Motel California (2025)

Eps 1&2 thoughts: Idiotic ML and "Strong" FL

The fat boy ML plot is extremely tired and a turn-off, but at least it only takes a few minutes till it's gone. Another way overused plot is the ML having only one love interest in his whole life, whereas the FL has him as her first love too, but has moved on / tried to move on with other people. It's just not realistic to see people loving their childhood friend for the rest of their lives even after a long time off. Sure, it's just a drama, but it's also way too many other dramas lately with the same trope.

Also, the way they made it look almost made me think she had superpowers. I had a hard time figuring out whether her amber eyes were just lighting or part of the plot. I get that she is "different," but they're doing too much.

I don't know how I feel about this pilot ep. I've anticipated this show for Lee Se Young, she never disappoints so I trust her, but I'm not feeling it. Let's hope it picks up because the preview made it look like she's only going to make him suffer more.

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After finished Ep 2, I'm even more convinced that these drama was written by idiots. The ML is an obsessive idiot who can't get no for an answer. It's frustrating to watch such a dumb ML and I don't remember the last time there was such a dumb male character in a drama. He truly is winning in that category.

The FL is toxic as hell, your typical not letting him go but also not getting with him. She's also a dumbass with a very outdated and unrealistic "pride over money" mindset when she lives in a tiny goshiwon where water and heating don't work properly, but she obviously needed to keep her pride instead of taking the payment of her work. Just stupid in general.

Such a frustrating drama. I really hope they wouldn't get together and just stay as friends. Meet new people and move on with their lives, though that's not really realistic in kdramaland.

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Old but can be gold

True. This plot line can seem very familiar to others…friends to lovers, boy pines for girl, girl savior of boy when younger, etc. Seriously, one wonders if these producers/writers will ever move on from these same old. Most likely not. What then makes these stand out? I think cast is an important factor. Therefore, what can seem to be old can be gold.

Lee Se Young is such a versatile actress. Historical, modern, cross cultural, she has really made her mark in acting. I like her in this role. She’s headstrong, determined not to be undermined even if everything stands against her. For that, I’m liking this a lot. Two first episodes gives background of where she comes from and determined not to return, and her quest to make it big. Her character alone makes me want to see more.

I’m not a big fan of the fat guy premise, at least dressing them up and so obviously. Remember Oh My Venus? Yeah, it’s lame in my opinion and a turn off. At least after first episode he turned (lost weight) and looking manly but back flashing remain cringey. Again, way too early to give up on this drama for anyone. It gives strong performances from leads so unless you’ve seen a perfectly produced rom-com without flaws, then give this one a try. It can be your gold…silver, bronze even because it’s not as bad as some people are making it.

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Impressions of the Korean Drama Motel California (2025)

She (Ji Gang Hui played by Lee Se Young) affectionately calls him (Cheon Yeon Su played by Na In Woo) teddybear. She likes this guy who is overweight, because he is comfy. She likes him to the core. Some may not agree with the first 15 minutes of the Korean Drama Motel California. It is an interesting choice for an opening scene. Our Female Lead whispers to him ‘not to ever lose weight’, affirming to him that she likes him just the way he is. WOW! Nonetheless, he does loose weight. What will this do to their relationship?

Motel California is a drama about discrimination, and many types of discriminations are addressed. This drama is a very raw drama. I don’t know how Motel California will play in Korea, but it should play well in the States. Powerful. Two social outcasts, according to societal acceptability, are brought together. He is overweight and she is an ethnic minority of mixed race in conservative Korea. The two misfits fight for each other in a small town in Nowheresville, Korea. Cheon Yeon Su reads Ji Gang Hui like a book, knowing her every emotions by reading her body language. Even when he is not present, he is her emotional rock, as she contemplates what he would tell her to do. The world is steadied when she thinks of him. I don’t know what others will get from this Korean Drama Motel California, but there is huge depth to these characters. The two become separated for ten years when she decides to leave Nowheresville. She just can’t face the pressure.

