[Motel California]
[A Good Friend to Meet]
[Characters, locations, incidents, groups, and occupations are fictitious.]
[Child actors were filmed safely with their guardians present and consulting with experts.]
[Animals were filmed with experts in compliance with animal welfare guidelines.]
Why do you keep doing this to me?
Cheon Yeon Soo.
Why did you help me?
Who are you to help me?
Answer me.
Do you like me?
That's all I can do for you.
Because I can't wipe away your tears,
I can't hold you back as a discarded first love.
That's all I can do for you one last time, because that's all there is.
Can't I even do that?
You don't like it?
One last time?
Who says it's the last time?
Why are you changing the ending as you please?
I know that the beginning and the end should always be yours.
But I need some time.
Time? What time?
Time to forget you.
So don't worry.
Don't feel pressured, and don't get angry.
Just give me some time.
I hate that, that's why I hate it.
Because you know all about my dark past and my wounds. That's why…
It hurts to see you.
Couldn't find her?
It's over.
It was over from the start.
That's actually better.
Kang Hee, where are you?
Please come to the police station now.
The man who claims to be Yeon Soo's mother's husband
is causing a scene and threatening to sue your father, so I…
Hello?
Kang Hee.
- Cheers. - Let's have a drink.
Hey, Ah Reum, please just bring me a bottle of beer here.
Hey, Ah Reum, bring some soju too.
Kang Hee.
- Oh? Hey. - Come quick.
Everyone is gathered here now.
Hey.
I don't want to be joined.
Seok Kyeong was here too, hurry up.
Hey, hey.
You came here looking for your boyfriend, right?
He was here just now, but he just left.
Ji Kang Hee, I'll enjoy the meal, thanks.
Seok Kyeong gave us his credit card.
Originally it was just Seok Kyeong and us, but then the others came…
What's the most expensive thing here?
Order all the side dishes on the menu, from start to finish, all of them.
Yeah, you said we can use the credit card as much as we want.
Ji Kang Hee, it's okay, isn't it?
Why are you asking me that?
Please give me a glass here.
Thank you.
Han Ah Reum, you've been on blind dates, right?
With the ophthalmologist.
Last time, you went on a blind date with a dentist.
And this time, with an ophthalmologist?
It seems like you only go on blind dates with doctors.
That's only good if it works out well.
Does that mean all the blind dates didn't go well?
Ah Reum's family has a lot of money, right?
How could a public education employee have a lot of money?
You say you don't have money, but you got a master's and PhD…
Honestly, what's the point of a degree if you're just lending books?
She would need it when going on blind dates, I guess.
- What? - What?
Yeah, give it a try.
Who knows?
Maybe you'll snag a Prince Charming like Kang Hee.
Hey.
Hey?
Han Ah Reum can get angry too?
Is it because Ji Kang Hee is next to you, so there's nothing to be afraid of?
Stop messing around.
Let's go, Han Ah Reum.
Let's go.
Why are you listening to this crap?
Come on, let's just go.
- Ignorant punks. - What? Ignorant?
How dare you? You only have a middle school education!
Don't you know whose fault is it that he only has a middle school education?
Seriously, you've killed my mood to drink.
Ji Kang Hee, what are we supposed to do if you leave too?
Who's paying the bills here?
[Motel California] At last…
I've achieved my dream.
Thanks to Chun Pil.
What was your dream?
A divorce that doesn't cost money.
I think a wedding that costs a lot of money is romantic,
and a divorce that doesn't cost much is preferable.
Su Ji, I have a favor to ask of you.
Next time you get married, never register the marriage.
I think I'll become a divorce lawyer because of you.
I guess he'd start building up some expertise.
It's already your fourth time, after all.
That's right.
Hey.
Don't ever think about getting a divorce
just because I'm like this, okay?
These two get along well. How could that be possible?
No way.
You can just live by getting a divorce first, like she did.
Oh, senior.
No, Kang Hee.
Kang Hee.
Let's just go.
I can go alone.
You don't have to take me there.
Goodbye.
