The latest MBC original K-drama Motel California wrapped things up with a bitter-sweet ending. Starring Lee Se-young and Na In-woo in leading roles, the story follows protagonist Ji Kang-hee, who grows up in Motel California but faces prejudice in her small town due to her mixed-race background. When she turns 20, she leaves her hometown for Seoul, only to return years later to reconnect with her teenage love, Cheon Yeon-soo. Curious to know how director Kim Hyung-min ties up the ending of Motel California? Here we bring you all the details of the last episode of the romantic drama.
Adapted from the 2019 Korean novel Home, Bitter Home by Shim Yun-seo, the finale episode of Motel California aired on 15 February and recorded an average viewership rating of 5.9 per cent, according to Nielsen Korea.
Thanking fans for appreciating the show, lead actor Na In-woo shared in an interview with K-media outlet Sports Kyunghyang, “This was the first time I filmed a project with such a family-like atmosphere on set, so this drama was truly meaningful for me. Thank you so much [to the viewers] for being together with us. Please root for the happiness of Yeon-soo and Kang-hee in the future as well.”
Motel California ending explained: The cast and the characters they play
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- Lee Se Young as Ji Kang-hee
- Na In-woo as Cheon Yeon-soo
- Choi Min-soo as Ji Chun-pil
- Lee Kyu-ho as Mr. Kwon
- Yoon Seung-woo as Kim Heon-yeol
- Lee Rang-so as Jo Jin-ah
Spoilers ahead!
Does Chun-pil sell Motel California in the finale episode?
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No, he doesn’t.
In the penultimate episode of the romantic Korean drama, viewers learn that Ji Chun-pil (Choi Min-soo), the owner of Motel California in Hana-eup (a fictional village in South Korea), is terminally ill and suffers from cancer.
In the last episode, Chun-pil decides and prepares to sell the motel. When manager Kwon informs Kang-hee and Yeon-soo about the same, the duo vow to devise a plan to stop him.
Later, Kang-hee and Yeon-soo visit Chun-pil at the hospital where the former begs him to keep the motel. A flashback then shows a heartbroken and sickly Chun-pil confessing to Mr. Kwon, “After I die, I don’t want my Kang-hee to stay at Motel California, struggling alone with the memories”.
The narrative then shifts to the present day and Chun-pil assures Kang-hee that he wants her to find her own home. However, Kang-hee insists that her dream is to have a daughter in the future with whom she can spend time in Motel California, just like her mother. Chun-pil argues that his health won’t allow him to take care of the motel. So, Kang-hee begs him to exploit her interior designing skills and let her transform the motel into a nursing home. This way, Chun-pil can continue staying in Motel California while getting his treatment.
Eventually, Chun-pil accepts Kang-hee’s offer.
Motel California ending explained: Are Yeon-soo and Kang-hee finally together?
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Yes, they are.
In the finale episode of the 2025 K-drama, a devastated Kang-hee returns to Motel California after discovering that Chun-pil has been a cancer patient all this time.
At night, when Yeon-soo visits Kang-hee to comfort her, she breaks down and panics thinking of a future without Chun-pil. In a moment of utter vulnerability, Kang-hee then begs Yeon-soo to stay by her side forever.
The next morning, Yeon-soo surprises Kang-hee by taking her to the terrace of Hana Hotel to meet her childhood bullies, including Heon-yeol and Jin-ah. The group apologises to Kang-hee and offers to make donations for her nursing home project.
Over the next few days, Kang-hee busies herself in planning the blueprint for the nursing home. Yeon-soo, on the other hand, makes sure to take Kang-hee on multiple dates where they reminisce about their past times together.
Soon, it’s Christmas. Kang-hee is happy to celebrate the festival with Yeon-soo and Chun-pil, who has returned to Motel California after his chemotherapy session. They also celebrate Chun-pil’s birthday (which falls on the same day) and he thanks them for not abandoning Motel California.
Later that night, Kang-hee enjoys the first snow of the year with Yeon-soo. “They say if you eat the first snow ten times, you’ll be with your first love”, he teases her. A happy Kang-hee then runs out and does exactly that.
Before the credits roll, viewers see Kang-hee and Yeon-soo lying side by side on the snow. “I won’t go anywhere and I’ll stay close to you. I love you”, Kang-hee turns to Yeon-soo and finally confesses. As the couple exchange sweet kisses, Yeon-soo replies, “I love you”.
Watch Motel California on Rakuten Viki
(Hero and featured image credit: Rakuten Viki)
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the ending of ‘Motel California’ doesn't suggest a possible sequel.
‘Motel California’ is streaming worldwide on Rakuten Viki.
The main twist at the end of ‘Motel California’ is that Chun-pil is terminally ill and suffers from cancer.
There are a total of 12 episodes in ‘Motel California’.
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Written by
Sushmita Mahanta
Digital Writer (Growth) - Entertainment
Sushmita is a writer with a passion for crafting engaging and informative stories. An avid fan of K-pop and K-dramas, Sushmita mostly writes about Korean culture and entertainment. When not writing, you can find Sushmita dancing, reading, collecting books, learning about fashion, art, motion pictures, and appreciating BTS.