I don’t know what to tell you. I am so impressed by the performances of Lee Se Young and Na In Woo thus far. These two actors are drawing tears from me in the first 33 minutes. Their plights are so relatable, on so many different levels. You don’t have to be Black to be discriminated against. You could be a woman. You could be fat. You just could be yourself. However, you cannot let others control your destiny. Don’t get stuck on other people’s planet. Create your own universe.

Na In Woo is giving such a great performance. I am in love with his character. I love the way the Director is using his body language in silent screen moments, to make impactful statements. The use of dark lighting in odd moments adds such an oddity, which I like as well. The screen content visuals are through the roof. These kinds of visuals really elevate this drama to above ordinary. I am so excited about this drama. Motel California is my ‘Atypical Family’ for this year of 2025. The rating thus far for Motel California is 10/10 on the Internet and that is my rating too.

Quote: “Can someone with prejudices really evaluate ability without bias?” Lead Female.

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Homecoming and Heartache

The central trope of "Motel California"—a childhood love enduring unchanged after 10 years—feels familiar and repetitive. In reality, people grow and move on, making the drama’s romantic idealism somewhat implausible for viewers seeking realism. Additionally, the plot of returning to a hometown filled with old prejudices and unresolved emotions has been explored extensively, risking predictability. However, as a work of fiction, its appeal lies in emotional escapism and nostalgia. Whether it captivates will depend on unique storytelling, character depth, and fresh narrative twists to elevate the familiar premise.

Plot Overview

The pilot episode of "Motel California" introduces us to Ji Gang Hui, a woman whose past is deeply intertwined with the titular motel. Growing up in a rural village where her father ran the establishment, Gang Hui’s childhood was marked by the persistent gossip and whispers of townsfolk regarding her mixed-race heritage and unconventional family background. Despite the isolation and hurt she endured, she found solace in her friendship with Cheon Yeon Su, her first love.

The narrative begins with Gang Hui’s return to her hometown after a decade of absence. Now a struggling interior designer returns to her hometown due to an unforeseen circumstance, setting the stage for emotional revelations and secrets tied to her past. Upon her arrival, the nostalgia of her youth clashes with the painful memories she buried. The scene of her first encounter with Yeon Su, now a veterinarian admired by the local community, is charged with unresolved feelings and unspoken words. Yeon Su’s quiet life is complicated by the reappearance of Gang Hui, reigniting a connection that never truly faded.

Cast & Acting

The cast delivers an impressive range of emotions, with Lee Se Young portraying Ji Gang Hui’s blend of sophistication and vulnerability. Her expressions vividly capture the inner conflict between her professional success and the personal wounds she still carries. Na In Woo embodies Cheon Yeon Su’s stoic yet warm-hearted demeanor, offering a grounded performance that makes his character’s quiet longing and reserved nature believable. Their chemistry is palpable, creating an emotional tension that keeps viewers invested in their reunion and the rekindling of their bond.

Supporting characters, including the townspeople and motel staff, enhance the show’s setting by providing layers of intrigue and small-town dynamics.

Cinematography and Color Grading

The cinematography masterfully captures the duality of memory and reality, using soft, warm tones for flashbacks that reflect the innocence of Gang Hui’s childhood, contrasted with the muted, desaturated palette of the present day to convey the heaviness of her return.

Themes and First Impressions

The pilot episode sets the tone for a drama rich with themes of nostalgia, unfulfilled love, identity, and the haunting grip of the past. The narrative structure, alternating between past and present, builds a compelling backstory while gradually unraveling the reasons for Gang Hui’s return. With subtle hints at darker secrets within the motel and its lingering impact on the characters’ lives, Motel California promises an engaging blend of romance, mystery, and emotional depth.

While "Motel California" hints at a supernatural element, it may simply reflect Gang Hui’s mixed-race background and the prejudice she faced. This ambiguity adds intrigue, setting it apart from typical romance dramas. Whether it leans into fantasy or stays grounded in emotional scars, the unfolding narrative holds promise for a fresh take on familiar themes.

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