When we first encounter Minha Kim’s Sunja in the second season of Pachinko, she is amidst the clamoring hustle of a marketplace in Osaka. Her presence is heralded by her voice, fervently promoting her homemade kimchi to the bustling crowds. She not only emphasizes its deliciousness but touches on the emotional string by declaring, “Come, get a taste of home.”
This emotional connection resonates deeply with Minha, who began her journey with Pachinko in 2021. It was only her second professional role and her first venture into an American production. The young actor embraced the central role of Sunja, a pivotal figure from Min Jin Lee’s renowned novel Pachinko—a sprawling narrative that traces the lives of a family spanning four generations, through love, sorrow, loss, and survival. Minha’s critically acclaimed portrayal in the first season earned her a nomination for a Gotham Award for Outstanding Performance in a New Series and the Breakout in TV honor at the 2022 Asian American Award’s Unforgettable Gala. Earlier this year, she also appeared in the music video ‘Come back to me,’ a song by RM of BTS.
Now, returning for the show’s second season, Minha shared her thoughts with The Hindu, expressing how she approached the character with the same authenticity she did in season one, while adapting to the series’ time jump. “The most important part for me is to feel Sunja genuinely,” she said. “The time jump required me to maintain her essence while constructing my own stories for Sunja.”
Set in 1945 Osaka, season two showcases Sunja as a more mature individual both physically and emotionally. War has taken its toll on the city, and Sunja grapples with the absence of her husband—missing and possibly imprisoned. She is responsible for two young sons amidst financial constraints and meager rations. Her concerns extend to her mother back in Japanese-occupied Korea—a home she left long ago. Her identity and memories of home now live on in her kimchi and the Korean language she speaks with her sons.
Director Leanne Welham was highly impressed with Minha’s portrayal, calling her a ‘smart actor.’ “It was not easy to step into a second season and embody a character like Sunja,” Welham said. “Minha brought both intelligence and intuition to her performance. She has a luminance on camera that’s rare and wonderful to work with.” This season saw the directorial efforts of Leanne Welham, Arvin Chen, and Sang-il Lee, utilizing a multilingual approach with Japanese, Korean, and English.
Despite the weighty responsibilities Sunja carries, Minha emphasized that the character’s love for her family prevents these burdens from becoming overwhelming.
. Sunja’s emotional struggle, coping with extraordinary circumstances while remaining a normal woman, was a focal point for Minha during the filming process. “Sunja faces many difficult situations,” she reflected. “I tried to accept and embody them as Sunja would, who is adept at moving forward.”
Throughout the series, Sunja is persistently confronted with decisions impacting both herself and her family’s future. “Even when Sunja is momentarily confused, she is never lost for too long,” Minha noted. “She understands there is no absolute right or wrong. She acts swiftly, knowing she must protect her family and herself.”
This intricate character development meant Minha had to ensure her portrayal was not monotonous. “I aimed to infuse my performance with varied emotions,” she explained. “I wanted to enhance Sunja’s relationships with other characters, bringing depth and nuance.”
With a seven-year leap since season one, Sunja’s sons are now eight and thirteen. She finds a strong support system in her sister-in-law, Kyunghee. Additionally, Koh Hansu, portrayed by Lee Min-ho, re-enters her life, stirring memories of their tumultuous past.
Talking about the ensemble cast—Jung Eun-chae, Lee Min-ho, Steve Sanghyun Noh, Jin Ha, and Yuh-jung Youn—Minha beamed with pride. “They are incredible actors, and we engaged in many discussions about our characters and relationships. However, we largely trusted our instincts and had faith in each other’s abilities.”
In the lead-up to the season two premiere in New York, Lee Min-ho shared endearing snapshots on Instagram of him and Minha in casual attire, captioning them playfully as ‘hansu & sunja in newyork,’ much to the delight of their fans.
The camaraderie off-camera significantly enhanced their on-set dynamics, according to Minha. “We shared great chemistry and spent time together in Korea after filming wrapped up. This camaraderie contributed positively to our performance,” she shared with a smile.
Season 2 of Pachinko is set to premiere on Apple TV+ on August 23, promising to continue the richly-woven tapestry of Sunja’s story in this critically acclaimed series.
