reading for the upcoming Korean drama Motel California (working title).
The K-drama stars Lee Se Young (The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract), Na In Woo (Marry My Husband), Choi Min Soo (Numbers), Gu Won (Decoy), Choi Hee Jin (Strong Girl Namsoon), and Woo Mi Hwa (Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born).
The MBC drama is written by Lee Seo Yoon, who hasn’t had a drama on TV since 2020’s 365: Repeat the Year, while little known director Kim Hyung Min (Love Scene Number) is directing after co-director Jang Joon Ho stepped down last month due to personal reasons.
In other words, this one is a drama headed by people who are not in the upper echelons of K-drama, which, I have to say, I like.
The Motel California script reading photos are candid shots of each actor rehearsing their lines, and starting to create a world we will all soon likely be falling in love with.
The accompanying video from the Motel California script reading (watch below) shows each actor introducing themselves.
The younger ones also thank their seniors for including them in the project, and vow to work their hardest to make it a success.
Lead actor Nam In Woo comments how he was “nervous and excited” before the script reading began, but also thinks it’s a lot of fun once it starts.
Meanwhile, Choi Min Soo is happy to be back at MBC, which he feels like his “hometown”, while Lee Se Young was really looking forward to meeting her “father” senior Choi Min Soo when the script reading began.
What’s the plot of Motel California?
The upcoming MBC drama tells the story of Ji Gang Hee (played by Lee Se Young), who has been the subject of gossip for much of her life due to being brought up in the town’s motel, which is owned by her father and mixed-race mother.
After growing up and moving to Seoul to become an interior designer to get away from all that, she visits her hometown only to run into her first love Cheon Yeon Soo (Na In Woo).
Yeon Soo is now a veterinarian in the town, and is constantly being introduced to the daughters of local farmers. Due to that, he has not bothered to deny a rumor that he is already engaged to be married.
Enter Ji Gang Hee, who also happens to be Cheon Yeon Soo’s first love as well.
Check out the Motel California script reading photos above, and give the accompanying video a watch.
If you click the subtitles option, and choose the auto-generated English subtitles option, you can get the gist of what the actors are saying about their roles and see how happy they appear.
Motel California is scheduled to premiere on MBC in South Korea in January, 2025 in the same Friday-Saturday time slot as the upcoming When the Phone Rings.
And, yep, the cast for the Korean drama is excellent, and it sounds like a lot of fun.
