Created by Soo Hugh
Written by Soo Hugh (1.01), Soo Hugh & Matthew J. McCue (1.02), and Honsol Jung & Soo Hugh (1.03)
Directed by Kogonada
Starring Youn Yuh-jung, Kim Min-ha, Jin Ha, Lee Min-ho
Episodes 1-6 now streaming on AppleTV+

by Jaime Davis, Staff Writer

“History has failed us, but no matter.” 

These words greet the reader at the beginning of Min Jin Lee’s Pachinko, an epic novel tracing the lives of one Korean family for almost an entire century. Following the family matriarch’s journey from Korea to Japan and, later, her grandson whose career calls him back to Japan from the United States, Pachinko is a modern marvel. History books don’t often teach about the oppression, violence, and racism Korean immigrants experienced at home and in Japan as a result of the latter’s occupation. But this is inconsequential. Lee’s book, and the subsequent adaptation currently streaming on AppleTV+, shows Koreans in Japan as proud survivors, not victims. 

Executive produced and directed by two of the most exciting directors today, Kogonada and Justin Chon, Pachinko’s adaptation lives up to the wonder of the novel. The writing team, led by series creator Soo Hugh, infuses each episode with the same poignancy, the same heartfelt emotion, contained within the novel. So far, I’m really loving reading while watching, but I already know I don’t want this show to end! Here are all the things I’m loving so far, in the first three episodes. 

My favorite things about Pachinko So Far: A List

So far it looks, like, absolutely beautiful (thanks, Kogonada).
Maybe you’ve watched After Yang and/or Columbus and you know about Kogonada’s precision and laser-sharp knack for interesting compositions. Or maybe you love his cinematic video essays. Either way, his work on Pachinko is equally stunning. He has such an affinity for nature, and in episodes 1 through 3, he infuses such spirit into the scenes in Sunja’s native Yeongdo, outside Busan. I’m super excited for episodes 3 through 6, directed by ultra-talented actor/filmmaker Justin Chon (Blue Bayou, Ms. Purple, Gook) and can’t wait to see if I can spot any differences in how they’ve each approached their respective episodes.

The cast is, like, seriously incredible. 

Can we talk about it? First of all, and I shouldn’t even mention this because shallow, but this cast is… highly attractive. More importantly, the acting is so emotional and immediate, it sucks you right in. Western audiences will be most familiar with acclaimed Korean actress and Oscar winner Youn Yuh-jung. Or maybe you’ve already fangirled over the adorable Lee Min-ho, one of South Korea’s most famous and most followed multi-hyphenates. The entire cast, from the Yeongdo villagers to recurring characters played by Jin ha, Soji Arai, Kim Min-ha, Anna Sawai, Steve Sang-Hyun Noh, and Jimmi Simpson (McPoyle!) are a stellar ensemble. And the romance in this! Scenes between the lovely Kim Min-ha opposite both of her love interests, Lee Min-ho and Steve Sang-Hyun Noh are equal parts tender, heart-breaking, and sweet. Did I mention this cast is attractive? Sigh, this cast is just way too cute.  

That opening credits sequence!

Is beautiful. And fun! And such a lovely way to showcase the generations that exist within the family. Intercut with archival footage, all of our beloved characters joyously dance to The Grass Roots’ 'Let's Live for Today” amidst the bright lights of Mozasu’s pastel pachinko parlor. I want one of these dancing montages for all the generations of my family - where can I get one?

What’s not so beautiful? The horrors of colonization. 

Both book and adaptation take great pains to articulate the lasting effects of colonization in a way that emotionally hits, no matter where you, the viewer, may come from. Japan’s occupation of Korea spanned 35 years, from 1910 until 1945, when the Japanese government attempted a complete eradication of Korean customs, cultures, language, and way of life.

For some North American audiences (myself included) the nuances surrounding this occupation may feel little-known. Our heroine, Sunja, is born near the beginning of the occupation of her home country, only to move away to Japan as a young adult. She raises her family in a land that doesn’t always welcome her, and doesn't feel her native language should be spoken in public. Her new country doesn’t sell rice grown in Korea, which has a warmer, nuttier taste than what she finds in Japan. Sunja’s powerful memories of Korea begin to grow stronger as she nears advanced age; meanwhile her grandson Solomon, in the vein of Gordon Gecko, walks the walk and talks the talk of his fellow Japanese and American businessmen. While Solomon can speak Korean, he knows little of his ancestral country. For Sunja, she can never forget; for Solomon, he will never know. Colonization lives on, in unforeseeable ways. With rising anti-Asian and AAPI violence in North America, Pachinko comes at a unique time in Western culture when Korean everything, from beauty to music to shows and films, have gained wider popularity. It’s important to center Asian works of art now more than ever. Pachinko is an important read and important to watch.  

There’s more to come from this beautiful show!

I will truly be sad when this series is over - I know I still have the book to read (and to return to when I’m finished) but I don’t want to leave this family that Min Jin Lee has created, or the world they immediately inhabit. But good news! There are five more episodes that I haven’t even watched yet. Expect more of my Pachinko reflections coming soon to a TVJawn near you.