As someone who has followed the journey of the Baek family through Min Jin Lee’s novel and now the Apple TV+ drama “Pachinko,” I can confidently say that this show has become more than just a series for me – it’s a profound exploration of resilience, identity, and the indomitable human spirit. The second season further expands on the rich tapestry of this family saga, seamlessly blending historical events with personal struggles in a way that feels both authentic and captivating.
When adapting Min Jin Lee’s popular novel for Apple TV+ drama “Pachinko”, showrunner Soo Hugh and her team made a number of creative choices to give the series its unique personality. One key change was dividing the narrative into two timeframes, contrasting the generations of the Baek family – Koreans living in Japan before World War II, often referred to as Zainichi Koreans – separated by about fifty years. “Pachinko” primarily used Japanese and Korean dialogue, with color-coded subtitles to differentiate the languages and depict how the younger Baeks mixed them as a means of adapting to their surroundings.
As a movie enthusiast, I found “Pachinko” to be remarkably true to its roots, opting against the more popular route of condensing Lee’s story into a limited series. Unlike other adaptations that seem to stretch their content like “The Handmaid’s Tale,” this show required the extended treatment of multiple seasons, which it delivered beautifully. The first season stands among Apple’s finest original productions, with its rich period detail and heart-wrenching portrayal of the Baek family, who were swept up by forces beyond their control – forces such as colonization, conflict, and racism. Despite its exceptional quality, “Pachinko” seemed to fly under the radar. While shows like “The Morning Show,” with its star power and outlandish plot twists, garnered attention, the more subtle “Pachinko” earned just a single Emmy nomination for its captivating opening credits.
In its second season, the show “Pachinko” diverges even more from the original book. This change is both unavoidable and necessitated, particularly in the latter part set in 1989 that aligns exactly with Lee’s plan as revealed in the Season 1 finale, which aired back in spring 2022. It’s important to acknowledge the impressive work done by Hugh and their team, who faithfully adapt Lee’s intricately crafted characters and expansive historical context while simultaneously adding their unique touch to the Baek family storyline.
The significant occurrence during this period, much like many parts of the world in the mid-1900s, is a worldwide war that marked Japan’s extreme form of nationalism – an ideology particularly harsh towards individuals such as Sunja (Minha Kim), a young Korean woman who finds herself in Osaka with two sons to look after and her husband, gentle preacher Isak (Steve Sang-Hyun Noh), jailed. To support the family, Isak’s brother Yoseb (Junwoo Han) has accepted work at a weapons factory in Nagasaki. The foreknowledge of what is about to strike that city gives an air of apprehension to the early part of the season, on top of the food shortages and scarcity that leave Sunja, an aspiring chef, unable to sell anything.
In this series, Kim masterfully portrays Sunja’s transformation from an innocent village girl to a hardened woman accustomed to life’s harsh realities. Along with skillful contributions from the hair and makeup departments, Kim seamlessly ages Sunja over the years, making us feel as if we’ve spent almost two decades with her. This season introduces more depth to Sunja’s sons, Noa (Kang Hoon Kim) and Mozasu (Eunseong Kwon). While Noa is introverted, thoughtful, and dedicated to upholding family values, Mozasu is outspoken, energetic, and openly defies the discrimination he faces at school due to his Korean heritage.
The series “Pachinko” expands its television landscape by developing the character of Koh Hansu (played by Lee Minho), a Korean fish trader transformed into a power player in the Japanese underworld who is also Noa’s biological father, as a co-lead. Lee, a prominent actor in Korea, possesses the charisma of a matinee idol that makes Koh an intriguing romantic interest, despite his descent into a violent and morally compromised world. The historically accurate costumes designed by Kyung-hwa Chae add to the authenticity of the character.
In this narrative, focusing on Sunja’s grandson Solomon (played by Jin Ha), the storyline becomes increasingly challenging to expand beyond the present timeline. The flashbacks, reminiscent of a stone skimming across a lake, can effortlessly jump ahead through time. However, Solomon’s story remains anchored in the immediate consequences following his departure from the fictional bank Shiffley’s, after a failed land deal. An older Korean woman’s reluctance to sell her property stirs up Solomon’s hidden feelings about his birth country, adding depth to his character. Scenes set in the ’80s, although less complex, provide Anna Sawai with an engaging continuation of her role from “Shõgun”, portraying Solomon’s former colleague Naomi, with whom he develops a romantic relationship.
Solomon’s endeavor to reclaim his professional respect underscores the recurring pattern of intergenerational pain. As an adult, Mozasu (Soji Arai) explains to his mother that “Life is always challenging, no matter the era.” The elderly Sunja, winner of an Oscar for “Minari”, struggles to grasp why Solomon continues to struggle when she has given so much to ease his path compared to hers. However, Solomon finds himself repeating many of the same hardships as his forefathers due to societal prejudice, which nudges him into less esteemed professions and compels him to defy expectations set by his oppressors. The past’s influence is never severed, a concept further emphasized through the elderly Sunja’s budding relationship with another individual who, like herself, grapples with the consequences of their past actions.
In the second season of “Pachinko”, there are numerous heartrending climaxes, each more emotional than the one preceding it. Despite dealing with tragic deaths, ill-fated romances, and catastrophic events, the show manages to steer clear of melodrama, maintaining a genuine and moving quality throughout. “Pachinko” is undeniably a testament of deep affection, evident in its portrayal of intricate family relationships as well as the monumental task of creating a dual-timeline epic. Like Sunja, who yearns for her descendants to thrive independently, Season 2 respects and expands upon its predecessor’s foundations.
I’m thrilled to share that I’ve just watched the premiere of “Pachinko” Season 2, and it’s now available for streaming on Apple TV+. Each subsequent episode will be released weekly, so mark your calendars for every Friday!
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2024-08-23 17:17