March 5, 2025
Disclaimer: Article is roughly translated. It may contain inaccuracies. Please pardon any mistakes.
Na Inwoo is "Cheon Yeonsoo" himself
in <Motel California>!
When an actor like Na Inwoo, with his innocent, puppy-like gaze, takes on a pure and innocent character, Cheon Yeonsoo becomes 80% Na Inwoo himself in Motel California.
Q: The drama Motel California is currently airing, and I heard that filming just wrapped up. How have you been spending your days lately?
A: Yes, I’m taking a short break. I’ve also been going to different hospitals to take care of my health, which I’ve been neglecting.
Q: Watching Motel California feels like watching a fairytale since it’s something that couldn’t exist in real life. (Laughs) What was your first impression when you read the script?
A: I had a similar thought, which is why I wanted to do this project. I tried to make the character Cheon Yeonsoo feel more realistic. Instead of portraying him as a pure, almost mythical 'unicorn-like' man like in the original, I wanted to show him as someone who could actually exist (in real life). He drinks, gets drunk, and experiences struggles and inner conflicts. To bring out that realism, I intentionally included scenes where he smokes. I felt that showing Yeonsoo smoking cigarettes during his toughest moments would make his struggles feel more authentic.
Q: Honestly, if he didn’t even have that, I wonder how Yeonsoo would have endured that time.
A: Exactly. If he couldn’t drink or smoke, it would have been completely unrealistic. That would’ve been a fantasy.
Q: How did you feel when you heard that you’ll be working with Lee Seyoung? Did you have any expectations? You know how we often imagine what they’ll be like before meeting someone?
A: Whenever I start a new project, I think about it this way. Of course, an actor chooses their projects, but if they get casted for the role, there must be a good reason behind it. I tend to trust my co-stars. But when I first meet them, I’m always curious on how they will portray their character and what they think about their role.
Q: It’s your first time working with Seyoung. How was your first impression of her?
A: At first, she felt a bit distant. But I don’t think that was her true personality. It's just normal to take some time to get comfortable with new people. After spending time together, I realized that Seyoung noona was a perfect fit for her character ‘Ji Kanghee.’ So, I just trusted her completely. I listened to her suggestions and shared ideas with her. She’s a professional. Compared to her, I’m still like a baby, so I just followed her lead this time as well.The only difference with this project was that the friendship chemistry was the most important part. I put a lot of thought into how to express a kind of love that isn’t the usual romantic love, but something different.
Q: How did you find the answer?
A: Instead of focusing on excitement or freshness, I tried to express it through key moments within a sense of comfort. There are times when, even in comfortable situations, you’ll feel that spark. You could be sitting there doing nothing, but then suddenly, your eyes meet, and a silence falls… like those subtle moments (laughs).
Q: Cheon Yeonsoo shows a lifelong devotion to Ji Kanghee. In fact, Kanghee left after spending one night together and lost contact for 10 years. If this happened to you, how do you think you would have reacted?
A: While acting, I always started and ended from Yeonsoo’s perspective, so I gradually began to understand him. But he’s still human, so I don’t think he would have waited blindly forever. Even so, what made me decide to fully become Yeonsoo was the fact that, in his world, there was only Kanghee and Hanaeup. Since he had seen the world that way from a young age, it became easier to understand him when I looked at it from that angle. Just like how a dog only sees its owner as its whole world, I think Yeonsoo was the same.
Q: In Episode 9, there was a line: "If not Kanghee, then who else would I be with?" I felt like this line really showed Yeonsoo’s character.
A: Honestly, he could have been tempted. That happens in life. When he meets someone, he might think, "Should I try dating this person?" Or, "No, there's only Kanghee for me. Kanghee is the only person I love." It’s just a matter of choice, and Yeonsoo always chose Kanghee.
Q: Still, there was no way for Yeonsoo to know if Kanghee would accept his feelings.
A: That’s why he kept trying. But it wasn’t just about Kanghee accepting his feelings or not. He also had emotional voids, and this was simply his way of expressing them. Even if Kanghee didn’t reciprocate his feelings, in Yeonsoo’s world, she was his everything and the only person he loves. And there was nothing else he could do. So he never thought it was strange.
Q: If Kanghee had wanted to stay friends, would Yeonsoo have accepted it?
A: In the end, he probably would have, but not without trying a few more times first. Kanghee isn’t the type to make things clear-cut. There’s something about her that keeps people on edge. (Laughs) She did the same thing on the night they first slept together. If she had simply said, "I’m not coming back, so don’t think about me," instead of spending that night with him, Yeonsoo might have given up.
