Early on in the first episode of the much-anticipated second season of “Pachinko,” fervor and apprehension fill the 1945 air as American fighter planes release pamphlets urging Japanese residents to petition their emperor to “halt this brutal war.” Set in the heart of Osaka, the looming shadow of the Second World War casts an ever-present tension throughout the bustling cityscape, and for Sunja and her small family, this disquiet is an imminent threat they cannot ignore.
Based on Min Jin Lee’s universally acclaimed novel, “Pachinko,” the first season of this epic narrative took viewers on a transformative journey. It premiered in 2022, produced as an eight-episode saga that expertly ventured between timelines. The 1940s storylines focused on Sunja’s life during World War II in Korea and Japan, while also navigating her grandson Solomon Baek’s return to Japan in 1989, entangled in the complexities of his finance job from New York.
Season one showcased Sunja grappling with the revelation of an unexpected pregnancy and her efforts to adapt to life in Osaka with her husband, Baek Isak (played by Steve Sanghyun Noh), whom she joined after fleeing Japanese-occupied Korea. In season two, the stakes rise exponentially. Isak had been imprisoned following his attempts to assist laborers in securing fair wages, leaving Sunja to bear the weight of their family’s survival. Meanwhile, her brother-in-law, Yoseb (Han Joon-woo), toils in a Nagasaki factory amidst increasing peril, and she and her sister-in-law, Kyunghee (Jung Eun-chae), fret over scrapping by on worm-infested food rations for their children.
With steely resolve, Sunja declares, “I am good at selling,” as she ventures into the treacherous domain of the black market, risking her life to sell rice wine and provide for her family. This narrative is starkly contrasted with scenes from the late 1980s, where Solomon’s father, Mozasu (Soji Arai), prepares to open an opulent new Pachinko parlor. In this parallel timeline, Solomon—having abandoned his former firm in a morally charged decision involving an elderly Korean immigrant’s refusal to sell her land—endeavors to attract investors for his new enterprise.
A sweeping and expansive narrative like “Pachinko” necessitates careful and deliberate storytelling—a feat masterfully executed in its first season. Amidst a television landscape where the specter of non-renewal often looms large, “Pachinko” retains its deliberate pacing in its second season, offering an unhurried yet captivating first episode. The passage of time has altered lives, deepened character complexities, and enriched the overarching saga.
. Sunja’s resilience, presented with compelling nuance by Minha Kim, reveals a woman determined to provide for her children despite insurmountable odds.
Her sons, Noa and Mozasu, portrayed by Kim Kang-hoon and Eunseong Kwon respectively, bring distinct energies to the screen. Mozasu, full of vitality, zealously practices government-mandated drills, while Noa, circumspect and burdened, confronts the severe discrimination faced by Koreans in Japan. The generational contrast is further highlighted by Solomon’s encounter in 1989—a racially charged tirade from a Japanese bakery owner against his grandmother, Sunja (Yoon Yuh-Jung). Solomon’s desperate assertion, “I’m from Yale University,” underscores the paradoxical dynamics of continuity and change across the decades—captured through Jin Ha’s portrayal of Solomon as a man on the edge, striving for a fresh start amid professional ambitions.
The discomforting taunts from Noa’s classmates about his identity echo through Solomon’s own struggles decades later, providing a moving tableau of generations grappling with persistent issues of prejudice and identity. What fate awaits Solomon in this season remains a tantalizing mystery, particularly as his trajectory diverges more significantly from the novel’s narrative.
Highlighting the enduring relevancy of “Pachinko” is the character of Koh Hansu, a fish broker whose fateful relationship with Sunja sets the entire saga into motion. Lee Min-ho, in a career-best role, imbued Hansu with nuance and enigmatic charm, particularly showcased in the previous season’s dedicated episode set against the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake backdrop. Hansu’s omnipresence continues to cast a critical influence over Sunja’s life, an incorporation that adds depth and layered complexity to the storytelling.
Showrunner Soo Hugh has often emphasized the universality of the themes in “Pachinko”—love, loss, grief, and survival—and this essence is retained in the new season. The first episode of season two manages to maintain the show’s strength, steering clear of indulgent melodrama in favor of restrained, poignant storytelling. The vast canvas and grand scale remain, serving as the perfect stage for the unfolding drama, which promises to be as affecting and engrossing as before. With aspirations high, the audience eagerly anticipates the seamless continuation of this multi-generational narrative.
The second season of “Pachinko” is now streaming on Apple TV+, with new episodes releasing every Friday.