Be careful.
See, I told you to just come out quickly, but you didn't listen to me.
Everyone thinks we're getting married, how could I do that?
It's because you've unnecessarily spread rumors.
I told you to stop it earlier.
Should we stop, then?
Yeah, let's stop.
Okay.
Then, let's go.
Where to?
To Kang Hee.
What are you talking about all of a sudden?
The person you've been waiting for
is Kang Hee, right?
'I've waited for you with my whole heart, without looking at anyone else.'
'I have no intention of meeting anyone else but you for the rest of my life.'
Go to her and tell her honestly.
Go and tell her right now!
Be careful.
If you say that to Kang Hee,
then I will also clarify the rumor.
Okay?
Yeah, I told him we should break up.
It was my fault.
Even so…
After 20 years, he couldn't even wait a few months and fell for someone else?
Yeah, to the person who's liked me for over 20 years, I have nothing to say.
Even so…
He should have held out a little longer.
I'm also in Seoul now, with a proper job
and my own room all set up,
so if he comes to Seoul, I'm fine with it.
Has he completely fallen for Yoon Nan Woo that much?
Yeah, he must be happy.
She was indeed pretty.
And her smile was pretty too.
Even the voice was lovely.
Everything was pretty.
Is she on the phone?
Even so…
He said he only liked me before.
He's a total liar.
What? He's going to forget about me now?
Jeez.
Is there nothing more he can do?
Yes, I have nothing to say.
Does he like her a lot?
Why is she talking on the phone all night?
He must be happy because his girlfriend is pretty.
He must be happy because her voice is beautiful.
Ugh, bad guy.
Bad guy.
Did Ji Kang Hee come to torture me?
She said he wasn't her boyfriend.
He's not my boyfriend, but my husband.
No.
He's not my husband, but on my side.
What about me?
I'm on your side too, Kang Hee.
No, you are not.
Cheon Yeon Soo,
you're on your mom's side,
your grandfather's side,
Mr. Chun Pil's side,
Hana-eup's side,
the side of cows, chickens, pigs, animals,
and Yoon Nan Woo's side.
No, I'm not in a relationship with Yoon Nan Woo to get married.
You need to be scolded.
I'll handle him.
Dare to avoid me?
You started it first.
You dare hit me here?
Hold on a second.
Did you just bite me? Come here.
Let go, let go!
Let go! I said let go!
[Motel California]
Good.
- Did you sleep well? - Yes.
Did you take Ah Reum home safely?
Yes.
By the way, why did you do that yesterday?
What?
What about that?
Hey, is that what a friend does, just staying silent in that situation?
You by any chance…
Don't say it.
How dare I think that, considering my situation?
What's wrong with your situation?
I'm an orphan and only have a middle school education.
Jeez.
Please don't do this anymore.
The people at the bar that day, they're the ones who bullied you as a kid, right?
'Kang Hee is doing great in Seoul.'
'I'm falling for her and chasing after her.'
'Well, if Kang Hee likes me, I'll even get married.'
When I said that, they were totally suffering from jealousy.
This is what you call revenge.
True revenge.
Why are you taking my revenge?
I'm your official boyfriend until the construction is done. Remember?
I'll use you one more time,
just until the construction is done.
This time, I have a condition too.
If you're using me, I have to be your official boyfriend until the construction is done.
Do you really have to?
I don't want that.
Then go and clarify things to them.
I need to have at least some safety measures, too.
If we break up before the construction is finished,
then I'll be the bad guy, and you'll be the tragic heroine who got dumped.
No, that's not it.
I'll be the one who gets criticized in this neighborhood, no matter what.
So, you don't need to worry about that.
Oh, that's even more upsetting.
I can't stand it when people criticize you.
Alright, then.
It doesn't matter to me.
So we have a deal, okay?
I'm your official boyfriend.
Alright, official boyfriend.
As your official boyfriend, I'm asking, what should we do today?
We don't have anything to do during the curing process, right?
I have a lot of work to do.
Where are you going?
Oh, Mr. Kwon again.
