While there has been some criticism of the Apple TV+ library and certain series have been viewed as self-centered and pretentious, Pachinko is not one of them. After a stellar debut season, the series returns after a two-year absence and demonstrates the power of storytelling through its beautiful and meticulous portrayal of a family in crisis.
Pachinko Showrunner and writer Soo Hugh (The killing), in this adaptation of Min Jin Lee’s bestselling novel, has masterfully woven together themes so deep you could almost call it a drama of decadence. The show tackles provocative topics such as cultural trauma, identity, social class, and perhaps the most important theme of all: resilience.
Pachinko returns to its story, focusing on both past and present timelines. The series makes a significant leap by shifting the past from 1915 to 1945, during Japan’s involvement in World War II. The storylines seamlessly immerse the viewer in the fear-filled atmosphere of the time, where the mere mention of a character living in a city like Nagasaki evokes a sense of impending, ominous doom.
Discrimination against the Korean community in Japan remains at an all-time high, and the war only exacerbates the situation. Sunja (the wonderful Minha Kim), still raising her two teenage sons, Noa (Kim Kang-hoon) and Mozasu (Eunseong Kwon), moves her family to the countryside to escape the bombings, an eye-opening scene that takes the family’s story back to its humble beginnings.
If we jump 44 years later to 1989, Salomon (Civil War Jin Ha) is still in Tokyo, steering the region’s financial boom. While some may frown upon this story arc, others will find it fascinating. Solomon represents his family’s sacrifice to give him an education and a better life. Jin Ha’s character is a remarkable example of the reintroduction of Western education and influence into Eastern culture.
This plot involves a cutthroat real estate deal that could have serious consequences for his relationship with his girlfriend Naomi (Shogun’s Anna Sawai). While this plot obviously fails when compared to the Japanese landscape during World War II, which does a phenomenal job of transporting the viewer to another time and place, that doesn’t make it any less important to the equally important overall narrative.
Pachinko is a stunning series – a historical epic that, despite its ambitious scope, never loses its incredible emotional impact. From Nico Muhly’s emotive and deeply impactful score to Florian Hoffmeister and Ante Cheng’s visually rich cinematography, and the heartbreaking and poignant performances of Minha Kim and Oscar winner Youn Yuh-jung, Pachinko is unlike any other television series, streaming or network.
Pachinko is a deeply engaging series that should be enjoyed for its emotional depth and rich storytelling. It does what only the very best films or series can do by transporting you to another time and place and then addressing modern issues that we still grapple with today.
You can now watch the second season of Pachinko on Apple TV+!
What do you think of Pachinko Season 2? Let us know in the comments below!
