There are only a handful of shows where everything from the acting to the writing, directing, production design, cinematography, and more come together to create something as magnificent as it is intimate. These are the kinds of rare gems that only come along every now and then, making them experiences worth shouting from the rooftops. One hesitates to use the word perfection too often, but these shows are as close to perfection as you can get. Although it’s only just getting started, and deserves to continue as long as the creator So, Hugh wants it, Pachinko has already proven that it should be part of any conversation about the greatest modern shows. As it did in its spectacular first season, the series continues to spin a sweeping emotional tapestry that spans decades, with moments big and small that will blow your mind. Much of this is thanks to the incredible and underrated cast, although every other element of the production is so masterfully constructed that it takes your breath away. Adapted from the equally excellent novel by Min Jin Lee, Pachinko is a series that more than does justice to the original and always comes to life in its own wonderful way. In season 2, the story is further expanded and restructured, which leads to an even greater response.

What is season 2 of “Pachinko” about?

We continue where we left off with Sunja, perfectly played by Kim Min-ha And Youn Yuh-jung at different points in time as life’s challenges continue to unfold before her. For those unfamiliar with the source material, Season 1 only ended about halfway through the book with a significant breakup as well as a hint of potential triumph. Each was captured truthfully and completely, showing how life can be full of immense joy and pain. As the series continues to jump back and forth in time, it will continue to Exploring tragedy and triumph in a wonderful way to the same extent.

In the past, Osaka 1945, Sunja is still working hard to survive in a harsh world that doesn’t care about her or her family in the slightest. She has already endured a lot of pain, and there is more pain on the horizon. Everything from the growing horrors of World War II to the uncertain fate of a family member weighs heavily on the series. Even Hansu, once again played with aplomb by Lee Minhoseems increasingly concerned about the way things are going and tries to help Sunja while continuing to keep her at a distance in a selfish way. We see more of the next generation growing up in all this, but the show always maintains a balance between young and old all living together. The jump to 1989 Tokyo creates interesting juxtapositions, as Sunja and her grandson Solomon (Jin Ha) are about lives forever tied to that past, but still filled with clear struggles. And yes, there’s a new, delightful dance in the opening credits, which is, again, one of the best ways to start any episode.

Compassionate and devastating, “Pachinko” is a must-see

While watching all eight episodes of the second season, I found myself stopping every now and then to rewatch the conversations. Even though they are short, they are so well written and acted that you feel like you are being drawn into a lifetime of emotions. The first comes at the end of the first episode between Sunja and Hansu, which tells us so much about both of them. Not only do both actors do remarkable work, both in delivering the rich dialogue and in their physical performances, but the whole patient way in which everything is set up gives the whole thing an epic quality. Although life is full of simple moments and conversations that can feel small in the face of the immense forces of the story, Pachinko is an absolutely unmissable show this shows how fundamental and influential they are for the history of our lives.

These are the moments we remember when we look back on the end of our lives, and the series is full of them, all with consistently tender yet devastating effect. Later, in a conversation that will be the last Sunja has with anyone close to her, it’s excruciating to feel an impending loss that we know is coming, even if the scene never revels in the pain. This is also palpable in a moment later in the season; we know an atrocity is about to occur, the horror of which the series captures while also showing a high degree of restraint. Questions about how and whether such a thing should be portrayed remain important, though Pachinko is well thought out in its approach. It is never exploitative or exaggerated, but a necessary reminder of a moment in time that inflicted unimaginable suffering on all who followed in its footsteps.

All this is a difficult balancing act, but Pachinko ensures that the characters are never consumed by the cruelty they face. The series is a living, breathing embodiment of the tragic line from the book – “History has failed us, but that doesn’t matter” – which expresses how deep historical pain can run, even while never losing sight of the people living through it. Whether in the past scenes where Sunja finds joy where she can and love with those she cares about, or the future moments where her older version reflects on everything she’s been through, the series is so finely tuned that it proves quietly overwhelming the more it comes together. Pachinko Is an experience that painful, joyful, melancholic and movinga masterful tapestry with the power to last a lifetime.

REVIEW

Pachinko Season 2

Even in its second season, Pachinko remains one of the best television shows with excellent performances across the board.

Per

• The cast, including Kim Min-Ha, Youn Yuh-jung and Lee Minho, play their roles perfectly.
• Every scene, no matter how short, is bursting with emotion because everything is so well written, acted and constructed.
• The series is a compassionate yet devastating experience and one of the best that modern television has to offer.

Pachinko Season 2 starts on August 23 on Apple TV+ in the US

Watch on Apple TV+