Early on, in the first episode of season two of *Pachinko*, American fighter planes drop pamphlets, urging the residents to petition the emperor to “halt this brutal war.” The year is 1945, and in Osaka, reminders of the Second World War and an imminent bombing are omnipresent. For Sunja and her small family, this uncertainty and disquiet hang heavily over their lives.
Based on the best-selling novel by Min Jin Lee, *Pachinko*’s first season premiered in 2022. The eight-episode series deviated from the book’s linear narrative, instead alternating between the 1940s, focusing on Sunja’s life in Korea and Japan during World War II, and 1989 where we follow her grandson Solomon Baek as he returns to Japan from New York for a financial assignment.
Season one showcased Sunja grappling with an unexpected pregnancy and trying to adapt to life in Osaka after leaving Japanese-occupied Korea with her husband, Baek Isak (Steve Sanghyun Noh). Years have passed since Isak was imprisoned for aiding laborers fighting for fair wages. Sunja’s brother-in-law Yoseb (Han Joon-woo) now works in a factory in Nagasaki, while Sunja and her sister-in-law Kyunghee (Jung Eun-chae) worry about providing their children with enough food, often resorting to worm-infested rations. “I am good at selling,” declares Sunja with steely determination before she sets out to risk her life and sell rice wine in the illegal black market.
This narrative is juxtaposed with the late 1980s, where Solomon’s father Mozasu (Soji Arai) is preparing to open a glitzy new Pachinko Parlour. Solomon himself is busy assembling investors for his new project. He left his old firm at the end of the previous season, following a botched business deal influenced by a senior Korean immigrant’s refusal to sell her land.
The expansive story of *Pachinko* deserves nothing less than a meticulous, almost leisurely on-screen unfolding, something beautifully achieved in season one. In an era where the threat of shows not being renewed looms large, *Pachinko* appears unhurried yet engaging in its new season. The first episode of season two is carefully paced, illustrating how life has evolved for the central characters following a time leap.
. Sunja, portrayed adeptly by Minha Kim, embodies a sense of helplessness, yet determination to provide for her sons. Her sons, Noa and Mozasu, played by Kim Kang-hoon and Eunseong Kwon respectively, are welcome additions to the cast.
Mozasu is sprightly and eager to defeat adversaries, participating fervently in government-mandated drills to prepare for potential invaders. In contrast, Noa is subdued, bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders as he grapples with the discrimination that zainichis (Koreans in Japan) face. As Noa endures his classmates’ taunts about his identity, Solomon in 1989 experiences a racially-motivated tirade from a Japanese bakery owner against his grandmother Sunja (Yoon Yuh-Jung). “I’m from Yale University,” he shouts, highlighting how much—and yet how little—has changed for different generations of the family. Jin Ha effectively portrays Solomon as a ticking time bomb, constantly on edge. Desperate for a fresh start and professional advancement, his arc in this season diverges from the book, which promises new developments to look forward to.
Season one also delved into the character of Koh Hansu, a fish broker and merchant with powerful connections. Played by Lee Min-ho in a career-defining role, Hansu’s backstory, revealed through an episode set against the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake and directed by Kogonada, paints a compelling picture. Hansu remains a significant presence, watching over Sunja and her sons.
Showrunner Soo Hugh has frequently acknowledged the universality of *Pachinko*—a story navigating love, loss, grief, and survival across generations. One of the show’s greatest strengths is its avoidance of turning into an indulgent melodrama, maintaining minimal theatrics. The canvas is vast, and the scale grander than ever before, but *Pachinko*’s solemn yet moving storytelling successfully continues into season two with its first episode, promising the same depth and engagement for the next seven episodes.
The second season of *Pachinko* is currently streaming on Apple TV+, with new episodes releasing every Friday.