Why do you keep blocking me only?
Kang Hee, you're like my granddaughter.
Always smile brightly.
Kang Hee, congratulations on becoming a high school student.
Go buy a satchel.
Congratulations on your graduation.
Even when you go to high school, like now.
Don't lose the cool Ji Kang Hee.
Hello.
Oh? Hello.
The director is not here right now.
I came today because I have something I want to ask you.
You can speak casually.
I could ask Yeon Soo, but since it's a personal question,
I wanted to ask you directly.
I really hope you can answer me.
What is it?
Your parents…
Mr. Cheon.
Please ask him directly.
It doesn't seem like something I should say.
Please hear it directly from him.
What's going on?
Ms. Yoon, are both of her parents still around?
Yes.
She must have grown up with a lot of love.
I guess so.
But why?
I came to ask about that.
I mean, whether both of her parents are still around,
and if she grew up with a lot of love.
Can you spare some time today?
I want to go visit Grandpa.
I really want you to come with me.
Grandpa.
You know I'm really good at holding on, right?
I held on even when taking care of you was tough.
And when Mom caused trouble, and it was too much to handle, I held on well.
Even when I got kicked by a cow and broke my ribs,
I held on well, laughing it off.
But why can't I hold on when it comes to Kang Hee?
I know.
I know that there is someone else beside Kang Hee.
But Kang Hee's back keeps telling a different story.
She keeps saying that she's struggling
and suffering.
So, I'm just going to tell her
that I'll wait, and she can come back anytime if she's struggling.
You'll support me, right?
Grandpa, you've always been on mine and Kang Hee's side.
Grandpa.
I'm here.
You're watching us, right?
I came to keep my promise.
Isn't this Grandpa's ring?
Why do you have this?
I once went to see Grandpa
because I wanted to go to Seoul with you.
- Grandpa? - Yes?
Grandpa, can't you persuade Yeon Soo?
About what?
We agreed to go to Seoul together.
Let's go to Seoul where no one knows us
and enjoy a free campus life together.
But suddenly, Yeon Soo says he won't go.
Kang Hee.
My health has gotten a bit worse.
How serious is it?
Are you seriously unwell?
Does Yeon Soo know?
That's why Yeon Soo…
Then he should've told me.
How serious is it?
Kang Hee.
Would you do me a favor?
Open it.
It's pretty, isn't it?
This is the ring I gave to Yeon Soo's grandmother as a present.
After Yeon Soo's grandmother passed away, Yeon Soo asked for that ring so desperately,
but I didn't give it to him.
I wanted to give it to Yeon Soo's partner, a granddaughter-in-law.
I don't know how long I have left to live,
and I can't guarantee I'll be able to give this to you while I'm still in my right mind.
So, Kang Hee,
when Yeon Soo meets the right one,
will you give it on to him?
I hope Yeon Soo's partner is a cheerful and kind child,
loved by both parents in an ordinary family.
You'll do me a favor, right?
That's nonsense.
The motel construction was just an excuse.
I heard you might get married, so I came to check.
Grandfather was right.
For you, Cheon Yeon Soo,
it won't be someone like me, who's pugnacious,
but someone lovely like Yoon Nan Woo.
What does that mean?
I'm glad you met a good person,
and now I can keep my promise
with Grandpa.
No, Kang Hee, that's not it.
I hope you live happily for generations in this countryside, Hana-eup,
Cheon Yeon Soo.
It's all over now.
It's really over.
If I keep enduring here,
like that motel, my life will also go dark.
You're doing just fine.
But I can't endure it.
I'll never come back here again.
Isn't it amazing?
We've received a celebration from the people.
The elders in Hana-eup gave blessings.
But to us,
they acted so cruelly and harshly,
pretending to care and look out for us.
Why do you remember such things?
You should erase those memories
and live on, forgetting them.
I know, right?
I should have done that.
I intend to do so now.
I won't have to listen to this kind of crap anymore.
I'm sorry.
You must have had it harder than anyone.
I was too ignorant.
I'm sorry, Kang Hee.
So that's why you asked
if Ms. Yoon has both parents and if she grew up being loved.
Those words
were really painful to me.
I could never be that kind of person.
No matter how hard I try,
I can never become that kind of person.
Then, did you just push me away because of Grandpa?
It's not the whole reason, but that was part of it.
Hey.
Hey, Kang Hee, Ji Kang Hee!
Hey, what are you doing?
Hey.
Just come out, it's dangerous.
Wait, I need to find this.
Why are you looking for it? What are you planning to do with it?
I should find it and give it to her.
To me, it's like Grandpa's last will.
Who are you going to give it to?
That's not it.
What?
I'm not marrying Yoon Nan Woo.
Kang Hee, are you okay?
Kang Hee.
Hey.
Never mind, you're cold too.
It's okay.
You'll catch a cold.
It's fine.
It's your coat.
You can have it.
Aren't you going to marry Yoon Nan Woo?
How come?
Why not?
You know what Hana-eup is like.
Yeon Soo is setting up a clinic with Yoon Nan Woo.
What? Really?
So that's why he said he was going to get a job in Seoul, but ended up staying in Hana-eup?
That's crazy.
He made a good decision.
Yoon Nan Woo is much better than Ji Kang Hee.
She's young and cute.
Oh dear.
I was envious.
I thought we were going to marry Han Woo off first.
So when are they getting married?
I don't know.
A vet couple?
Oh my, that's nice.
Well…
I mean, as long as Yeon Soo is happy, I have no objections.
It means
I'm the one with an open mind.
You haven't changed one bit,
now or then.
What about you?
I mean, that man.
Didn't I tell you?
When I go to Seoul, I'm going to meet a lot of men.
And among them, I'll marry the most fantastic man.
What kind of man is a 'fantastic man'?
A man who's nothing like Chun Pil.
So, is he that kind of man?
He's from a different world than me.
He's probably never once thought that someone might dislike him.
He has probably never felt inferior.
He's truly someone
with no twisted or negative traits in his personality.
So sometimes,
I feel envious when I look at him.
So, you said it's good.
Hey, wait a minute.
Why do you guys look like that?
Where have you been?
What are you talking about? We just met up front.
Doesn't seem like you've just met, huh?
Where did you guys go?
Just leave them alone.
Yeon Soo is off-limits to you.
Just leave them alone.
- What? - Hobbies?
- That won't do. - Why?
You know how hard it was for him, right?
I've decided to stop pretending to be engaged to Ms. Yoon.
We decided to clarify the rumors.
So what?
What does that have to do with me?
That's just how it is.
Oh, it's hot.
Oh my, it's cold.
Oh, it's warm.
Huh? Ms. Hwang.
Oh, Kang Hee.
What brings you here?
I didn't come for any special reason.
Am I not allowed here?
The carpentry work hasn't even started, but the vibe is already here.
Now that I've seen it, I'm even more excited.
Why are you wearing heels?
Do you want to use the wheelchair again?
I bought it to commemorate not having to use a wheelchair anymore.
I'm meeting someone today.
- Today? - Who?
Kang Hee, what do you think about the client?
He's gentle and nice, right?
Well…
Of course, he's the best.
Right?
The truth is, I've known him for a long time,
and I'm considering seeing him seriously this time.
- What? - After surviving a near-death experience,
I realized it would be nice to have someone by my side who is on my side.
He's older than he looks.
I'm older than I look, too.
Do you know he's a widower with a child?
So what?
He's a dad who raised his daughter with devotion after getting hurt at a young age.
He really loved his daughter.
He said his daughter lost her favorite teddy bear.
So he wanted to give her a teddy bear as a birthday present.
I bought him one, the original Teddy Bear.
You're saying that you bought that for her?
Yes.
She must be in college by now.
Would she like me?
Do you know how he became a widower?
- Huh? - Please ask about it.
They say the man's greatest accomplishment in life is womanizing.
Is the client's reputation that bad?
Do you know the client's name?
Of course.
Ji Chun Pil.
How can his name be so classic and romantic?
Ji Chun Pil, Ji Kang Hee.
Doesn't it remind you of anything?
They have the same last name.
Kang Hee said she grew up in a motel, right?
- No way… - Yes.
The only daughter of the client Ji Chun Pil
is Ji Kang Hee.
It's ridiculous.
Are you, by any chance…
Kkam Hee?
Why are you here?
What are you looking at?
Hey.
I heard about the secret of your birth today.
I really don't like your origin, seriously.
What are you doing?
Are you taking it?
I'm going to throw it away.
Why are you throwing away my teddy bear?
No, it's not.
This was bought by Mr. Chun Pil to impress a certain lady.
He did? For whom?
What are you talking about all of sudden?
Ms. Hwang.
Huh?
Unbelievable.
You.
You know when I started calling Dad 'Mr. Chun Pil'?
Director.
- Ah, you're here… - I'm a bit late.
Where have you been?
My brother died because of you.
Mom almost died, too.
Yes, that's…
Kang Hee, I'm sorry.
I'm late. I'm sorry.
Go, you have no right to be here.
Leave, from now on, you are not even my dad.
Kang Hee, I'm sorry, so sorry.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
Oh dear, I did wrong, I'm sorry.
I will do better. I'm sorry.
Even now, when I think about that day,
I wake up suddenly in anger and get mad.
Back then, Mr. Chun Pil acted like a caring husband, like a kind father,
and was going around lying to women.
He must have had a hard time with what happened that day, too.
Don't take his side.
Both Mr. Chun Pil and your mom…
My mom?
At the moment my brother died,
Chun Pil and Su Ji were together.
Mom.
Mom, mom, what's happening?
Kang Hee, please call Dad for me.
Please call Dad.
Please call Dad…
Mom.
When Mom and
my little brother were dying,
Mr. Chun Pil was with your mom.
He went to Seoul to catch a conman who tricked your mom.
I will
never forgive Mr. Chun Pil
and your mom.
What about me?
You…
Can you abandon your mom?
Oh, is that your room?
Oh, Ms. Hwang.
I'd like to take a look at your room, see if the dolls are okay.
Oh, no…
The room hasn't been cleaned.
You were here.
I have prepared a cup of warm tea before you go.
Let's have a drink downstairs.
- Oh, shall we? - Yes, yes.
Kang Hee, I will be going then, take care.
Ah, just a moment.
I will escort you, Ms. Hwang.
Will you?
No, it's okay, I can go alone.
You can't. It's too much to drive alone.
I came alone?
That's what I mean. Round-trip driving is really too much.
If you're really worried, ask Manager Keum.
You should stay and watch over the site.
No, I will escort you.
I want to go to Seoul.
It will take a lot of time for the concrete to cure, and I have nothing to do.
I need to go. I want to go home.
It's hard living in a motel for a long time.
I want to rest in my own room.
Then shall we go to the lobby and wait?
- Shall we? - Yes.
Then I'll wait downstairs.
You heard it, right?
I'll get going.
Do you want to drop by my house before you go?
I want to go home, wash up, and rest.
They say the construction was almost delayed because of the Hanwoo Beef Festival.
Chun Pil wished it would be delayed even more.
What?
So that he could see you for longer.
But he said he's sorry that he didn't consider your feelings might get hurt.
He said there are many other things he's sorry for.
Ah, it's home.
Finally, I'm in Seoul.
Now I can finally breathe.
Home is indeed the best.
Cheon Yeon Soo, do you know this feeling?
What am I saying right now?
Why am I suddenly talking about Cheon Yeon Soo?
Indeed, Arisu is the best when it comes to tap water.
It seems like my skin has become rough and dull because I didn't pay attention to it.
I shouldn't let it go like this.
Wow, it looks like my skin has improved.
Look at how firm it has become.
What if Cheon Yeon Soo doesn't recognize me?
I might have become so beautiful that he might not recognize me.
Why do I keep talking about Cheon Yeon Soo?
Oh no.
