Episode 8 of "Motel California" kicks off with an intimate moment as Kang-hee leans in to plant a kiss on Yeon-soo, but he gently pushes her away, reasserting the boundaries of their platonic bond. They decide to celebrate her new abode with a toast, prompting Kang-hee to venture out for beverages, contemplating the purchase of a condom out of a fleeting impulse. Meanwhile, Yeon-soo rings her, requesting a lightbulb for their makeshift home. Misunderstanding his words, Kang-hee erroneously assumes he's referring to a condom, only realizing her mistake upon her return. Amused by the mix-up, Yeon-soo ventures out himself to buy the actual lightbulb, toying with the idea of a condom himself this time. He returns with a flashlight instead, evoking memories of the night Kang-hee had once beseeched him to share her bed, memories that now linger like echoes in the room. Yeon-soo silently reminds himself that they are mere friends, nothing more.
As the evening progresses, alcohol takes its toll on Yeon-soo, drawing him closer to Kang-hee. He questions her about her transformation, leaning in for a kiss that she abruptly dodges by bolting to the bathroom. She frantically spritzes herself with perfume, but emerges to find Yeon-soo sprawled unconsciously on the floor. Despite her efforts to revive him, he remains in a slumber, prompting her to plant a tender kiss on his forehead instead. An hour later, Yeon-soo awakens to find Kang-hee nestled asleep on the cold floor. He gently lifts her and tucks her into her bed, ensuring her comfort.
The following morning, Kang-hee discovers Yeon-soo slumbering on the sofa, shrouded in his jacket. Upon waking, he berates himself for not exercising restraint the previous night. As they depart her residence, they unexpectedly encounter Seok-kyung, her next-door neighbor. Later, Seok-kyung crosses paths with Esther, unloading his envies over Kang-hee and Yeon-soo's bond, confessing his jealousy.
Kang-hee and Yeon-soo share a meal, and she boards a bus bound for Hana-eup. However, at the eleventh hour, Yeon-soo pulls her off, declaring his desire to spend a day in Seoul as they had envisioned years ago, when they could have traveled together.
In Hana-eup, Soon-ja abruptly receives a text message from Yeon-soo, informing her of his inability to attend the performance. Panicked, she dashes off to find Nan-woo, who has similarly just been notified by Yeon-soo of his absence. A sudden realization dawns on Soon-ja—Yeon-soo and Kang-hee are together in Seoul, a prospect that fills her with foreboding.
Meanwhile, Kang-hee and Yeon-soo wander the bustling city streets. She takes him to her goshiwon, and they share an intimate moment on the bed. Their joy continues as they head to an arcade, where Yeon-soo triumphs over Kang-hee in every game. However, their mood is shattered when Soon-ja calls Kang-hee using Ah-reum's phone. Kang-hee answers, only to be berated by Soon-ja's furious tirade.
The reality of their situation dawns on Kang-hee, who solemnly tells Yeon-soo that no matter how they feel, they cannot change their parents' minds. They board a bus home, only to find Soon-ja waiting for them at the stop. She accuses Kang-hee of stealing her son away, while Yeon-soo restrains her as Kang-hee flees to the safety of her home. Back at the motel, the other three friends speculate about the events when Kang-hee arrives, reluctantly admitting that Yeon-soo did indeed stay at her house—but only as a friend.
The following day, Yeon-soo confesses to Nan-woo that it was his mother who sent the flowers and tickets. Nan-woo suggests they inform the others of their breakup, but Yeon-soo is apprehensive about the blame falling solely on Kang-hee. Nan-woo doesn't seem pleased with this revelation.
Elsewhere, Soon-ja vents her frustrations to Chun-pil about the young couple and their seemingly impossible romance. The conversation reveals a dark past—Soon-ja's husband had an affair with Chun-pil's wife, and both passed away shortly thereafter. As Soon-ja relentlessly criticizes Kang-hee for taking Yeon-soo away from her, Chun-pil finally loses his composure. He scolds Soon-ja for being selfish and unconsiderate of the children's feelings.
Next, we witness Yeon-soo hastily making his way to the hospital, where Soon-ja feigns illness. He confronts her, inquiring whether she was the one who filed the complaint against the construction project. She confesses, acknowledging her involvement among the complainants. Unveiling a deep-seated grudge, she declares her intense dislike for Kang-hee, stemming from her mother's seduction of Yeon-soo's father, ultimately leading to his untimely demise. Intermittent flashbacks depict a tragic car accident that claimed the lives of both Yeon-soo's father and Kang-hee's mother.
The whispers about Kang-hee's alleged double-dealing with Seok-kyung and Yeon-soo continue to escalate. Chun-pil, seeking to offer solace, takes a leisurely stroll with Kang-hee. He reassures her, urging her not to let the gossips of others weigh her down. Before parting, he mentions his plans to embark on a journey.
Meanwhile, Seok-kyung arrives at the construction site, where a disgruntled worker informs him that the project has been halted due to a slew of complaints. The worker singles out Kang-hee as the scapegoat for all their woes. In a subsequent encounter at a café, Kang-hee suggests that the complaints will cease once she departs for Seoul. Seok-kyung brushes off her proposal and, later, seeks clarification from Heon-yeol and the other café gossipers about the spreading rumors.
Kang-hee ventures to the motel, where Soon-ja lies in wait, ready to confront her. With venom in her voice, Soon-ja accuses Kang-hee of being just like her mother, a thief of men's hearts. Unfazed, Kang-hee boldly admits to the resemblance. Just then, Yeon-soo enters the scene, prompting Soon-ja to force him into a decision between her and Kang-hee. He skillfully sidesteps the confrontation, gently ushering her back to the hospital.
Later, Seok-kyung discovers Kang-hee seated alone on a bench. After unveiling the depths of Kang-hee's past, he decides to bare his own soul. He recounts a rumor that once circulated about his homosexuality and how he cleverly obscured it with an even juicier scandal. He advises Kang-hee that she too might need such a rumor to shield herself.
In a heartfelt lunch outing with his mother, Yeon-soo confesses his past indiscretions. He reveals his time spent with his father, Kang-hee's mother, and Kang-hee herself — acknowledging his role in his father's affair and the countless lies he told to Soon-ja. His preference for Kang-hee's mother over Soon-ja fueled these lies, and as he grew older, guilt consumed him. This guilt led him to endure Soon-ja's numerous husbands and dramatic antics. He declares his desire for independence from her and an end to their platonic relationship with Kang-hee.
The scene shifts to Yeon-soo racing towards Kang-hee. He seizes her hand and leads her to a deserted street, where his passion takes over. In a heart-stopping kiss, he expresses his feelings and then, at the climactic moment of Motel California Episode 8, invites her to go out with him.
