4 Years Later, This 97%-Rated TV Series Is Still One of the Best Korean Historical Dramas Ever Made

Pachinko is a screen adaptation of Min Jin Lee's historical bestseller of the same name. It centers on the complex relationship between Japan and South Korea, a dynamic that has led to human tragedies and altered countless lives.

It's also one of the most ambitious and visually stunning historical series in recent years, yet it has shared the same fate as similar productions, such as My Brilliant Friend.

None of these adaptations of best-selling novels have captured a mass audience, instead remaining niche hits – acclaimed and adored only within a select circle.

What Is 'Pachinko' About?

In the early 20th century, Japan annexed Korea. Sunja, a young woman struggling to make ends meet with her mother, narrowly escaped rape when rescued by the new market inspector, Koh Hansu.

They begin a romance, and Sunja soon becomes pregnant. However, she ends the relationship when she discovers that Hansu is already married and only wants her as a mistress.

Sunja faces a long journey as an immigrant, moving from Korea to Japan and enduring years of humiliation, discrimination, and struggle to survive.

'Pachinko's Sheer Scope and Visual Grandeur Are Truly Awe-Inspiring

Pachinko is a rare example of a show that can be described as epic without any exaggeration. Apple TV spared no expense in producing the series: the narrative spans nearly a century and the setting stretches from a Korean fishing village to the bustling streets of Tokyo and the skyscrapers of New York.

Visually, Pachinko is flawless: every scene, whether a sunrise over the sea, a cramped room in a Japanese inn, or a gleaming bank office, is composed with such meticulous care that it resembles a painting.

It's worth noting that Pachinko departs from the chronological structure of the source material. The first episode reveals that Sunja lives into the late 1980s, shifting the focus. Rather than waiting for her odyssey to conclude, we wonder about the hardships she endured between the beginning and end of the story.

This technique interweaves the lives of Sunja and her relatives, allowing the creators to bring other characters to the forefront and explore the parallels and striking differences between generations.

For example, Sunja, a Korean woman in Japan, and her grandson Solomon, an Asian man in the US, share the struggle of understanding their place in a rapidly changing world and coming to terms with their identities as migrants.

Pachinko is a must-watch for anyone interested in Korean history, fans of epic family sagas, and anyone who appreciates high-quality drama.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Pachinko'?

• Pachinko has 97% from critics and 92% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 8.4/10.

Where to Watch 'Pachinko'?

Pachinko is available to stream on Apple TV+.