Already there has been an abundance of fervently anticipated TV shows released in 2024. But when expectations are high, there is a greater risk of disappointment. Apple TV+’s adaptation of Min Jin Lee’s bestselling novel debuted to critical acclaim in 2022, and the eagerness for Pachinko’s second season has been expressed prolifically since then. Creator Soo Hugh set herself a high bar.
Fans will be pleased to know that the poignant intergenerational saga has only gotten more epic and heart-wrenching. Over eight episodes, we experience both the hard-earned triumphs and the immense grief that assail the Baek family as Korean immigrants in Japan: “We are in a fight for our very own existence.”
Season two resumes in 1945 Osaka, as World War II looms ever closer to Sunja and her family. Suffering amid widespread food shortages, she reluctantly accepts help from her former lover Koh Hansu (Lee Min-ho) whose timely aid distances them from immediate danger but leaves them vulnerable to his possessive grip. Juxtaposed with 1989 Tokyo, elderly Sunja feels increasingly alienated by the huge economic developments and lingering anti-Korean sentiments in the country, while her grandson, Baek Soloman (Jin Ha) schemes revenge on his former client Abe Katsu (Yoshio Maki).
“The things left unsaid are perhaps more truthful than what is said aloud.” This line alone is evidence of the script’s emotive eloquence, no doubt largely thanks to Soo Hugh who returns as a writer. Young Mozasu’s mix of Korean and Japanese is nothing short of genius, encapsulating the Baek’s battle to hold on to their identity despite facing heavy discrimination.
Winning Best Ensemble Cast at the 2023 Independent Spirit Awards, Pachinko continues to showcase its excellent array of talented actors. There is not a single weak performance. Youn Yuh-jung and Kim Min-ha’s portrayals of the selfless Kim Sunja are captivating. While Kim imbues Sunja with maternal resilience, Youn’s Sunja is extremely contemplative and has mellowed with age and security. The phrase ‘eyes are the windows to the soul’ seems made just for her, as she conveys such complex emotions through subtle expressions. Kim Sung-kyu, who plays Hansu’s obedient lieutenant, and Jung Eun-chae, as the dutiful Kyunghee, deserve high praise for their depiction of the pair’s intense yet impossible bond. Their poorly concealed torment and desire ripple across their faces, diffusing second-hand heartbreak through the screen.
Clothing is crucial to Pachinko’s visual storytelling. Hansu’s tailored suits are his armour, bolstering his persona as a wealthy elite to defensively elevate himself above the abuse faced by other Zainichi Koreans. This severely contrasts with his patriotic father-in-law, who resents Hansu’s collaboration with the ‘beastly Americans.’ Representing the dwindling presence of anachronistic conduct in Japan, his kimono sags loosely against his withering body. This wider change is also seen through Sunja’s wardrobe which gradually transitions into western-style clothing, her hanboks replaced with modest skirts and cardigans.
The elaborate set design convincingly immerses the audience in the period. Even the smallest details are meticulously considered: the sliding shoji screens with patched-up paper windows and newspapers that plaster the walls inside the Baek’s Osaka home. These small additions enhance the realism and make all the locations feel truly lived in.
The camera work is thoughtful and succeeds in producing compelling images such as aerial views of lush valleys, lingering shots of lanterns drifting downstream, and fog lightly caressing a body of water. The Japanese countryside’s expanse and serenity are shot in direct opposition to the dirty, claustrophobic city life. Pachinko’s masterful cinematography is also heavily symbolic, capturing an overhead shot of students’ bustling heads, the youth advancing toward their future, and a body gushing blood into a koi pond, representing Japanese nationalist’s hopes being dead in the water.
Pachinko’s new season doesn’t waste a second, nevermind an episode. While it has a wide historical scope, Pachinko personalises these huge events through the family’s domestic life — which is incredibly moving. From the beginning, the show grasps your heart tightly, as you watch the Baeks strive to better their fortune and are forced to make agonising decisions for the good of their family. By the finale, it’s clear that this tender masterpiece is a strong contender for the best show of 2024.
Pachinko Season 2 premieres August 23 on Apple TV+
