Motel California- Episodes 3-4

“Letting Go, Holding On”

Hello Motel California fans! Episode 3 hit us with a rollercoaster of emotions, flashbacks that tugged at our hearts, and the never-ending push and pull between Kang-hee and Yeon-soo. Let’s dive into everything that went down in this heartbreakingly beautiful episode.

We start with a flashback that gives us a glimpse into Yeon-soo’s quiet determination. After encountering Kang-hee in Seoul, he realizes he wants to transform himself into someone who can stand beside her. Cue the classic weight-loss montage—giving up sugary drinks, intense exercise sessions, and that ever-present purple soda can, the last memento Kang-hee gave him.

Fast forward to the present, and Yeon-soo sits in a luxurious hotel room, waiting for Kang-hee with champagne and the soda can as a quiet reminder of his devotion. But his hopeful moment shatters when Kang-hee walks in with Seok-kyung, casually telling him to “transfer ownership.” The tension is palpable, and it’s clear that unresolved feelings are simmering just below the surface.

Later, Kang-hee unexpectedly returns to the hotel room, seeking comfort in Yeon-soo’s arms. The quiet intimacy of him making her tea and offering her a birthday necklace reminds us of their past tenderness. But just when we think things might take a turn, Yeon-soo’s mother interrupts with a phone call, dragging Kang-hee back into painful memories of small-town judgment. She makes a decision—this is the end of their first love.

Meanwhile, Yeon-soo deals with his dysfunctional family dynamics as his mother, Soon-ja, and her husband find themselves in trouble with the police. In an emotional confrontation, Yeon-soo asserts his commitment to keeping his grandfather’s hospital despite their financial irresponsibility. Forced to find a new place to stay, he ends up back at Motel California, reunited with Han-woo and Seung-eon. Their bond is stronger than ever, even though Kang-hee remains a distant memory they can't quite shake.

Kang-hee, on the other hand, faces her own challenges in Seoul. Offered a position designing motels instead of luxury hotels, she wrestles with painful childhood memories of shame and rejection associated with her father’s motel. After an emotional talk with Esther, Kang-hee finally takes the job—only to be hit with the shocking news that the motel she’s assigned to work on is in Hana-eup, her hometown. Her escape from the past is no longer possible.

As Kang-hee tries to avoid her colleagues, Seok-kyung—ever the persistent one—follows her and is relieved to find her meeting Ah-reum instead of another man. But their conversation takes a devastating turn when Ah-reum casually reveals that Yeon-soo is seeing someone and might be getting married soon. The news visibly shakes Kang-hee, though she tries to mask her disappointment.

The episode ends with a chance encounter that sends emotions into overdrive. Yeon-soo is teaching Nan-woo how to drive when an unexpected car nearly collides with them. As Yeon-soo carries a panicked Nan-woo out of the driver’s seat, Kang-hee steps out of the other car, locking eyes with him. Her smile is bittersweet, and as she turns away, we can see the heartbreak written all over her face.

“Old Flames, New Pain”

Hey Motel California fans! Episode 4 gave us an emotional whirlwind as Kang-hee finally returned to Hana-eup, bringing old wounds and unresolved feelings to the surface. Let’s dive into this week’s drama-filled episode filled with awkward reunions, misunderstandings, and longing gazes.

We kick off with Kang-hee’s worst nightmare—literally. She dreams of Yeon-soo’s wedding, desperately trying to stop it, only to end up fighting the bride. But reality hits hard as she wakes up, shaken and still in denial about her feelings. Despite telling Ah-reum she’ll never go back to Hana-eup, the next scene hilariously proves otherwise—Kang-hee rushing to the office to take the job. Fate has a sense of humor, doesn't it?

A twist of fate (and Jung-goo’s unfortunate car accident) leaves Kang-hee and Seok-kyung to manage the motel renovation alone. And surprise, surprise—the project location? Motel California itself. Kang-hee pretends not to know Chun-pil, but he plays along, visibly touched by her professional demeanor—especially when she unknowingly describes his lifelong dream for the motel’s future. The emotional depth between father and daughter is subtle but poignant.

But things take an awkward turn when Kang-hee and Seok-kyung run into Yeon-soo and Nan-woo at a hotel. The tension is thick as Yeon-soo chases after Kang-hee, only for her to brush him off with a cool “I’m here for work.” The Christmas Day motel opening looms over them like an emotional countdown clock.

Seok-kyung, sensing the past between them, asks Kang-hee about Yeon-soo, and we’re treated to touching flashbacks of their school days—when Kang-hee “recruited” chubby new kid Yeon-soo as her defender. It's heartbreaking to see how much their dynamic has shifted over the years.

Meanwhile, rumors swirl around town. The construction workers speculate about Kang-hee’s mysterious return and whisper about Seok-kyung’s supposed gambling habits, making Yeon-soo concerned. A chance encounter on the road leads Yeon-soo to help Seok-kyung rescue a chained dog, and while he avoids confrontation, his protectiveness over Kang-hee is clear.

Kang-hee visits Yeon-soo’s clinic while he’s out and ends up playing with his cat, Kkam-hee. Little does she know that Nan-woo records a video, later showing it to Yeon-soo, who immediately rushes out in search of her. It’s obvious he still cares deeply, despite everything.

As emotions run high, Kang-hee finds herself drunk and miserable at a restaurant, lamenting how perfect Nan-woo seems for Yeon-soo. Yeon-soo arrives to find her passed out, and in a moment that had us all screaming, he carries her back to Motel California. She clings to his hoodie in her sleep, whispering accusations of broken promises. It’s a bittersweet reminder of their shared past and unfinished business.

Seok-kyung, worried when Kang-hee goes MIA, stirs up a storm at the motel, demanding answers. When Yeon-soo finally reveals the truth about Chun-pil being Kang-hee’s father, the pieces start falling into place for Seok-kyung, who’s clearly more invested in Kang-hee than he admits.

Morning brings a wave of embarrassment for Kang-hee, who wakes up to find Seok-kyung sleeping outside her door like a loyal puppy. During breakfast, whispers about Yeon-soo and Nan-woo reach Kang-hee’s ears, making her retreat further into her own thoughts.

The episode ends on a heart-wrenching note. Yeon-soo and Nan-woo enter an ice cream shop just as Kang-hee is enjoying her treat. She hides, sneaks out, and later finds herself sobbing on a bench. When Yeon-soo finds her there, his gentle concern cracks her defenses. Her tearful confession—“You’ve really changed”—hits like a punch to the gut, leaving us all wondering: Is it really over, or is there still hope for them?

DramaZen's Opinion

Episode 3 of Motel California expertly blends nostalgia, regret, and hope into a beautifully crafted emotional narrative. Yeon-soo’s steadfast devotion contrasts sharply with Kang-hee’s ongoing struggle to break free from her past, making their dynamic both compelling and bittersweet.

The episode does a great job of balancing their individual journeys—Yeon-soo’s growing responsibilities in Hana-eup and Kang-hee’s hesitant steps toward building a career in Seoul. The supporting characters add layers to the story, from Seok-kyung’s unrequited affection to Soon-ja’s frustrating but complex relationship with her son.

The motel storyline serves as an apt metaphor for Kang-hee’s journey—she can’t escape her roots, no matter how much she tries. And just when she thinks she’s moved on, fate throws her right back into Yeon-soo’s path. The lingering stares and unspoken words between them leave us wondering: Is it really over, or is this just the beginning of something new?

Episode 4 of Motel California is all about facing the ghosts of the past, and it delivers beautifully. The tension between Kang-hee and Yeon-soo is palpable, and the way their memories intertwine with their present struggles makes their story even more compelling.

Kang-hee’s reluctance to accept her feelings, Yeon-soo’s quiet heartbreak, and Seok-kyung’s growing presence in her life create an intricate love triangle that keeps us hooked. The flashbacks provide a deeper understanding of why Kang-hee left town in the first place, and why coming back is harder than it seems.

There’s a wonderful balance between emotional depth and light humor, especially with Chun-pil’s interactions and Seok-kyung’s clueless but endearing presence. The town itself feels like a character, filled with nosy neighbors, childhood friends, and old grudges that refuse to die.

With Christmas approaching and the motel project moving forward, the stakes are higher than ever. Can Kang-hee truly let go of Yeon-soo? And will Yeon-soo finally move on, or is he still holding onto the past?

What do you guys think? Is Kang-hee too late, or is there still hope for her and Yeon-soo? And what’s your take on Seok-kyung’s role in all this? Let’s discuss in the comments below!