The second season of the series “Pachinko” premieres on Friday, offering a nuanced exploration of the struggles faced by ethnic Koreans in Japan during colonial rule and their descendants. The show, which is based on a bestselling novel and features a star-studded cast including Youn Yuh-jung and Lee Minho, follows four generations of a Korean family in Japan since before World War II through eight episodes.
Ethnic Koreans were often brought to Japan under colonial rule to work in mines and factories, enduring second-class citizenship and discrimination, as depicted in the series. Youn Yuh-jung, who plays the older version of protagonist Sunja, expressed her emotional response to learning about the experiences of ethnic Koreans in Japan through her discussions with co-star Soji Arai, who was born into an ethnic Korean family in Japan. The portrayal of discrimination faced by ethnic Koreans continues across generations in the series.
The show is a multilingual production in Japanese, Korean, and English with subtitles and draws from the novel by Korean-American author Min Jin Lee. Youn Yuh-jung shared her approach to portraying Sunja as intimidated and scared due to the discrimination she faces, reflecting on her own experiences with an inferiority complex over language struggles. The series also delves into the complexities of identity and belonging for ethnic Koreans living in Japan, where about half a million still reside.
Executive producer Soo Hugh expressed her nerves about how the show would resonate with Zainichi Koreans but was pleased to see that it had a strong emotional impact. The series transitions from day-to-day survival to exploring deeper questions about shifting identities and the concept of home. These themes resonate strongly with Hugh, who is Korean American, and with many immigrant communities worldwide.
Youn Yuh-jung emphasized the importance of embracing one’s identity, stating that one should not feel the need to erase their heritage. The series tackles sensitive parts of East Asian history, prompting discussions about the past and the enduring impact of discrimination on individuals and communities. “Pachinko” season two is now available on Apple TV+ platforms for audiences to delve into the complex and compelling narrative it presents.