Pachinko is an epic historical saga set in Asia. It explores the lives of a Korean family over four generations, highlighting their fight for survival in two nations, Korea and Japan.
This ongoing series (2022-onwards) from the USA is based on the “Pachinko” (2017) novel by author Min Jin Lee. It focuses on the Korean immigrants, who had migrated to Japan.
“Pachinko” – This Historical Asian Saga Won Our Heart With An Honest Portrayal Of Koreans Who Immigrated To Japan
Spoiler Free Review: Pachinko (Season 1/2022 & Season 2/2024) Series
The trailers
The synopsis
Pachinko offers a sweeping and emotionally charged story of love and survival across four generations, as seen through the eyes of the extraordinary matriarch, Kim Sunja (Minha Kim & Youn Yuh-Jung) in the show. Thus, spanning almost a century-long period from Korea to Japan, this narrative traces the journey of a single immigrant family across four generations, highlighting their experiences of marriages, betrayals, births, deaths and more.
Season one of this comprehensive period drama narrates the dreams and aspirations of a Korean immigrant family as they journey from their homeland in a relentless endeavour to endure and flourish in the changing world, especially Japan. This historical multi-generational saga is set against the backdrop of 1910 to 1989, as it explores a timeline that includes the Japanese occupation of Korea and the tumultuous period of World War II.
Later, in season two of the historical drama series, the parallel narratives resume in Osaka in 1945, where Kim Sunja (Minha Kim) is compelled to make life-threatening decisions for her family’s survival during World War II, and in Tokyo in 1989, where Solomon Baek (Jin Ha) is exploring new, humble beginnings.
The lives of these Korean immigrants are shaped by forbidden love, the sacrifices they are compelled to make, their enduring resilience, and the moral challenges they encounter, along with a multitude of trials and tribulations.
The title
Pachinko, which has its roots in Japan, is a mechanical game that functions as both an arcade entertainment option and, more significantly, as a gambling apparatus. In the context of Japanese gambling, Pachinko plays a role similar to that of slot machines in Western societies, providing a gambling experience characterized by low stakes and minimal strategic involvement.
Pachinko title in Japanese is パチンコ and in Korean is 파친코, respectively.
The book was initially titled Motherland, and it changed to Pachinko because nearly every Korean-Japanese person I interviewed or researched was somehow related (either intimately or very distantly) to the pachinko business, one of the very few businesses Koreans were allowed to work in or have an ownership interest.
Author Min Jin Lee | Chicago Review Of Book
The pachinko business, a multi-billion dollar industry with double the export revenues of the Japanese automobile industry, is often viewed with great suspicion and contempt by middle class Japanese. However, one out of every eleven Japanese adults plays pachinko regularly, and there is at least one pachinko parlor in every train station and shopping street in Japan. Pachinko is a game of chance and manipulation, and I was interested in this gambling business as a metaphor.
It is an epic multi-generational historical tale
We loved the heart-touching epic multi-generational historical tale of the Pachinko series. It was inspiring to watch the story of the brave and remarkable matriarch, Kim Sunja (Minha Kim & Youn Yuh-Jung) unfolding in front of our eyes. Her character graph is exceptional. She was born into a poor family in a remote village in Korea, which was a Japanese colony in that era. But with her sheer grit and innate determination, she rose to prosperity.
The presence of actress Anna Sawai {in acclaimed Shōgun (2024) Mini-Series} was a plesant surprise for us.
The entire ensemble cast is great to watch
Young actress Minha Kim (Young Sunja) leads the way with her heartrending performance. In almost all scenes, her expressive eyes steal the show. But then, veteran actress Youn Yuh-Jung (Older Sunja) is equally profound with her portrayal of a street-smart and intelligent grande dame. While watching Youn Yuh-Jung on screen, you can feel that she has lived and experienced so much in her life; just like her character Shunja.