Q: Those moments felt like hopeful suffering to me. (Laughs)
A: If you look at it negatively, it might seem that way, but Yeonsoo sees it differently. Kanghee said those things because she had a reason that made her leave. And Yeonsoo, who had always been watching her, understood just how much pain she must have been in. It’s just a different way of seeing things.
Q: What were you like when you fell in love for the first time?
A: I was completely all in. (Laughs) But my way of expressing it was different from Yeonsoo’s. I was more playful and tried to stay close to the person.
Q: You once mentioned that you tend to get deeply into the characters you play. What’s something you learned about the world while living as Cheon Yeonsoo?
A: I really felt how complicated people’s emotions are. I realized once again that even if I do something with a certain feeling, how the other person receives it depends on them. Even when I do the exact same thing, the reactions I get are always different. (Laughs)
Q: Dealing with people is the hardest thing. There’s a line in the drama: "The greatest luxury in life is not having to work with people you don’t like." What is the biggest luxury in your life?
A: Eating well. (Laughs) Beyond money, the most basic necessities in life are food, clothing, and shelter. I’ve lived alone for a long time, and there were times when I couldn’t eat properly due to my schedule. Maybe because I’ve had those experiences, that now, I feel that eating well is the most important thing. It’s something I deeply realized myself, so I also try to make sure others have enough to eat. Even if there’ll be a lot of leftovers, I prefer to order generously. That feels like the greatest luxury to me. Because of that, I even made my manager gain weight. Ha ha.
Q: Just as Cheon Yeonsoo was a savior to Ji Kang-hee, is there someone like that in your life?
A: My second acting teacher. I don’t know why, but back then, there were many times when I sat through a two-hour class without saying a word. I lacked confidence, but my teacher always told me, "Just do it." It was difficult for me to speak in front of people, but my teacher instilled in me the mindset that I should at least try first. And that (“Just try it first”) became an important key phrase in my life. Even if I don’t know everything, I’ve learned to think, "Let’s at least give it a shot. Let’s just do it."
Q: By the time this interview is released, the drama will have ended. What kind of project will Motel California be for you?
A: I think this was the project that showed the most of who I am. I put a lot of effort into expressing Yeonsoo’s emotions in a way that felt natural. I tried to stay true to his way of seeing the world and his beliefs. But when it came to expressing his emotions, I just added some personal touches.
Q: What are the differences between the original character and the version you played?
A: If you’ve read the original, you’ll notice that the drama version is much brighter. I wanted to give Yeonsoo a more human side. I also tried to express a wider range of emotions.
Q: Two months have already passed since 2025 began. Have you started any new challenges or things you’ve been wanting to do?
A: Not yet. I’ve had to put off a lot of things, so I’m focusing on checking them off one by one. I wanted to take time to look at things with a more relaxed perspective and work on strengthening my mindset, but I haven’t been able to. It’s something that’s difficult to do unless I’m completely resting. I’ve always been busy, and recently, I felt like I couldn’t delay any longer, so I started training again.
Q: In a past interview, you said you don’t regret things that have happened. How do you overcome difficult times?
A: If I worked hard and did my best, there’s nothing to regret. But I need to be sure that I truly did my best. I need to put in enough effort so that if I ask anyone, they would be able to tell me, “You really did your best.” That way, I don’t end up making excuses for myself.
Q: Always giving your best and putting everything into what you do isn’t easy. It takes a lot of energy. Where do you usually get that energy from?
A: I think I get it from the people around me. It could be my fans, my manager who’s always with me, or the staff. I don’t live in this world alone. When someone is struggling, I help them, and when I’m having a hard time, someone reaches out to lend me a hand. I think the energy to keep going comes from that mutual support we give each other.
Q: You said you don’t have regrets, but if you could remodel a part of your life, what would you change?
A: Even if there were mistakes or moments I could have regretted, I believe they all shaped who I am today. So I wouldn’t change anything. Even the smallest moments came together to make me who I am now.
Q: What is your life motto?
A: “Always start from the basics”. Standards may not always be the answer, but they serve as strong foundations you can start from anytime, anywhere. No matter what I do, I believe in starting from the basics and always staying humble.
Q: Have you decided on your next project? Is there a genre or character you’d personally like to try?
A: I haven’t looked at any scripts yet. But if I get the chance, I’d love to challenge myself with a project like John Wick.
Q: You seem confident in action acting.
A: Yes! I think I would do well. (Laughs)
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