“Pachinko” tells the story of one Korean family across four generations, from 1915 to 1989, and it earns its ambition through sheer force of will. The Apple TV+ drama, created by Soo Hugh and adapted from Min Jin Lee’s 2017 novel, follows Sunja (Kim Min-ha as young, Youn Yuh-jung as older) as she leaves her family in Korea under Japanese rule to move to Osaka’s Koreatown in 1931.
Trailer, via Apple TV.
Sunja’s Journey
Sunja’s departure sets the engine of the series. She moves to Japan to start a new life, and the show tracks her living conditions and the discrimination she faces in Japanese society. Her son, Solomon (Jin Ha), grows up in that world, while her grandson, Isak (Steve Sanghyun Noh), carries the family story forward into later decades.
The cast is led by Youn Yuh-jung as the older Sunja and Kim Min-ha as the younger one, with Jin Ha giving Solomon a quiet dignity that anchors the middle years of the saga. The series also features Lee Min-ho as Hansu, Jimmi Simpson as Tom Andrews, and Jung Eun-chae as Young Kyunghee, among others.
What Works
The show is at its best when it slows down and lets character breathe. Sunja’s relationship with Mozasu (Soji Arai) and her son Solomon are the emotional center of the first season, and the writing treats their grief, jealousy, and love with a restraint that pays off over time. The production design and cinematography do the rest, grounding the family in specific places — the cramped rooms of Osaka, the neon-lit streets of Tokyo, the quiet farms of rural Japan.
Where It Strains
The second season, which premiered August 23, 2024, stretches the timeline further, and some viewers found the pace uneven. The narrative jumps between generations, and the shift from Sunja’s era to her grandson’s can feel abrupt. Still, the show holds together as a portrait of a family that survives, again and again, through loss and hardship.
Key Facts
- Premiere: Season 1, March 25, 2022
- Season 2 premiere: August 23, 2024
- Network: Apple TV+
- Creator: Soo Hugh
- Based on: Min Jin Lee’s 2017 novel
Running Order
| Season | Premiere |
|---|---|
| 1 | March 25, 2022 |
| 2 | August 23, 2024 |
Final Word
“Pachinko” is not perfect, but it is essential viewing for anyone interested in immigrant stories told with scale and humanity. The series spans decades, countries, and generations, and it never loses sight of the people at its center. That is a rare achievement.
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