The rest of the ensemble cast is impressive too. Allow us to name a bunch of them, viz., Lee Min-Ho (Koh Hansu), Jin Ha (Solomon Baek), Soji Arai (Baek Mozasu), Jimmi Simpson (Tom Andrews), Jung Eun-Chae (Baek Kyung-Hee/Choi Kyung-Hee), Anna Sawai (Naomi), Inji Jeong (Yangjin), Han Joon-Woo (Baek Yoseb), etc.
The ratings
| Season (1) One | 4.15/5 |
| Season (2) Two | 4.20/5 |
The conclusion
These days, such kinds of stratified storytelling are rare. It is a well-made must-watch show with many multi-layered stories involving several characters existing in different years.
Key details
| Genre | Drama, History, Period Drama |
| Original Languages | Korean, Japanese and English |
| Seasons | First (S1) Season – 2022 Second (S2) Season – 2024 Total = Two (2) Seasons |
| Episodes | Eight (8) Episodes each in Two (2) Seasons Total = Sixteen (16) Episodes |
| Creator | Soo Hugh |
| Directors | Justin Chon & Kogonada (2022) Arvin Chen, Sang-il Lee & Leanne Welham (2024) |
| Cast | Minha Kim (Young Sunja), Youn Yuh-Jung (Older Sunja), Lee Min-Ho (Koh Hansu), Jin Ha (Solomon Baek), Soji Arai (Baek Mozasu), Jimmi Simpson (Tom Andrews), Jung Eun-Chae (Baek Kyung-Hee/Choi Kyung-Hee), Anna Sawai (Naomi), Inji Jeong (Yangjin), Han Joon-Woo (Baek Yoseb), Steve Sanghyun Noh (Isak), Louis Ozawa (Mamoru Yoshii), Kim Sungkyu (Kim Chang-Ho), Jun Kunimura (Kato), Park Hye-Jin (Han Geum-Ja), Kim Kang-Hoon (Noa), etc. |
| Network | Apple TV+ |
Spoilers Alert: Episodes Summary
Episodes Summary of the Season (S1) One
First Episode – Chapter One (S1, E1)
In 1920s Korea, Yangjin and Hoonie shield their only child, Sunja, from the realities of life under colonial rule. In 1989, Solomon closed a big deal.
Second Episode – Chapter Two (S1, E2)
Hansu opens Sunja’s eyes to the world, but it inspires dreams that come at a price. Solomon attempts to leverage his Korean identity.
Third Episode – Chapter Three (S1, E3)
Sunja discovers surprising new details about Hansu; Solomon looks to his grandmother for help.
Fourth Episode – Chapter Four (S1, E4)
Newlywed Sunja embarks on a journey that takes her far from the comforts of home. Solomon gets ready for his big day.
Fifth Episode – Chapter Five (S1, E5)
As she arrives in Japan with her husband, Sunja must depend on the help of others. Solomon copes with the aftermath of his deal.
Sixth Episode – Chapter Six (S1, E6)
Sunja goes into premature labour; Isak grapples with a political awakening; Solomon finds Hana, his long-lost love.
Seventh Episode – Chapter Seven (S1, E7)
As a young man in 1923 Yokohama, Hansu is thrown into a cataclysmic disaster that will change everything.
Eight Episode – Chapter Eight (S1, E8)
Sunja learns that Isak has been arrested and searches for him with the aid of her young son. Solomon makes a fateful decision.
Episodes Summary of the Season (S2) Two
First Episode – Chapter Nine (S2, E1)
World War II forces Sunja to make decisions for her family’s survival; pushed to the edge, Solomon takes a stand.
Second Episode – Chapter Ten (S2, E2)
The family reunites with a loved one and confronts a harsh reality; Solomon makes a discovery that could prove beneficial.
Third Episode – Chapter Eleven (S2, E3)
Sunja and the children flee Osaka only to find their new location has its challenges. Solomon’s past leads him to new beginnings.
Fourth Episode – Chapter Twelve (S2, E4)
As new relationships blossom, a tragedy threatens to destroy everything; Sunja meets a close friend of Solomon’s.
