sabiz

MBC's premature promotion of its upcoming project has cast a shadow over the newly launched drama Motel California.

On January 16, MBC unveiled the first poster for its new Friday-Saturday drama Undercover High School, officially kicking off the promotion.

Undercover High School follows a National Intelligence Service agent who goes undercover as a high school student to track down the whereabouts of Emperor Gojong's missing gold bars. The drama stars Seo Kang-joon, marking his first return to the screen after his military service.

The drama is set to premiere on February 21 at 9:50 PM. This series will follow Motel California, which aired its first episode last week, meaning there’s still over a month before its debut.

Motel California revolves around a female protagonist who grew up in a motel in a rural area and reunites with her first love after 12 years. It’s a first-love romance with plenty of twists and turns. Lee Se-young and Na In-woo star as the main couple, with Lee Se-young showcasing a mixed-race visual, and Na In-woo even undergoing a special makeup transformation for his 120kg character. The first two episodes have aired, and the third episode is scheduled for release on January 17.

Despite the drama barely beginning, MBC has already turned its focus to promoting the next project, which has raised concerns in the industry. The general expectation is to begin promoting a new drama only after about four episodes of the current one have aired.

An industry insider commented, "It’s customary to start promoting the next project about four episodes before the current one ends. While MBC’s enthusiasm is understandable, it could fuel unnecessary competition. This move could give the impression that MBC has little confidence in either project. It's lacking respect for the current drama that is still in its early stages."