Motel California Episode 2 Review: Love Triangle or Love Hexagon?

The premiere of Motel California delivers a whirlwind of emotions and surprises as it sets the stage for a heartfelt rom-com. The episode begins with shy teen Yeon-soo sharing a bittersweet night with his crush, Gang-hui, before she leaves for Seoul to start her new life. A decade later, we see their contrasting journeys—Yeon-soo transforms into a confident veterinarian, while Gang-hui faces professional struggles and a turbulent career as an interior designer in the city.

Their paths unexpectedly cross again at Yeon-soo’s grandfather’s funeral, where a confident Gang-hui barely recognizes the man Yeon-soo has become. The episode ends on a poignant note as they lock eyes, rekindling memories of their shared past and hinting at a complex and emotional reunion to come.

– Contains Spoilers –

Motel California Episode 2 Recap

The second episode of Motel California brings a hilarious, drama-packed ride that starts with a cockroach tale and spirals into a full-blown small-town showdown. Chun-pil, ever the oddball, tries to cheer up his grieving nephew Yeon-soo at the funeral by sharing an embarrassing story about being terrified of cockroaches. While Yeon-soo manages a small smile, it’s clear his thoughts are elsewhere—specifically, on Kang-hee.

Cue a nostalgic flashback to happier times, where Kang-hee’s birthday celebrations always came with a side of teenage awkwardness. Notably, it was during one such birthday in 2013 that Yeon-soo had confessed his feelings for her. Back in the present, Yeon-soo’s emotions boil over as he runs to greet Kang-hee, enveloping her in a hug that sends the gossiping townsfolk into overdrive.

The whispers about their “indecent behavior” quickly reach Kang-hee, who stiffens and breaks free from Yeon-soo’s embrace. As if that weren’t enough, she’s hit with another wave of small-town toxicity when she overhears the locals gossiping about her mother—“Soo-ja or Soo-ji,” they sneer, barely remembering her name since she abandoned Kang-hee.

Triggered and furious, Kang-hee storms off without a word. Yeon-soo, in a surprising display of confidence, catches up with her and calmly tells her to eat before leaving, because that’s what his late grandfather would have wanted. He then walks away, leaving Kang-hee stunned at his newfound boldness. Naturally, she’s curious, so she asks Seung-eon about Yeon-soo’s recent glow-up.

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Meanwhile, Yeon-soo is having a quiet little meltdown on the stairs, catching his breath as he processes the fact that, for the first time ever, he’s actually spoken back to Kang-hee. Kang-hee, meanwhile, tries to reconnect with her old best friend Ah-reum, whom she’d ghosted years ago. Ah-reum initially plays hard to get but eventually gives in, clearly missing their bond. Their warm reunion takes a turn when a group of local youths starts gossiping about Kang-hee and her friends. Flashback alert: we see toddler Kang-hee fiercely protecting her friends, even cursing a bully to get struck by lightning (spoiler: it actually happened).

Back in the present, Kang-hee’s fiery spirit hasn’t waned. She strides up to the group and absolutely roasts them, especially the grown-up version of the “lightning boy.” The banter turns messy when he throws water in her face, prompting her to retaliate by dumping noodles on his head. As she walks away victorious, he chucks a bottle at her—only for Yeon-soo to swoop in and take the hit like a knight in shining armor.

What happens next is the stuff of legends. The bully lunges at Yeon-soo, only to get clocked with a punch that leaves everyone—including Kang-hee—shook. This is a side of Yeon-soo no one expected, and while Kang-hee’s impressed, Yeon-soo’s mom is absolutely livid. She’s furious at Kang-hee, blaming her for “ruining” Yeon-soo and declaring that her brother Chun-pil’s daughter has done enough damage. To make matters worse, the bully threatens to sue Yeon-soo for assault. But Yeon-soo, now brimming with confidence, couldn’t care less. He asks Seung-eon to escort Kang-hee to the motel for her safety, cementing his role as her unexpected protector.

