Motel California – You're 20 Years Old. Leave or Stay

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“Motel California” is a 2025 Viki Original Korean drama series, with 12 episodes, and categorized as Coming-of-age and Romance; based on the novel “Home, Bitter Home”. SUMMARY: A girl and a boy grow up in the same small town. They both turn twenty (20). When you reach that age you make a decision. You either leave your hometown or you stay. You’re all grown up now. Choose! ♦ It’s Time For Me to Go Out Into the World In “Motel California”, Ji Gang-Hee and Chun Yeon-Soo grew up together in a rural village. Ji Gang-Hee’s father ran a motel and it was also her home. The kids teased and taunted her because she had a mixed-race background. But being teased never broke her spirit. On the contrary, she embraced being unique and had a fiery independent spirit. Also, she wasn’t all alone. There were a few friends that were genuine and liked her just the way she was. One of those friends was Chun Yeon-Soo. Ji Gang-Hee wanted to be an interior designer. She had big dreams that she could not accomplish if she stayed in her hometown. When she turned twenty (20) years old, it was time to make […]
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Motel California – You’re 20 Years Old. Leave or Stay

"Motel California" is a 2025 Viki Original Korean drama series, with 12 episodes, and categorized as Coming-of-age and Romance; based on a novel.

popgeeks.com

 

[Nadia]

Another "big city vs small town" drama? Ugh, I’ve seen this so many times that I’m honestly over it. The storyline of Ji Gang-Hee going to Seoul, facing challenges, and then realizing that leaving doesn’t solve everything, feels very predictable. Sure, they add some quirky elements with the characters’ past history, but I’m not sure if that’s enough to make the drama stand out. The way they depict her struggles feels too forced, and the whole "I’ll wait for you" subplot with Chun Yeon-Soo is just cheesy. I really don’t understand the hype behind this. The melodrama isn’t my thing, and the overuse of the “fat suit” trope is really off-putting. It’s hard for me to invest in a show that seems so formulaic. Maybe others will enjoy it, but I’m already checking out.

 

[JinnyGoesKrazy]

There’s something about this drama that just tugs at my heartstrings. Maybe it’s because I know what it’s like to leave behind everything familiar and move to a new place, hoping to start over and build something better. The contrast between Ji Gang-Hee’s dreams of being an interior designer and the harsh reality she faces in Seoul is really relatable. It’s a story of not giving up, even when the world seems to be telling you that you don’t belong. I love how Chun Yeon-Soo, despite being in a small town, is quietly successful and loyal to Ji Gang-Hee. It’s the kind of love story where the characters grow together, and I’m here for it. Their reunion is filled with emotional weight, and I think that’s where this drama truly shines. Even though there’s some drama and tension, it’s clear that the heart of the story is about these two people finding their way back to each other.

 

[cmoneyspinner]

Another "big city vs small town" drama? Ugh, I’ve seen this so many times that I’m honestly over it. The storyline of Ji Gang-Hee going to Seoul, facing challenges, and then realizing that leaving doesn’t solve everything, feels very predictable. Sure, they add some quirky elements with the characters’ past history, but I’m not sure if that’s enough to make the drama stand out. The way they depict her struggles feels too forced, and the whole "I’ll wait for you" subplot with Chun Yeon-Soo is just cheesy. I really don’t understand the hype behind this. The melodrama isn’t my thing, and the overuse of the “fat suit” trope is really off-putting. It’s hard for me to invest in a show that seems so formulaic. Maybe others will enjoy it, but I’m already checking out.

That's why I said it has the right number of episodes. It's a breather in between watching really intense Kdramas. I can watch this one and fall asleep.

 

[cmoneyspinner]

There’s something about this drama that just tugs at my heartstrings. Maybe it’s because I know what it’s like to leave behind everything familiar and move to a new place, hoping to start over and build something better. The contrast between Ji Gang-Hee’s dreams of being an interior designer and the harsh reality she faces in Seoul is really relatable. It’s a story of not giving up, even when the world seems to be telling you that you don’t belong. I love how Chun Yeon-Soo, despite being in a small town, is quietly successful and loyal to Ji Gang-Hee. It’s the kind of love story where the characters grow together, and I’m here for it. Their reunion is filled with emotional weight, and I think that’s where this drama truly shines. Even though there’s some drama and tension, it’s clear that the heart of the story is about these two people finding their way back to each other.

I like this love story too. Of course, there's the familiar l cheesy ove triangle trope.