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On January 9, 2025, the cast and crew of MBC's upcoming romance drama Motel California, including Na In-woo, Lee Se-young, and Choi Min-soo, gathered for a press conference ahead of the drama's highly anticipated premiere. Even before the drama's release, fans have started shipping the leads together, thanks to their height difference.
MBC's new Friday-Saturday drama Motel California, set to debut on January 10, 2025, tells the story of a "first love remodeling romance." It centers on a woman who grew up in a small-town motel reuniting with her first love after fleeing her hometown 12 years earlier.
Adapted from Shim Yoon-seo's 2019 novel Home, Bitter Home, the drama features Lee Se-young and Na In-woo, two stars well-known for their romantic performances. Lee Se-young has solidified her reputation with hits like The Red Sleeve and The Tale of Chaste Lady Park.
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Meanwhile, Na In-woo is well known for his roles in River Where the Moon Rises and Marry My Husband. Their casting has heightened anticipation for the drama.
Lee Se-young takes on the role of Ji Kang-hee, an interior designer whose challenging past was shaped by her upbringing in a rural motel that doubled as her home. Na In-woo plays Cheon Yeon-soo, a kind-hearted veterinarian and the top candidate for the ideal son-in-law in the Hana-eup farming community.
Fans, who are eagerly waiting for the drama to be released, swooned over the adorable height difference between the couple as they playfully acknowledged it during the press conference. One X user wrote:
"their height difference is the cutest thing"
Many online chimed in on their height difference, with one calling it "cute."
"Seyoung & Inwoo knew we are love their height difference so much" commented another.
"They are so cute together" responded another.
As Se-young teased Na In-woo, some fans funnily pointed out that the latter was tiptoeing.
"They got me hooked from that photoshoot they had for Elle for their VISUALS AND PARTICULARLY THAT HEIGHT DIFFERENCE.Absolutely loving their energy" said another fan.
"I am loving this so much" reacted another.
"No but what are you trying to do here Inu, already with that height difference, teasing her by tip toeing. They are so cute" said another.
Motel California releases new stills
The production team of Motel California has teased the K-drama's intriguing start by releasing a still image of Kang-hee and Yeon-soo's first night together. It features the lead actors 12 years earlier when they were both 20 years old. The image reveals the two in a cozy room decorated with hanging clothes and playful details that hint at the setting—Kang-hee's room at Motel California.
The scene showcases an intense moment with Yeon-soo seated on the bed and Kang-hee resting on his lap. Their locked gazes radiate palpable tension, building up to a tender moment as Kang-hee gently reaches for Yeon-soo's scarf before leaning in for a kiss.
Yeon-soo's nervous anticipation, closing his eyes to savor the kiss, adds to the scene's emotional depth. This preview has left viewers eager to learn how their relationship unfolds from that memorable night.
Motel California will premiere on Friday, January 10, 2025, at 9:50 pm KST on MBC.
