MBC is bringing a rom-com titled Motel California and it stars one of my favorites Lee Se Young (The Story Of Park’s Marriage Contract) opposite Na In Woo, who I really liked in Marry My Husband. The show is set in a rural area and is based on a 2019 novel Home, Bitter Home. I would have been super excited for this drama but the plot sounds so similar to shows like Hometown Cha Cha Cha and Welcome To Samdal-ri.

Lee Se Young stars as Kang Hee, the daughter of a rural motel owner, the motel being named Motel California. She is of mixed race, and so she faces challenges and struggles while growing up in the rural town. It created a deep emotional wound in her heart during that period.  She falls in love with her childhood friend, played by Na In Woo, but she leaves the town when she turns 20. Presently, she is an interior designer and he is a veterinarian. He still has a huge flame for her and she is the only woman he ever fell in love with.

Due to certain reason, Kang Hee decides to return to her hometown. Meanwhile, the hero gets lots of marriage proposals from the villagers and as he gets tired of it, he lets a false rumour to spread around — that he is dating a fellow veterinarian. At this point, Kang Hee reenters his life but she thinks he has a girlfriend.

I’m still looking forward to the drama. I like the leads, I like the rural setting and the slight tweak to “female lead comes (back) to rural town and meets her first love” plot.

Motel California will premiere next year in 2025 and it is penned by the screenwriter of 365: Repeat The Year (2020).