Can Na In-woo Become the Next Icon of First Love in 'Motel California'

Will Na In-woo follow in the footsteps of Byun Woo-seok to become the next icon of first love? With a shared trait of starring alongside trusted actresses in romantic roles, there's anticipation that Na In-woo might receive a 'boost' from Lee Se-young and emerge as the next romance king.

'Motel California' (hereafter 'Motel Cali'), which premiered on January 10th, is MBC's first offering of the new year and garnered significant attention even before its release. This is largely due to Lee Se-young's consecutive hits on MBC with 'The Red Sleeve' and 'The Law Cafe'. The question now is whether 'Motel Cali' will mark her third consecutive hit, solidifying her status as 'MBC's Princess'.

Interest in Na In-woo, the male lead of 'Motel Cali', is also high. Set in a rural motel, the story revolves around a female protagonist who reunites with her first love after 12 years, offering a fresh take on first love romance. Lee Se-young has undergone a transformation with bleached hair and colored lenses to fit her mixed-race character, while Na In-woo adds depth with a 120kg special makeup.

To prepare for the role, Na In-woo left KBS2's '2 Days & 1 Night Season 4' last July, after being a regular for 2 years and 5 months. While there was speculation that his sudden departure was related to military enlistment, Na In-woo's team clarified it was a decision to focus on the project, highlighting his dedication and passion for 'Motel Cali'.

Previously, Na In-woo appeared as Park Min-young's romantic counterpart in tvN's 'Marry My Husband' last January, where he received praise for his portrayal of a serious director, contrasting his usual bright and quirky image. While he balanced variety shows and dramas then, he chose to fully immerse himself in 'Motel Cali', leaving the variety show behind.

'Motel Cali' shares several similarities with 'Run On', the drama that catapulted Byun Woo-seok to stardom. Both feature tall male leads, nearly 190cm, paired with female leads around 160cm, emphasizing physical contrasts. Additionally, both dramas had more anticipation for the female lead's proven acting skills before airing.

Thematically, both stories center around the male lead's first love. While the tone and narrative style differ, the core element of the male lead's first love remains a common thread. This raises curiosity about whether 'Motel Cali' can achieve the same level of buzz and popularity as 'Run On'.

'Motel Cali' started with a 4.5% viewership rating for its first episode, dropping slightly to 3.8% for the second episode, similar to 'Run On's ratings. However, 'Run On' proved that buzz was more crucial than ratings, achieving great success.

Currently, 'Motel Cali' has aired 2 out of its 12 episodes, leaving ample opportunity for a rebound. The lead actors have pledged to achieve a 10% viewership rating, showing strong determination. All eyes are on whether Na In-woo, through his chemistry with Lee Se-young, can become the next icon of first love, following Byun Woo-seok.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr