Any time a beloved book is adapted for the screen, debates and discussions follow suit. The magic encapsulated within the pages often sparks questions: Does the show or the film manage to capture the essence of the book? Are the characters portrayed as readers imagined them to be? Above all, does the adaptation stay true to its source material, preserving the plotlines set in ink?
Min Jin Lee’s celebrated novel, “Pachinko,” carries the weight of these questions as its TV series adaptation returns for a second season. Season one made noticeable creative deviations, most prominently abandoning the book’s linear narrative. Instead, it opted for a dual timeline, focusing simultaneously on protagonist Sunja in the past and her grandson Solomon Baek in the present.
We had the chance to sit down with Soo Hugh, the showrunner for “Pachinko,” and Jin Ha, who brings Solomon Baek to life on screen. “What was most interesting in the writers’ room for this season was Jin Ha’s Solomon,” Soo Hugh remarks, pointing to her star. “We had covered most of Solomon’s storyline from the book in season one, so our challenge was to advance his story arc further for season two. For the narrative set in the past, centered on Sunja, we still relied heavily on the strong foundation provided by the book.”
Hugh, whose filmography includes acclaimed shows like “The Terror,” “The Whispers,” and “The Killing,” plays multiple roles in “Pachinko.” Since its debut in 2022, she has been credited as the showrunner, executive producer, writer, and visionary responsible for adapting the beloved novel.
In the first season, Solomon is portrayed as navigating a career shift from the US to Japan. There, he grapples with ideals of fairness and identity struggles. While he excels in finance, he is also a son and grandson in a family that takes immense pride in his Ivy League education and professional success. Season two unravels a more disillusioned Solomon, who becomes increasingly aware of the complexities and political challenges involved in his chosen path. He begins to better understand his place in the world and comes to terms with his identity.
“We were sort of on a cliff’s edge with the present-day storyline.
. Solomon’s arc is both subtle and dramatic, a balancing act that presented our biggest challenge,” Soo Hugh explains. “We constantly asked ourselves what we could do with him, envisioning his narrative threads.”
One memorable scene from season one involves Solomon running into the rain after a significant encounter at work. He serendipitously meets his colleague, Naomi, and dances freely in front of street musicians. The scene underscores the multifaceted nature of his character.
Jin Ha views the role as a profound gift, attributing much of it to the rich source material from Min Jin Lee’s novel. Describing season two as a “blazing new story,” Jin Ha relishes the chance to forge a new path for Solomon while staying true to the book’s broader narrative. He speaks of a newfound freedom in the second season where the cast and crew must now take full ownership of Solomon’s journey without the detailed guidelines of the novel.
“Pachinko,” filmed in Japanese, Korean, and English, chronicles four generations of a Korean immigrant family grappling with themes of love, loss, grief, and survival. Soo Hugh previously emphasized the universal appeal and emotional depth of the story, noting how it resonates with audiences far and wide.
Regarding the historical significance of “Pachinko,” Soo Hugh acknowledges its universal story that transcends boundaries and time periods, revealing an often unfamiliar history. “The fact that we are thousands of miles apart, yet are discussing characters that feel so universal, highlights the story’s importance,” she says. For her, narratives like “Pachinko” make the world feel smaller, kinder, and more humane. She draws parallel comparisons, expressing a keen interest in stories with similar cultural significance, whether they originate from Korea, India, or elsewhere.
As season two of “Pachinko” begins streaming on Apple TV+ from August 23, fans eagerly anticipate how these expanded narratives will continue to explore and enrich the lives of the multi-generational characters introduced in the first season. The journey promises to be as compelling and heart-wrenching as what was initially painted in words by Min Jin Lee.
