Pachinko 2 continues the epic saga of immigrants surviving the Japanese colonial period.
On the morning of the 23rd, the press conference for the second season of the Apple TV+ series Pachinko was held at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in Samseong-dong, Seoul. The event featured appearances by key cast members, including Yoon Yuh Jung, Lee Min Ho, Kim Min Ha, Jung Eun Chae, and Kim Sung Kyu.
Pachinko is a sweeping narrative that explores the lives of immigrants who survived and endured the Japanese colonial period. Season 2 delves even deeper into the complex relationships and emotions of its characters. The story, which began with a tale of forbidden love, spans across Korea, Japan, and the United States, weaving a rich tapestry of war and peace, love and separation, and the struggle for survival.
Set in Osaka in 1945, this season continues to follow the characters as they navigate the imminent threat of World War II, portraying Japan and Korea as they were during that tumultuous time.
Lee Min Ho and Kim Min Ha, who play pivotal roles in the series, recently attended the New York press day, where they were met with overwhelming enthusiasm from fans. Lee Min Ho expressed his joy at the global success of the series, noting how gratifying it was to connect with fans before the new season’s premiere. Kim Min Ha, who was initially nervous, shared her relief and happiness at the warm reception in New York.
In Season 2, Lee Min Ho’s character, Han-soo, who has amassed great wealth, is portrayed with even greater depth. He explained that while the first season focused on survival, the second season explores the lives of those who are still struggling to live and endure. His character’s obsession with his son Noah is also a key theme, with Lee Min Ho describing his approach to the role as primal, emphasizing the importance of blood and lineage in Han-soo’s motivations.
Kim Min Ha, who plays a young mother of two with a fierce survival instinct, discussed the challenges of expressing her character’s emotions after a seven-year time jump since the first season. She emphasized the evolution of her character’s relationship with her son and the exploration of maternal love, which is a central theme in this season.
Jung Eun Chae, who portrayed the quiet character Kyung-hee in the first season, revealed that her role becomes more intense in Season 2. She explained that Kyung-hee, once confused and disoriented, has grown stronger and more accepting of her circumstances, letting go of many things along the way.
Kim Sung Kyu, a new addition to the cast, expressed his excitement and surprise at joining the ‘Pachinko’ team. He shared that the role was different from anything he had done before, and he prepared for filming with quiet joy.
Pachinko has been instrumental in reminding the world of the painful history of the Japanese colonial period and Korea’s struggles. When asked about their feelings as Korean actors and their thoughts on the historical context, Yoon Yeo-jeong shared that she approached her role with sincerity, portraying her character Seon-ja as a woman who, despite her lack of education and poverty, lives with genuine conviction.
Reflecting on the filming process, Yoon Yeo-jeong mentioned that she lived through a different generation compared to her younger co-stars and learned a great deal about history and the untold stories of that era. Lee Min-ho also reflected on the significance of ‘Pachinko,’ noting that it was meaningful to bring attention to a story that had not received much focus before. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to tell such personal and historical stories through the series.
The multilingual nature of ‘Pachinko,’ which incorporates Korean, Japanese, and English, presented challenges for the cast. Yoon Yeo-jeong candidly spoke about the difficulties of delivering lines in a foreign language, particularly Japanese, and shared her frustration with the language barrier during filming. Lee Min-ho echoed these sentiments, recalling the disorienting experience of being surrounded by different languages on set, which, while challenging, also enhanced the immersive nature of the project.
Pachinko 2 will premiere with its first episode on August 23, with a total of eight episodes being released weekly on Fridays.
