As a fervent admirer of the captivating performances in Apple TV+’s Pachinko, I find myself particularly drawn to Jin Ha’s portrayal of Solomon. His connection to the character, as he himself admitted, is not just a professional one; it’s deeply personal, reflecting his own immigrant journey from Korea to America.
In the upcoming season of “Pachinko,” which airs on Apple TV+ and features Jin Ha portraying Solomon, the actor reflects on his earlier statements about identifying with the character. As Solomon embarks on a new personal journey in Season 2, Jin Ha revisits his past comments to see if anything has shifted since then. Based on Min Jin Lee’s novel of the same name, “Pachinko” follows Kim Sunja and the Baek family across six decades, from their emigration from Korea to Japan in the 1930s to the younger generation flourishing in the 1980s. Jin Ha, who was born in Korea but moved to America as a child, found it easy to relate to Solomon’s mentality. In fact, he went so far as to claim that if he hadn’t become an actor, Solomon would have been the person he himself would have become.
During an interview with Jin Ha and Pachinko’s showrunner, Soo Hugh, MovieWeb asked the actor to discuss his previous relationship with Solomon. As Season 2 delves deeper into the character, we gain fresh insights into Solomon. After spending decades climbing the corporate ladder in America, Solomon experiences a job loss during an assignment in Japan in Season 1. In contrast, Season 2 shows Solomon developing assertiveness and ruthlessness as a businessman, while wrestling with moral dilemmas and the demands of his grandmother, Sunja (portrayed by Youn Yuh-jung in her older years).
Jin Ha noted that the truth he felt in Season 2’s storyline was still resonating with him. In this part of the series, his character is dealing with an increased burden of the mental and emotional weight associated with the expectations or aspirations passed down through generations.
“The path he’s walking seems remarkably familiar to me, much like my own journey when I immigrated here at around seven or eight years old, under vastly distinct conditions. Yet, it remains a significant part of my personal history. I often grapple with understanding my place in this country, as an Asian American and a Korean American. Born in Korea but raised primarily in America, I question where I belong and where I don’t.”
What Happened in Pachinko Season 1?
In Pachinko, I find myself deeply immersed in the tale of the Baek family, primarily through the perspective of Sunja, who serves as both the narrative and emotional heart of the story. The series unfolds as we follow young Sunja (portrayed brilliantly by Minha Kim) on her journey from Korea to Japan, where she begins a new life with her husband Isak (Steve Sang-Hyun Noh) and son Noa (Park Jae-joon), who was conceived with her first love, Hansu (Lee Min-ho). The narrative then leaps between the 1930s and the 1980s, offering a glimpse into the life of a much older Sunja (Youn Yuh-jung) as she watches her children and grandchildren carve out their own paths.
Regardless of the unique situations portrayed in Pachinko, its underlying theme resonates universally. The series thoughtfully contrasts the struggles encountered by earlier generations during the early 20th century with those experienced by later generations in the 1980s. The relentless battle for survival and sustenance faced by young Sunja is vividly contrasted against the serene beauty of the Korean countryside and the uncomplicated lifestyle.
In the bustling cityscape of Tokyo during the 1980s, people led a more comfortable existence, striving not just to survive but to prosper amidst the relentless corporate world. This backdrop serves as the stage for Solomon’s story, where he grapples with his emotions regarding his grandmother’s past. He acknowledges her struggles and the hardships she faced, yet yearns for a life that isn’t constantly overshadowed by guilt and compassion for his grandmother’s difficult upbringing.
The second season of “Pachinko” will debut on Apple TV+ on August 23, 2024. Fresh episodes will be made available each week.
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2024-08-18 05:04