The emotionally compelling story of Min Jin Lee’s book was a major success for Apple TV+’s 2022 series Pachinko, and with Season 2 in the works, the story will continue to unfold.
During the period of Japan’s rule over Korea, Pachinko narrated the tale of Sun-ja, a strong-willed family matriarch, and the enduring legacy of her family. The Apple TV+ series delves into her past, her journey to Japan, her present life, and the story of her grandson.
Pachinko was originally designed to highlight the Korean diaspora and narrate the experiences of Korean immigrants who were forced to leave their homeland.
Despite the success of the series, Apple TV+ has decided to greenlight a second season with the return of the original cast. The direction of Season 2 and its adherence to the original book are still uncertain.
Pachinko Season 2: Does It Follow the Book?
Min Jin Lee’s original book is incredibly comprehensive and provides ample material for the upcoming exploration of Pachinko Season 2.
After moving to Japan with her new husband Baek Isak, Sun-ja was last seen by her fans. However, Baek Isak was taken into custody by authorities for allegedly conspiring against Japan during a time of political unrest.
Despite Sun-ja being left alone to raise her children, Koh Hansu secretly meets with his son and imparts words of wisdom, advising him to always strive to be exceptional so that he cannot be denied what he rightfully deserves. As he speaks, he also hands over the pocket watch that Sun-ja had pawned for financial assistance.
The first season of Pachinko concludes with Sun-ja resorting to selling kimchi at the nearby market in order to survive. This initial season primarily delved into the early stages of Sun-ja’s journey as depicted in the original novel, as well as her grandson’s determination to establish himself in modern-day Japan.
As reported by Deadline, Soo Hugh, the creator of the series, announced that Season 2 will cover events during World War II.
The upcoming season will include a time jump to align with the timeline of the novel. It will not only continue the story of Sun-ja from where the series left off, but also shine a light on her two sons.
“The creator teases that the story of her will continue from Season 1, promising a heavier tone but still filled with moments of joy.”
The sole divergence from the book will be the alteration of Solomon Baek’s storyline. In the first season’s finale, he made a pact with a formidable Japanese businessman that was deemed a “deal with the devil.”
According to actor Jin Ha, who plays the role of Solomon, we witness him reevaluating his beliefs about success at the start of the season. Ha hopes that Solomon will ultimately discover a more positive and less harmful concept of success.
Pachinko Season 2 is set to debut on August 23, 2024 and will continue to release new episodes weekly until October. During this time, you can also discover upcoming K-dramas on Netflix, updates on Severance Season 2, and other new TV shows available for streaming.
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