The MBC drama Motel California, starring Lee Se-young and Na In-woo, premiered on January 10, 2025. Directed by Kim Hyung-min and written by Lee Seo-yoon, the 12-episode series airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 pm KST. The story centers on Ji Kang-hee, who returns to her hometown after 12 years and reconnects with her first love, Cheon Yeon-soo, now a veterinarian in the village.Growing up at Motel California, Kang-hee endured constant gossip due to her mixed-race heritage and family hardships. After leaving at 20 to build a successful career as an interior designer in Seoul, her return stirs unresolved feelings and introduces new challenges.In episode 4 of Motel California, Kang-hee faces gossip yet again as she starts working on her father's new motel. Meanwhile, rumors about Yeon-soo dating Nan-woo put her in distress.Motel California episode 4 recap: Kang-hee tries to find more about Nan-wooIn this episode of Motel California, Kang-hee wakes up from a bad dream where she is trying to stop Yeon-soo's marriage with a gold-digger. This prompts her to agree to the idea of going to Hana-eup. Though Jeong-gu was supposed to be visiting the site, she got into an accident and had to be hospitalized.Hence, Kang-hee and Seok-kyung leave from Hana-eup. Kang-hee, however, has one condition, she does not want to be called by her name, her designation would do and she wants the accommodation to be outside Hana-eup. She falls asleep during the trip and wakes up at Motel California. Surprise, she finds out that the site is owned by the owner of Motel California, her dad.Ji Kang-hee visits Motel California(Image via @mbcdrama_now/Instagram)She covers her face with bug sunglasses and a scarf for the meeting. Though Chun-pil recognises her, he decides to play along. During the meeting, Kang-hee proposes a swimming pool on the terrace and a jazz bar below it, just like Chun-pil had told her he wanted it to be when she was just a child. Chun-pil is touched by the fact that Kang-hee still remembers it. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostKang-hee recalls her conversation with Chun-pil as a child where he talked about wanting a hotel. The idea of 'Otel', eliminating the difference between a hotel and a motel was derived from their conversation as well. Though the construction team is staying in Motel California, Kang-hee decides against it.While on their way to their accommodation, Kang-hee bumps into Yeon-soo and Nan-woo when they almost crash into Seok-kyung's car. Seeing Yeon-soo hold Nan-woo in his arms, she starts walking away. Yeon-soo quickly puts Nan-woo down and goes to speak to Kang-hee. He asks her how long she will be there. She tells him that she is there till Christmas and asks him to keep her presence in Hana-eup a secret.Later, she tells Seok-kyung that Yeon-soo is not just her first love but a savior, recalling when he was transferred to their school as a student. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostYeon-soo goes back to the motel and hears from Han-woo and Seung-eon that Kang-hee is in town. Soon-ja hears from Ah-reum that Kang-hee is a big interior designer and is dating a successful and rich heir.Yeon-soo hears rumors about Seok-kyung being a gambler. While in the hospital, he sees him drive away and decides to follow him. Meanwhile, Kang-hee sees Yeo-soo leaving the hospital and decides to visit it. She meets Nan-woo and has chamomile tea and abruptly leaves as well.While following Seok-kyung, Yeon-soo finds him trying to rescue a chained dog, he helps him and takes the dog for treatment.Kang-hee passes out by drinking at a restaurant, thinking of how well Nan-woo suits Yeon-soo. The owner calls her gang who take her to Motel California. As they put her to bed, she grabs Yeon-soo's hoodie and asks him to stay. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostMeanwhile, Seok-kyung is busy looking for Kang-hee. He finds help from a police officer who tells him that the Gangsters(Kang-hee's friends) have taken her to the motel. Worried that she has been kidnapped, Seok-kyung shows up at Motel California and threatens to cancel the project only to find out that Chun-pil is Kang-hee's father.She wakes up in the morning and finds that Han-woo, Seung-eun and Yeon-soo are staying at the motel. While having breakfast with Seok-kyung, the construction team mentions Yeon-soo getting married to Nan-woo.Having understood why Kang-hee came to Hana-eup, Seok-kyung asked her if she would like to go to the veterinary hospital with him to check if Nan-woo was a decent person. He had done the same with Victor when he found out that Esther wanted to marry him.They visit the clinic to see the dog Seok-kyung had rescued and Kang-hee sees Nan-woo taking good care of Yeon-soo. Later, she goes to an ice cream store and sees Yeon-soo and Nan-woo entering. Upset that she has been replaced, she leaves and murmurs to herself. Just then, Yeon-soo finds her and asks why she is crying.The next episode of Motel California is scheduled to be released on January 24.