Early on, in the first episode of season two of Pachinko, American fighter planes drop pamphlets urging residents to petition the emperor to “halt this brutal war.” The calendar reads 1945 and the city is Osaka, where every corner holds grim reminders of the Second World War and the imminent threat of bombing. For Sunja and her small family, this atmosphere of uncertainty and unease permeates their lives deeply.
Based on the acclaimed and best-selling novel by Min Jin Lee, Pachinko initially captivated audiences in 2022 with its premiere season. The eight-episode series chose an innovative narrative technique by moving away from the book’s linear storyline. Instead, it spanned across different timelines: the 1940s, chronicling Sunja’s life in Korea and Japan during World War II, and 1989, following her grandson Solomon Baek as he returns to Japan from New York for a job in finance.
In the first season, viewers saw Sunja grappling with an unexpected pregnancy and navigating her new life in Osaka after leaving Japanese-occupied Korea with her husband, Baek Isak (Steve Sanghyun Noh). Season two opens with Sunja facing even greater challenges. It’s been years since Isak was imprisoned for helping laborers fight for fair wages. Sunja’s brother-in-law Yoseb (Han Joon-woo) now works in a factory in Nagasaki, and Sunja and her sister-in-law Kyunghee (Jung Eun-chae) are preoccupied with the scarcity of food, especially for Sunja’s children, who are forced to eat worm-infested rations. “I am good at selling,” Sunja declares with steely determination as she risks her life to sell rice wine in the illegal black market.
In the late 1980s setting, the narrative juxtaposes Sunja’s past with a modern storyline where Solomon’s father, Mozasu (Soji Arai), is preparing to open a new Pachinko Parlour. Meanwhile, Solomon himself is occupied with rallying investors for his new project. The end of the previous season saw him leaving his old firm after a botched business deal, driven by the story of an elderly Korean immigrant who refused to sell her land.
A book as sweeping and elaborate as Pachinko deserves a meticulous and deliberate unfolding on-screen, a quality that was beautifully executed in its first season. At a time when the fate of many shows hangs precariously, Pachinko’s new season doesn’t rush itself.
. The first episode, though unhurried, is thoroughly engaging as it sets the stage for significant changes in the lives of its central characters. Minha Kim shines as Sunja, embodying a woman who, despite feeling helpless, is resolutely determined to provide for her sons. Her children, Noa and Mozasu, played by Kim Kang-hoon and Eunseong Kwon respectively, are important new additions to the cast.
Mozasu is spirited and eager to “defeat the enemies,” as demonstrated in a scene where the family practices government-mandated drills to prepare for potential invaders. On the other hand, Kim Kang-hoon’s portrayal of Noa is more subdued, reflecting the burdensome reality of living as a zainichi (Korean in Japan). Noa faces taunts from classmates over his identity, while in 1989, Solomon confronts a racially-motivated outburst from a Japanese bakery owner against his grandmother Sunja (Yoon Yuh-Jung). “I’m from Yale University,” Solomon protests, highlighting the paradox of how much and yet how little has changed for the family across generations. Jin Ha’s portrayal of Solomon effectively captures a man on the edge, desperate for a fresh start and keen to succeed in his professional endeavors despite deviating from the book’s storyline.
In the inaugural season, the character of Koh Hansu, played by Lee Min-ho in what many consider a career-best role, was given substantial development. Hansu’s backstory, set against the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, is recounted in a dedicated episode directed by Kogonada. Even in the new season, Hansu continues to be a formidable presence, overseeing Sunja and her sons’ fates from the shadows.
Showrunner Soo Hugh has often spoken about the universal appeal of Pachinko—a tale that weaves through themes of love, loss, grief, and survival across generations. One of the show’s significant strengths is its ability to avoid becoming an overly indulgent melodrama, maintaining a balance with minimal theatrics. Despite its vast canvas and grand scale, Pachinko’s poignant storytelling transitions effectively into its second season with an impressive first episode. This promising start sets high expectations for the remaining seven episodes.
Pachinko Season 2 is currently streaming on Apple TV+ with new episodes releasing every Friday.
