"Pachinko" continues it's second season with emotional crescendo on Apple TV+

August 23, 2024

Courtesy: Apple TV+

The highly anticipated second season of Pachinko debuts on Friday, August 23, on Apple TV+. With new episodes premiering every Friday through the finale on October 11, 2024, the eight one-hour episodes promise to be an emotional continuation of the multi-generational saga of a Korean immigrant family.

Created by Soo Hugh and adapted from the New York Times bestseller 2017 novel by Min Jin Lee, Pachinko is directed by Kogonada and Justin Chon. The first season, hailed for its stellar acting, cinematography, production values, and designs, was released on Apple TV+ on March 25, 2022. It tells the multi-generational story of a Korean family with interconnecting timelines and characters who immigrated to Japan and encountered discrimination in their quest for a better future from 1915 through 1989.

The ensemble cast includes Soji Arai, Jin Ha, Jun-woo Han, In-ji Jeong, Eun-chae Jung, Min-ha Kim, Lee Min-ho, Kaho Minami, Steve Sang-Hyun Noh, Anna Sawai, Jimmi Simpson, Yuh-jung Youn, Jeon Yu-na, and Sungkyu Kim.

Courtesy: Apple TV+

The first season chronicles the life story of Kim Sunja (Minha Kim), a journey that begins with her childhood, first love, and heartbreak in two different timelines. From her relationship with Hansu (Lee Minho) to an unexpected pregnancy that led to marriage with Isak (Steve Sanghyun Noh), the series takes us through her survival during World War II in Japan and her life in 1989 Japan as an older Sunja (Academy Award winner Yuh-jung Youn).

In season 2 (with fantastic opening credits with the cast dancing to 1969 "Wait a Million Years"), seven years have passed since season 1, when we last saw Sunja in 1938, selling kimchi with supplies and food in short supply. We get older versions of Sunja's two sons as her storyline continues with the ramifications of the war and shows her struggle to provide for her family.

Courtesy: Apple TV+

At its heart, Pachinko is a love letter to the human spirit and a testament to its strength. The series is a masterpiece, with its emotional beats and nuances escalating to deeply moving storytelling that leaves viewers feeling hopeful even through despair. Pachinko deserves all the accolades it has previously received and hopefully will continue to receive.

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Watch the trailer below:

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Pachinko is currently streaming on AppleTV+