Motel California

Tedious and repetitive. Twelve episodes and it goes nowhere. The female lead is annoying and unlikeable. The supporting cast have nothing to pull together. The writers have failed miserably and it's one of the few dramas that falls well below standard. Lee Se-young is better than this but sadly these characterizations are long remembered, here she is mean and selfish without reason, her constant pushing away then demanding attention is tiresome and in every episode it's the same scenario. Personally, Lee So-e as Han A-reum is the only shining light.

I expected much more. Twelve episodes was too long yet I didn't bail but sadly I didn't enjoy it and now regret the time spent enduring this rambling mess.

Korean Drama '' Motel California '' is a melodrama about family, first love, and small communities.

The drama had so many interesting themes to explore, like the main lead's biracial identity and how she was treated by the small community she was raised in, or her relationship with her father and her mother. Alas, everything was only touched upon, were never explored deeper than the surface, and was concentrated on the romance, which wasn't that interesting to begin with, other than the first episode.

At least, the performances were all great by every actor and actress of the cast. The pace, however, of the story was messy and badly handled.

So, overall, four out of ten.

I love the female and male leads, but this drama is written so badly that even after 2 episodes, I am fed up.

1. All the motel thing with motel-children is not clear. They have their mothers and fathers so obviously it is not a orphanage, still it is not clear.

2. The girl is going to seoul and she loves the fat boy- FINE but why would she not keep contact, why not share the address- she is not going to another planet 3- okay fine, she has her reasons for not disclosing- why would she turn down an offer to work with good amount with a reputable company- as a sign of "pride" - what pride?? What is so dishonourable in getting a lucrative job with good pay??

4- She is mean for no reason- when she showed up in funeral- why she went to sit on another table and start fight- she knew these people so obviously 'instigated' it.

5- if you are pining so much for the boy, why not share the number and at least ask how he is doing, what he has become etc. No NONE - She acts like a spoiled entitled sulking child for NO REASON.

6- Goes back to seoul to do what- nothing 7- Her father asks her to come to his hotel room for newyear dinner etc, why would she take a stranger to act as boyfriend? - How old are you? The father is already a chilled person so there is no issue of being coerced into something. The action is senseless 8- And then when you see the boy you love, standing there- still saying NOTIHING - why?

9- She is totally abusive and uses the boy's feeling and is narcissistic.

... very annoying- and if she is an adult, she better act like it- if not- then she is an abusive character - bakwas.

This is the most beautiful series I've ever seen. From the very first episode to the last, it's an incredibly profound journey that you rarely find in Hollywood or any other country. The beginning was breathtaking, but the ending was even more beautiful and meaningful. I've both cried and slept peacefully, feeling so deeply moved when the characters overcame their challenges. This is a series I will watch many times over and cherish forever. Truly unforgettable! A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in creating this masterpiece, especially the lead characters for their unforgettable performances. You've given us a series that will stay with us forever.

Reading reviews and commentary for this show online, it seems like I'm the only person who enjoyed Motel California. But I really loved this show. This drama is messy, angsty, moody, romantic, frustrating, and lovable. The characters are all flawed, but believable. It's believable that people from a small town with various forms of trauma and baggage would end up with complex and not-straightforward emotions, which leads to battles between head and heart, all weighed down by said baggage. Every relationship (between/among the leads and the background characters) is flawed in its own way, but those flaws add nuance to the characters, without detracting from the real and obvious affection. The plot moves "slowly," but it doesn't feel slow due to the emotional richness of the characters. The show is a beautiful exploration of romantic love, familial ties, friendship, and duty vs desire.

Lee Se Young and Na In Woo are amazingly adept at conveying joy and pain, sometimes (oftentimes) simultaneously; you can really feel them struggling against the various barriers put in front of them by themselves and by their society. Kim Tae Hyeong is also a fully fleshed out second male lead; he is not just a romantic foil to our main characters, but we also learn his backstory and motivations. Choi Min Soo is very touching as Kang Hee's dad, expressing his love through barriers of pain and restraint.