3 Dramas To Re-Watch If You Miss "Family By Choice"
Short Introduction To Motel California (2025)
“Motel California” is a romance drama written by Lee Seo Yoon and directed by Jang Joon Ho and Kim Hyung Min. It is based on Shim Yoon Seo’s 2019 novel “Home, Bitter Home” (literal title). The story follows a woman who grows up in a rural motel called Motel California. After escaping her hometown, she returns 12 years later to reconnect with her first love and childhood friend Cheon Yeon Soo (Na In Woo) and face new challenges.
Lee Se Young takes on the role of Ji Kang Hee, who was raised in a motel run by her father which is essentially her home. Because of her mixed heritage background, she faces many challenges and emotional wounds growing up. She falls in love with her childhood friend Cheon Yeon Soo but leaves everyone behind and moves to Seoul on her 20th birthday. 12 years later, as she reaches the peak of her career as an interior designer, she is forced to return to her hometown and reconnects with her first love.
The two gaze at each other with affectionate eyes, heightening viewers’ excitement. Along with this, the text that reads, “I wish I was your first.”
Now next on to the next poster, since it's only a first teaser for the Holidays. In the following poster, Kang Hee and Yeon Soo are sitting side by side on the rooftop railing of Motel California. The two gaze in different directions with indifferent facial expressions. Viewers can feel the close line of love and hate between them.
The faded neon sign of Motel California also catches attention. Unlike the typical motels found in rural villages, the sign resembles something you might encounter in the middle of an off-road in actual California, piquing interest about the location. Motel California is not only the place where Kang Hee was born and raised but also one of the sources of her inner wounds.
Next up is the first group poster with the main cast. Meanwhile, Cheon Yeon Soo’s dandy and handsome looks highlight his charm as a pure-hearted romantic. The sight of Yeon Soo offering his shoulder to Kang Hee perfectly captures the dynamic between the two, hinting at their mischievous chemistry.
In addition, Geum Seok Kyung and Yoon Nan Woo bring a new layer of tension to the group. Seok Kyung, with his unique sunglasses and confident posture, embodies a bold, go-getter character who stops at nothing to achieve his goals. His personality, which sharply contrasts with Yeon Soo’s, raises the question of whether he will succeed in winning over Kang Hee’s heart. Lastly, Yoon Nan Woo draws attention with her sophisticated demeanor which reflects both shyness and determination. Viewers are curious to find out why she becomes entangled in a marriage scandal with Yeon Soo. The unique setting heightens the fans curiosity about the events that will unfold in the special rural motel.
The last batch of the posters is centered on the main relationship of a father and daughter. The first one of them shows Ji Kang Hee and Ji Chun Pil in the cozy lobby of Motel California with a festive Christmas tree behind them. However, despite sitting side by side, their emotional distance is apparent. Kang Hee pointedly ignores Chun Pil, her sulky expression betraying her lingering feelings about him. This raises questions about why Kang Hee left her father and hometown so abruptly years ago. In contrast, Chun Pil is immersed in playing his guitar, embodying the image of a carefree romantic troubadour. His quiet demeanor and doting presence beside his pouting daughter reveal his softer side.
The last poster casts a small yet heartwarming glimpse into Kang Hee and Chun Pil’s past, capturing a memorable moment from her childhood. In the image, a young Kang Hee beams with joy in her father’s embrace, painting a stark contrast to the present-day poster, raising anticipation to see how their fractured relationship evolves when the estranged daughter returns home to rebuild the bonds and untold stories of their shared past.
