Season 2 of “Pachinko” is set to premiere on Aug. 23.
The American drama television series “Pachinko” tenderly depicts a grand-scale storyline that starts with forbidden love and spans Korea, Japan, and the US. It paints a vivid picture of conflict and harmony, love and loneliness, triumph and judgment. Over four generations, the story follows the aspirations and dreams of a Korean immigrant family forced to flee their homeland due to oppression.
Key characters from Season 1 will return in Season 2, including Lee Min-ho who perfectly transformed into the character Hansu; Kim Min-ha who made a big impression with her powerful performance as a newcomer; and Youn Yuh-jung whose performance anchored the series. Joining the cast is Kim Sung-kyu, known for his outstanding roles in movies such as “The Outlaws,” “Hansan: Rising Dragon,” and “Noryang: Deadly Sea.” Season 2 will also see the return of Jin Ha, Jung Eun-chae, Han Jun-woo, Anna Sawai, and Soji Arai, all of whom delivered outstanding performances in Season 1. “Pachinko” Season 2 consists of eight episodes, with the first airing on August 23 and new episodes dropping weekly on Apple TV+ until October 11.
With its universal themes of family, love, triumph, destiny, and overcoming adversity, the drama’s first season resonated with viewers worldwide. It reveals a vast story set in early 1900s Korea, moving to Japan and the US. The story deftly switches between the teenage Sunja (Kim Min-ha), who chooses to live with dignity as a stranger in a foreign place, and the older Sunja (Youn Yuh-jung), who firmly establishes herself in a strange land over the years, leaving a lasting impression. “Pachinko” Season 1 won numerous awards, including Best Foreign-Language Series at the US Critics Choice Awards and the US Gotham Award for Breakthrough Series - Long Form.
Furthermore, it received a 100% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes upon release, with critics hailing it as “one of the best works of 2022,” “an immersive, heart-wrenching, must-see story,” and a “masterpiece.” With Season 1 ending with Sunja searching for Isak (Noh Sang-hyun), who had been taken into custody by Japanese police, all eyes are on the new narratives to be explored in Season 2.
Season 2 of “Pachinko” promises an unusual plot, spearheaded by creator and writer Soo Hugh, with executive producers Michael Ellenberg and Lindsey Springer from Media Res and Theresa Kang from Blue Marble Pictures. Directors for this season include Lee Sang-il, Justin Chon, and Leanne Welham. Like Season 1, “Pachinko” Season 2 will be produced in Korean, Japanese, and English.
