The second season of the Apple TV+ series Pachinko premiered with a charming continuation of the stories of Sunja and Solomon, Korean immigrants living in Japan. The episode jumps back and forth between the 1940s and 1980s, illustrating the struggles of the two generations. Sunja, played by Youn Yuh-jung, is faced with endless discrimination and hardship as a Korean in Japan, while Solomon, played by Jin Ha, is struggling to find his place in the world as a Korean-Japanese.
The episode opens with a scene of Koh Hansu, played by Lee Minho, meeting with an employee to discuss a material called tungsten, which is crucial to the war effort. The scene then cuts to Sunja and her two young sons, Noa and Mozasu, trying to survive in a war-torn market. The children are dealing with racist behavior in school, and Sunja is struggling to make ends meet.
Meanwhile, in the 1980s, Solomon is trying to pick up the pieces of his career after a failed business deal. He meets with potential investors, but is met with rejection. He then attends his father’s grand opening of a pachinko parlor and is shown a check from his parents for $700,000. However, the check comes with a heavy burden, as Solomon’s father has taken out a mortgage on the new business.
Pachinko Season 2 (Image via Getty)
The episode also explores the theme of sacrifice and the struggles of the two generations. Sunja is willing to risk everything to make sure her children have enough to eat, while Solomon is struggling to find his place in the world. The contrast between the two timelines is striking, and the young actors playing Noa and Mozasu steal every scene they are in.
The episode sets up many new storylines and themes, including the struggles of Korean immigrants in Japan and the intricacies of family and love. It also shows the ways in which the past continues to impact the present, as Sunja’s sacrifices are felt by Solomon’s struggles. The series is known for its charming storytelling and stunning cinematography, and this episode is no exception.
