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- Pachinko Is a Generational Story
- The Overwhelming Critical Praise for Pachinko
- What to Look Forward to in Pachinko Season 2
As a history enthusiast and someone who has always been fascinated by untold stories, I can’t help but be utterly captivated by “Pachinko.” Having missed out on Season 1 due to its release during a busy period, I was thrilled to finally catch up with Sunja’s journey. It’s not often that a TV show manages to strike the perfect balance between personal stories and historical context, but “Pachinko” does it effortlessly.
On August 23, 2024, the second season of the overlooked historical drama “Pachinko” premieres on Apple TV+. This Korean series, adapted from Min Jin Lee’s novel, follows four generations of Korean immigrants striving for a better life in Japan and New York, spanning from 1915 to 1989.
Acclaimed by critics yet not widely popular among the general public, Pachinko is essential viewing for those who appreciate historical biographies and character-driven dramas centered around immigrant experiences striving towards the American dream. With Season 2 recently released, it’s a perfect time to follow Kim Sunja and her descendants as they navigate oppression, expand their influence, and venture abroad in pursuit of their most ambitious dreams and aspirations.
Read Our Season 1 Review
Pachinko Is a Generational Story
“Pachinko” is an engaging TV series produced for Apple TV+ by Soo Hugh. This drama is adapted from the 2017 bestselling novel by Min Jin Lee. It revolves around Kim Sunja, portrayed as an adult by Youn Yuh-jung and as a young adult by Kim Minha, with Yu-na playing her younger self. The narrative follows Sunja’s journey, which begins in 1915 when she is compelled to move to Koreatown, Osaka, Japan. The storytelling method shifts between different time periods to present the saga of four generations within Sunja’s family.
1931 marks the beginning of a new life for Sunja in Osaka, away from her family in Korean territory under Japanese occupation. Fast forwarding to 1989 New York, the narrative centers around Solomon Baek (played by Jin Ha), Sunja’s grandson, a Yale graduate with entrepreneurial ambitions and fluency in English, chasing his dreams in New York City. Upon Solomon’s visit to Japan and meeting Sunja, he uncovers the struggles his ancestors faced to provide him with a brighter future.
During the experiences of Sunja’s upbringing and Solomon’s growth towards adulthood, the novel “Pachinko” delves into the life of Baek Mazasu (Soji Arai), who is both Sunja’s son and Solomon’s father. The title “Pachinko” symbolizes the Pachinko gaming machines owned by Baek, which have brought immense international wealth to their family. The narrative shifts between different time periods, painting a vivid image of a family struggling against racial prejudice and Japanese domination while striving for success. The seemingly minor instances among characters contribute to a larger, more powerful whole that transcends its individual parts.
The Overwhelming Critical Praise for Pachinko
The positive reviews for the show Pachinko have acted as its primary form of advertisement, garnering attention without much marketing effort from Apple TV+. In fact, it was featured in at least 14 top TV shows of 2022 lists across various media outlets like Entertainment Weekly, The Hollywood Reporter, Vulture, Slant, TV Insider, TV Guide, Rolling Stone, and TV Line, to name a few. Furthermore, it boasts a 98% Rotten Tomatoes rating and an 88% audience score, demonstrating broad acclaim from both critics and regular viewers. The consensus among critics is that the show is highly recommended.
“Gracefully blending complexity with intimacy, Pachinko is an expansive novel that beautifully portrays the ebb and flow of history while highlighting the unbreakable ties within a family.”
The show’s strength lies in portraying a deeply personal narrative amidst significant historical transformations. Through Sunja’s journey, we witness her family’s pursuit of a more prosperous life, which tragically involves suffering under Japanese colonizers post-war. The series sheds light on the largely overlooked sufferings of marginalized individuals in American history lessons, providing a somber yet inspiring insight into the Korean way of life during the 20th century.
Apart from the captivating narratives, the high-quality production clearly showcases the substantial investment made by Apple into this series. The program carries an epic, cinematic feel, whisking viewers on a journey through various time periods across the globe. We see Sunja as a young girl in 1910 Korea, where her spirited personality is stifled by a restrictive patriarchy. As a teenager, Sunja receives her father’s final words of hope for goodness, but soon encounters the brutal reality of Japanese occupation.
By the end of Season 2, Sunja has become fully adapted to life in New York while still holding onto her past. This show, with its blend of personal stories and broader historical perspective, stands out among most TV dramas as truly exceptional. If you missed Season 1, be sure to catch up on Sunja’s journey before diving into Season 2. Fans of “Minari” (starring the Oscar-winning Youn Yuh-jung) or Kogonada’s debut film, “Columbus,” will find themselves enchanted by “Pachinko.”
What to Look Forward to in Pachinko Season 2
Starting from August 23, 2024, Pachinko Season 2 delves into Sunja’s lineage and family history amidst World War II. The narrative resumes in Osaka, Japan in 1945 as WWII concludes. Post-war, Sunja is compelled to make heartrending compromises for her husband Isak (Steve Sang-Hyun Noh), who is imprisoned by Japanese authorities. With only the assistance of her sister-in-law Kyunghee (Jung Eun-Chae) and left to raise her two children on her own, Sunja must confront tough decisions that will shape the destiny of her family for years to come.
Season 2 of the series Pachinko delves into Korea’s stance during World War II, highlighting its resistance against Japan and China, and forging an alliance with the United States. Amidst the chaos of global conflict, the second season of this authentic historical drama follows Sunja and her family as they tenaciously strive to surmount adversity and achieve success both at home and abroad. In a heartwarming and inspiring tale of resilience and determination, Pachinko skillfully combines finely crafted characters, stunning visuals, and exceptional acting to present an intensely captivating historical narrative with remarkable emotional depth. You can stream Pachinko on Apple TV+.
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2024-08-31 02:31