Pachinko (Television Series)

Pachinko is a television drama series released on Apple TV+ that chronicles the lives of a Korean family across four generations. The series is based on the 2017 novel of the same name by Min Jin Lee. The narrative explores themes of identity, displacement, and resilience as the characters navigate life in Korea and Japan throughout the 20th century.

Production and Development

The series was developed for television by Soo Hugh. Directing duties were shared by Kogonada and Justin Chon. The first season, consisting of eight episodes, premiered on March 25, 2022, and concluded on April 29, 2022.

Plot Summary

The story begins in the early 20th century in Busan, Korea, during the period of Japanese rule. It follows Kim Sun-Ja, who becomes involved with a wealthy man named Koh Han-Su. After discovering his complex background, she eventually marries a church priest named Baek Isak and relocates to Japan. The narrative also shifts to 1989 in New York, where her grandson, Baek Solomon, works in the corporate sector and returns to Tokyo to facilitate a land deal, reconnecting with his family's history.

Cast

The series features an ensemble cast portraying characters across different timelines:

• Kim Min-Ha as young Kim Sun-Ja
• Youn Yuh-Jung as older Kim Sun-Ja
• Lee Min-Ho as Koh Han-Su
• Jin Ha as Baek Solomon
• Noh Sang-Hyun as Baek Isak
• Soji Arai as Baek Mozasu
• Anna Sawai as Naomi Ichizaki