One of the best shows of Apple TV+, Pachinko is back with its highly anticipated season 2 and fans can’t get enough of the Sunja-Hansu reunion. Know all about the plot, episodes and other details of the Lee Min-ho starrer K-drama Pachinko season 2 here.
A Korean drama adaptation of Lee Min-jin’s 2017 novel of the same name, Pachinko is created by Soo Hugh. It follows protagonist Sunja and three generations of her family through World War II and its aftermath.
With popular South Korean actors Kim Min-ha and Jin Ha in leading roles, Pachinko season 1 proved to be an instant hit. The Apple TV+ original also took home the Best Foreign Language Series title at the 28th Critics Choice Awards in 2023.
According to the OTT, Pachinko season 2 will pick up with both halves of the story right where they left off. In 1940s Osaka, Sunja and her family will fight endlessly to survive through World War II. Meanwhile, in the 1980s, Sunja’s grandson Solomon will try to rebuild his career.
What happens in episode 1 of Pachinko season 2?
View this post on Instagram
Previously in the 1940s of the historical drama, Sunja (played by Kim) gets arrested when the police raid the rice wine stalls, but to her shock, she is soon released. She then meets Mr. Kim (played by Kim Sung-kyu) — an old well-wisher — who takes her to an elite bungalow. There, she meets Hansu (played by Lee) once again. The latter informs her that she must soon leave for the countryside with her family before the bombings start. Sunja, however, isn’t pleased to see Hansu again and rejects his offer, saying that she won’t leave her husband Isak (played by Noh Sang-hyun) behind.
Meanwhile, in Tokyo 1989, Sunja’s (played by Youn yuh-jung) grandson Solomon (played by Jin) gets a call from Tetsuya who informs him that he won’t be able to do business with him anymore. The episode ends with Solomon planning to apologise to Abe (played by Yoshio Maki), the one responsible for making his career tank.
Episode 2 begins with Isak’s return from the prison in the 1940s. But he is on the brink of death. While the young Mozasu (played by Kwon Eun-seong) and teenager Noa (played by Kim Kang-hoon) are shaken by the events, Sunja runs to Hansu to request him to arrange for a doctor who can tend to Isak. Hansu in return makes her promise that she and the kids will leave the place with the former, with or without Isak. Sunja agrees and heads back home with the doctor. On the other hand, Noa learns that it was pastor Hu who framed Isak and caused his imprisonment. Later, after inspection, the doctor informs Sunja that Isak has sepsis and only has a few hours of life left in him. A devastated Sunja spends the rest of the hours with her ailing husband until he takes his last breath. In the morning, the family performs the last rites of Isak. However, soon the Americans attack Osaka and inspite of Sunja’s pleas to let her family witness Isak’s casket, which is halfway into the chimney, a group of people forcefully take them away to safety.
Elsewhere in 1989 Tokyo, Solomon gets insulted by Katsu Abe which makes him realise that Abe doesn’t deserve his apology. The former rather focuses on plotting revenge against Abe, in order to prove to him that his Korean lineage doesn’t make him weak but strong enough to endure all the hardships that come on his way to success.
Later that night, Solomon once again pays a visit to landowner Han Geum-ja and informs her about his post-Shiffley’s plight. In return, the woman tells Solomon that her worn out home sits on the site of an old military school and very likely scores of improperly disposed-of corpses. Solomon takes his chance and soon reports back to Yoshii that he has convinced the old woman to sell her house to Abe. He adds that once the deal is done, they will spread word of the land’s unpleasant past, effectively leaving Abe with a massive debt and bad reputation.
When is episode 3 out?
Episode 3 will premiere on Apple TV+ on 6 September 2024.
What is the total number of episodes in Pachinko season 2?
There are a total of 8 episodes.
What is the duration of each episode?
Each episode of the historical series has a runtime of approximately 52 min.
Pachinko season 2 episode release schedule
The Apple TV+ series is available in three languages — Korean, Japanese, and English. Viewers can expect a weekly release schedule with one episode dropping every Friday, which started on 23 August 2024. Below is the complete schedule for all the episodes of the season 2:
- Episode 1 — Friday, 23 August 2024 (Out now)
- Episode 2 — Friday, 30 August 2024 (Out now)
- Episode 3 — Friday, 6 September 2024
- Episode 4 — Friday, 13 September 2024
- Episode 5 — Friday, 20 September 2024
- Episode 6 — Friday, 27 September 2024
- Episode 7 — Friday, 4 October 2024
- Episode 8 — Friday, 11 October 2024
Is there a trailer for season 2?
Yes, watch the official trailer below:
Watch Pachinko seasons 1 and 2 here.
(Hero and Featured images: Courtesy Apple TV+/Instagram)