During a recent interview, Youn Yuh-jung expressed her struggle with the numerous Japanese lines in the show. She went on to state that if Season 3 were to have even more Japanese lines, she would not be able to participate. She shook her head in refusal at the thought.
The Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in Samseong-dong, Seoul hosted the press conference for the second season of “Pachinko”on August 23, featuring the attendance of Youn Yuh-jung, Lee Min-ho, Kim Min-ha, Jung Eun-chae and Kim Sung-kyu as representatives of Apple TV+’s original series.
“Adapted from the New York Times bestselling novel, “Pachinko”follows the remarkable journey of Sunja, a resilient mother determined to maintain her dignity in a foreign land. Spanning four generations, this epic tale recounts a tale of love and survival. The first season of “Pachinko”captivated audiences with its sweeping narrative across Korea, Japan, and the United States, earning high acclaim and prestigious awards such as the Critics’ Choice Awards and Gotham Awards.”
The first season of “Pachinko” takes place in the 1910s and follows the story of Sunja and her family as they flee their home country and start a new life in Japan. In “Pachinko 2”, which begins in 1945 Osaka, Sunja faces the challenges of World War II and must make risky decisions in order to protect her family.
Youn Yuh-jung, the actress who portrays the elderly Sunja, expressed her satisfaction with playing a character who, despite lacking education and wealth, lives with grace and dignity. She shared her appreciation for learning the historical background and how it shed light on the unknown aspects of their lives. Filming this role was a valuable learning experience for her.
Despite being offered the role of the 74-year-old Sunja, Youn Yuh-jung had less screen time than anticipated in Season 1. She revealed her reasoning for choosing “Pachinko” , stating, “I felt this role would be a good fit for me because of my age. I am a practical person and prefer smaller roles, so having fewer appearances was actually preferable for me.”
Youn Yuh-jung commended Jin Ha, her co-star who portrays her grandson Solomon, for his ability to handle a significant number of Japanese lines despite not being fluent in the language. She then went on to mention her own experience in Season 2, where she also had to deliver many Japanese lines. Being an elderly person, Yuh-jung explains that her memory is not as sharp and her physical abilities are limited, making it challenging for her. She humorously adds that all her friends are also in a similar situation, lying in bed at home. This brought about laughter from the audience as she pleaded for understanding and compassion towards her difficult situation.
Lee Min-ho, who portrays the role of Han Su, a married man who engages in a forbidden love with Sunja in the first season, stated that the upcoming season will focus on the struggles and hardships of living and surviving. He aimed to present a more evolved version of Han Su, depicting a human being who strives to fulfill his desires and attain various possessions.
Lee Min-ho further elaborated, stating that his intention was to portray Han Su’s emotions towards Sunja as more than just love. He believed that Han Su, being a strong-willed individual like himself, experienced love at first sight and gradually developed a possessive desire. His own feelings took precedence over the other person’s, causing him to prioritize his own wants and needs above all else.
As Season 2 progresses, Han Su’s identity becomes increasingly ambiguous. To me, it was crucial for him to remain true to his desires. I made a conscious effort to emphasize what he longed for in each scene. While some may view this as being immoral, I saw Han Su as a rational character who did not waste energy on unnecessary matters. My main focus was on conveying his emotions throughout the series.
Kim Min-ha, who portrays the young Sunja, shared, “With a seven-year time jump from Season 1, I made an effort to accurately depict the passing of time. Additionally, I delved into the theme of maternal love, something I hadn’t explored in Season 1, as it plays a more prominent role in the relationship between Sunja and her sons.”
Kim Min-ha described Han Su as an encyclopedia that introduced Sunja to the world and opened new doors for her. Their relationship is one that cannot be easily defined as just love, as Sunja often wishes he were gone in Season 2. Despite her attempts to push him away, Han Su is someone she thinks about every day and realizes she cannot live without.
Jung Eun-chae, the actress portraying Kyung-hee, highlighted, “In the first season, Kyung-hee faced many challenges and was often lost in different circumstances. However, in the second season, you will witness Kyung-hee embracing the flow of time, releasing attachments, and gradually adjusting.”
Kim Sung-kyu, who became a part of Season 2’s cast, revealed, “I was initially taken aback when I received the offer as my audition had a different tone compared to my previous acting projects. I quietly rejoiced as I wasn’t able to openly express my excitement about it.”
In regard to Season 3, Kim Min-ha expressed her hopes, stating, “I hope so too.”Youn Yuh-jung jokingly added, “I told them that if they give me more Japanese lines in Season 3, I won’t do it. I had to memorize them like multiplication tables, and it was a terrible experience.”
The second season of “Pachinko”comprises 8 episodes in total. The initial episode was made available on August 23, followed by a new episode being released every week until October 11.
The information was obtained from Daum’s website at https://v.daum.net/v/20240823132802952?f=m.
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