[Ji Kang Hee, Cheon Yeon Soo]
Will you throw it away?
Why did you come?
To clean.
- Kwon… - Yes.
Please take this to Kang Hee's room…
Yes.
It's a call from Kang Hee.
Kang Hee, how's Seoul?
You're bored without me, aren't you?
Bored? I have a lot to do as well.
Like doing laundry and making calls.
What about you?
How are you doing? Are Yeon Soo and the others all doing well?
Ah, you miss me that much?
I'm in a good mood, so I'll hang up now.
I'm also doing well…
Hello?
Take a good rest in Seoul before you come back.
Yes.
Why?
Can't I just call without a reason?
Am I your lover or something? Hang up.
I'm swamped with work.
Oh, yeah, yeah.
- Yeah. - I'll hang up first then.
I'll hang up now, bye.
Ah, okay.
Oh, I'm doing well. We should meet sometime, it's a pity.
Because I'm busy.
Sure, come visit sometime. Yeah, okay.
Yeah, sorry.
Ah, I got a call from Kang Hee.
I told her to take a good rest while she's in Seoul and then come back.
Oh, yeah. I see.
[Geum Seok Kyeong]
So far, everything is progressing according to schedule without major issues.
Isn't this the first time a rooftop pool has been built in Hana-eup?
It's the first time, yes.
How about having the opening ceremony there?
The opening ceremony will of course be planned with a Christmas party concept.
It's also a request from the client.
Sounds good.
How is the Yeonnam-dong project progressing?
How about trying a rooftop pool there too?
There is a cooling tower on the rooftop…
The load is an issue.
We'll know after a safety inspection.
I will never forgive Mr. Chun Pil and your mother.
What about me?
You…
Can you abandon your mother?
Let's proceed that way. Thank you for your hard work.
- Thank you for your hard work. - Yes.
Kang Hee.
Ms. Ji Kang Hee.
Yes, Ms. Hwang.
Our meeting is over.
Yes.
Do you have any concerns?
Shall we have a cup of tea?
Next time, I have an appointment.
Kang Hee.
Has the meeting ended?
Yes.
Did you get a scolding from Ms. Hwang? Why do you look upset?
Let's go, I'll cheer you up.
I really didn't expect that.
About what?
I had no idea Seok Kyeong would stay in the countryside that long.
He must be regretting it by now,
being bored with no work at the construction site.
Not really?
He seemed busy.
Because of the construction,
the dust is making the color of the wall start to change.
Start by cleaning the wall,
and then contact my secretary.
Look at how the floor in our store cracked because of the construction shaking the ground.
You have some spare tiles, don't you?
Start with a safety inspection of the building,
and please ask our site manager.
Due to the construction noise, we have no customers at the restaurant.
I'll check if it tastes good and then designate it as the on-site cafeteria, okay?
You have your parents' permission, right?
I will choose my life partner myself.
Can you handle Ji Kang Hee?
Yes, more than enough.
Is your taste in women the daughter of a motel owner?
The daughter of the shop in the next town is so pretty.
People are really visiting him day and night,
saying one of them is much prettier than you and even trying to set him up with matches.
Anyway, he said it's incredibly busy.
It's a bit disconcerting.
What is?
I'm amazed at how you know his latest updates in such detail.
Because we're friends.
We've been friends since we were in our mothers' wombs.
Friends…
Did you know that friendship is more persistent than love?
Because friendship is eternal.
Can we be friends?
[Motel California]
Ji Kang Hee.
Do you know about the "white bear effect"?
They say, the more you try to forget, the more you keep thinking about it.
So let's just
stay friends.
If you're going to eat, come on over.
Can't friends share ice cream?
Where's the spoon? If you're going to eat, you need to bring a spoon.
Here it is.
What?
Can't friends even share a spoon?
That's not right, even as friends, you should use separate spoons.
Go get one quickly, if you're going to eat.
I don't want to. It looks like you'll eat it all.
It's already all gone because you came late.
Look at this.
Can you be friends with me?
I don't want to.
[Motel California]