At the motel, Seung-eon offers to cook Kang-hee dinner, but she’s too distracted by memories of the night she spent with Yeon-soo. Unable to shake her feelings, she abruptly leaves for Seoul. That night, she gets a call from Seok-gyeong, who gushes about her design portfolio. She shuts him down, announcing she’s done working at Moment. Cue another flashback: a tipsy Kang-hee had called Seok-gyeong and showed him her proposal, leading to a cozy night of heart-to-heart conversations.

In the present, she regrets the call but is soon blindsided by a twist. Mr. Mok, her former boss, tries to woo her back by offering her the lead role on Seok-gyeong’s sister’s wedding project—a role Seok-gyeong personally requested for her. Kang-hee declines, much to Jeong-gu’s delight, as he’s rooting for her to break free from Moment’s toxic grasp.

Meanwhile, in Small Town, Yeon-soo proves he’s not just a hero to humans but to animals too. When Nan-woo, a young woman passionate about rescuing dogs, misunderstands his intentions for some stray pups, she’s ready to confront him. But when she discovers he’s found a top-tier shelter for the dogs, she’s overjoyed. Little does she know, this kind stranger is actually her senior, Yeon-soo, who’s rapidly gaining a reputation as the town’s heartthrob. Thrilled by their encounter, Nan-woo even asks Ah-reum to set her up with Yeon-soo so she can properly thank him.

Back in Seoul, Kang-hee takes matters into her own hands. She meets with Seok-gyeong and his sister, negotiating a private deal to work on their projects independently. Her hard work earns her an invite to the wedding, where she crosses paths with Jeong-gu. Ever the smooth-talker, Jeong-gu praises Kang-hee for setting boundaries and knowing her worth. Seok-gyeong later joins her and casually asks about her Christmas Eve plans. Kang-hee, keeping her cards close to her chest, claims she has other plans. In truth, she intends to spend her birthday night with her dad, Chun-pil.

As the evening unfolds, Kang-hee’s curiosity about Yeon-soo gets the better of her. She calls Ah-reum for updates, slyly steering the conversation toward him. Ah-reum mentions Yeon-soo’s legal troubles, prompting Kang-hee to consider apologizing. But just as she works up the nerve to call him, she hears Nan-woo’s voice in the background. Jumping to conclusions, Kang-hee cuts the call, feeling both jealous and hurt. To distract herself, she joins Seok-gyeong at a bar, where their growing camaraderie hints at more than just professional interest.

But the universe isn’t done playing matchmaker just yet. As Kang-hee and Seok-gyeong return to their room, they find Yeon-soo waiting for her. His smile falters as he takes in the scene, and a flashback reveals an intriguing twist: Kang-hee and Seok-gyeong had crossed paths back in 2013 but failed to recognize each other. In the present, Seok-gyeong introduces himself to Yeon-soo with an air of confidence, boldly suggesting that Kang-hee should be his responsibility now. The episode ends on this cliffhanger, leaving viewers buzzing with anticipation for the next chapter of this tangled love story.

Motel California Episode 2 Review

The second episode of Motel California brings the drama, the laughs, and just the right amount of chaos to keep us hooked. Between funeral hugs that spark scandalous town gossip and noodle-flinging fights that turn into heartfelt moments, this episode is a rollercoaster of emotions. Yeon-soo’s newfound confidence is both charming and hilarious, especially when he punches a bully—a move no one, not even Yeon-soo himself, saw coming. And let’s not forget Kang-hee’s sharp wit and sass, leaving grown men trembling in their boots. It’s messy, it’s dramatic, and we’re absolutely here for it.

The chemistry between Yeon-soo and Kang-hee continues to sizzle, even if it’s wrapped in awkward silences and misunderstood phone calls. And then there’s Seok-gyeong, swooping in with big “I’m-the-new-guy” energy, only to unwittingly walk into a love triangle we’re all dying to see explode. With its mix of small-town charm, complicated relationships, and just enough comedy to lighten the mood, this episode delivers everything you could want in a rom-com—and leaves us craving more.

Motel California is streaming on MBC and Viki.

Also read: All Reviews of Motel California