Fifth Episode – Chapter Thirteen (S2, E5)
The family’s fight for survival begins anew as WWII reaches the home front; a surprise figure thwarts Solomon’s perfect plan.
Sixth Episode – Chapter Fourteen (S2, E6)
Five years after the war has ended, Hansu is at the top of the criminal underworld but his riches come at a great price.
Seventh Episode – Chapter Fifteen (S2, E7)
Mr. Kim faces a difficult choice between the woman he loves and his homeland; both Solomon and Mozasu execute ruthless plans.
Eight Episode – Chapter Sixteen (S2, E8)
Noa uncovers the truth; Solomon learns of an old enemy’s fate; Sunja must decide between her past and her future.
The posters
The awards won in 2022
| Awards Names | Awards Winners |
|---|---|
| Gold Derby Awards | Drama Series – 2022 Winner Gold Derby TV Award Lee Min-Ho – 2022 Winner Gold Derby TV Award – Drama Actor Youn Yuh-Jung – 2022 Winner Gold Derby TV Award – Drama Supporting Actress |
| Pena de Prata | Youn Yuh-Jung – 2022 Winner Pena de Prata – Best Acting in an Underrated Drama Series |
| Gotham Awards | Breakthrough Series – Longform – 2022 Winner Gotham Independent Film Award – Michael Ellenberg, Soo Hugh, Justin Chon, Kogonada, Richard Middleton, Theresa Kang, Lindsey Springer |
| Unforgettable Gala | Minha Kim – 2022 Winner Asian American Award – Breakout in TV Soji Arai, Minha Kim, Theresa Kang – 2022 Winner Asian American Award – Vanguard |
| Humanitas Prize | 2022 Winner Humanitas Prize – Drama Teleplay – Soo Hugh – Episode: “Chapter One” |
| Critics Choice Awards Celebration of Cinema & Television | Soo Hugh – 2022 Winner Showrunner Award – Asian Pacific Cinema and Television |
| TV Scholar Awards | Youn Yuh-Jung – 2022 Winner TV Scholar Award – Best Supporting Performance in a Drama |
| “An Irish Person” TV Awards | Outstanding Drama Series – 2022 Winner An Irish Person Award 2022 Winner An Irish Person Award – Outstanding Main Titles Design – Angus Wall & Nadia Tzuo |
| ReFrame | 2022 Winner ReFrame Stamp – IMDbPro Top 200 Most Popular TV Titles 2021-2022 |
The nominations
| Awards Names | Nominations Names |
|---|---|
| BAFTA Awards | 2023 Nominee BAFTA TV Award – International |
Although, this show was nominated by many popular Awards, we have mentioned only one here.
The awards won in 2023
| Awards Names | Awards Winners |
|---|---|
| AFI Awards, USA | 2023 Winner AFI Award – TV Program of the Year |
| Critics Choice Awards | Best Foreign Language Series – 2023 Winner Critics Choice Award |
| Art Directors Guild | 2023 Winner Excellence in Production Design Award – One-Hour Period Single-Camera Series |
| Film Independent Spirit Awards | Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series – 2023 Winner Independent Spirit Award – Soji Arai, Jin Ha, Inji Jeong, Minha Kim, Kaho Minami, Lee Min-Ho, Steve Sanghyun Noh, Anna Sawai, Jimmi Simpson, Youn Yuh-Jung |
| Peabody Awards | 2023 Winner Peabody Award – Entertainment – Lee Min-Ho, Soji Arai, Jin Ha, Minha Kim, Youn Yuh-Jung, Justin Chon, Kogonada, Soo Hugh, E.J. Koh, Min Jin Lee, Franklin Jin Rho, Mfoniso Udofia, Lauren Yee, Lynne Bespflug, Seon Kwon Hwang, Yuka Kato |
Featured Image of Minha Kim (Young Sunja)
Posters, Featured and Other Images of Pachinko (Season 1/2022 & Season 2/2024) Asian Series are credited to Apple TV+.