‘Pachinko’ TV adaptation: release date, plot details, cast and everything we know so far

Pachinko, the beloved epic historical novel by Min Jin Lee, is getting a television adaptation. Thanks to Apple TV+, we can soon expect a show of similarly lofty ambitions. A stacked list of actors and directors, including Korean icon Lee Min-ho, has already been confirmed.

Lee’s novel follows the trials and tribulations of Korean immigrants in turn-of-the-century Japan, which unfolds over four generations. The 2017 book was praised for its depiction of institutional racism, prejudice and gripping intimacy under a distinct Asian lens, told in three languages – English, Korean and Japanese.

The list of talent involved ensures this upcoming series will be one to watch. Here’s what we know so far.

Latest news:

• Apple TV+ announces Pachinko release date, shares official stills
• Lee Min-ho discusses portraying Hansu in Pachinko
• New clips of Kim Min-ha as young Sunja appear online
• First pictures of Lee Min-ho on the set of Pachinko surface on social media
• Jung Woong-in reportedly to join the star-studded cast
• Minari star and veteran actress Youn Yuh-jung has been added to the cast

What is the plot of Pachinko?

Pachinko details the journey of a Korean family who move to Japan in a period of the country’s occupation of a then-unified Korea and their involvement in World War II. The story begins in 1883, but the bulk of the novel’s story takes place between 1910 to 1989.

The main appeal of Pachinko is Lee’s effortless weaving of individual characters within this timeline. Its main protagonist is Sunja, whose journey to Japan in the midst of poverty reveals a deep-rooted undercurrent of intolerance towards Koreans in the country. Her story entwines with the life of Hansu, a mysterious Korean merchant born into a rich Japanese family, along with a host of characters that are both Korean and Japanese.

What ensues is a multi-generational tale that The Guardian pronounced a “rich tribute to a people that history seems intent on erasing”.

When will Pachinko be released?

On January 26 2022, Apple TV+ announced that the first three episodes of Pachinko will premiere on the platform on March 25. Each subsequent episode will premiere every Friday until the season wraps on April 29.

How long is Pachinko?

While the novel stands at a hefty 490 pages, per Deadline the show is currently booked as a limited eight-episode special. It’s not yet confirmed if showrunner Soo Hugh (The Terror) will diligently follow the events of the book or add any new plot elements.

On January 26, Apple TV+ confirmed that the series will consist of eight episodes – although its runtime has not been announced.

Who will act in Pachinko?

With the show involving dialogue in English, Japanese and Korean, and with set locations across several continents, according to Deadline, the talent on board spans from established Asian stars to Hollywood upstarts.

The main cast of the show was revealed last October, led by beloved South Korean actor Lee Min-ho. The star of The King: Eternal Monarch will play Hansu.

For the role, Lee auditioned for the showrunners – which, the actor told GQ Korea, as reported by Soompi, he hadn’t had to do in a decade due to his surging popularity since 2009’s Boys Over Flowers. “I felt very pressured about having to do well. I was really nervous and excited, and I was really happy when I got the part,” he said. Lee’s The King co-star Jung Eun-chae joins him on this project, playing the supporting role of Kyunghee.

The novel centres on the main protagonist Sunja, who will be played by Minari star Youn Yuh-jung, her agency Hook Entertainment confirmed. In a February interview with Los Angeles Times, the veteran actress said that she enjoys taking on new projects and challenging herself. “I read the novel and I was really touched: ‘It’s me, and I can play this role really well.’”

Meanwhile, teenage Sunja will be played by Kim Min-ha. Known for his roles in Netflix’s Devs and the Chicago production of Hamilton, the Korean-American actor will play Solomon, an ambitious young man tied up by his family’s past.

Japanese actors Soji Arai and Kaho Minami will portray Mozasu and Etsuko, respectively. The former is a successful businessman and father of Solomon, while the latter is an independent woman in search of her estranged daughter. Japanese-New Zealand actress Anna Sawai, who has an upcoming role in the ninth Fast & Furious film, will play Naomi, a tenacious careerist making her way in the male-dominated world of finance.

Actor Jung Woong-in is also expected to join the cast, JoongAng Daily reported in January.

Directors Kogonada and Justin Chon are set to direct four episodes each, with Kogonada – praised for his artful film essays and 2017 debut Columbus – locked in for the show’s pilot episode. Both directors will also serve as executive producers alongside Min Jin Lee herself.

Michael Ellenberg and Lindsey Springer will executive produce for Media Res; Theresa Kang-Lowe executive produces for Blue Marble Pictures; and Media Res’ Dani Gorin co-executive produces, along with Richard Middleton, David Kim and Sebastian Lee.

Has Pachinko started filming?

Yes, Panchiko has already begun filming. At the end of March 2021, several fans spotted actress Kim Min-ha in costume on set. She appeared to be filming at the same location where Lee Min-ho was seen earlier.

Minha Kim as Sunja #Pachinko pic.twitter.com/JjIBD9akcZ

— Erika Julian (@erikafranchette) March 28, 2021

via.kmnhayashii IG Stories
Isak and Sunja#이민호 #LeeMinho #李敏镐 #pachinko #파친코 #Hansu https://t.co/K4usCmtEzw pic.twitter.com/tVKIaNdLpx

— machi (@machi6221) March 27, 2021

On March 17, fans shared photos and videos of Lee Min-ho on set. The actor was spotted shooting a scene at the Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site in Canada. Check them out here:

I just saw @ActorLeeMinHo today on his shooting for Pachinko! So handsome and nice person for waving to his fans this morning! Saranghae oppa! Take care! #PACHINKO_Leeminho_HANSU #pachinko #LEEMINHO #applemovie pic.twitter.com/83TsChN4G9

— SASA (@Prinsasaa) March 16, 2021

https://t.co/iWpTx15a9M#LeeMinHo #Pachinko @ActorLeeMinHo pic.twitter.com/nP4Yzsn5Q4

— Yeppudaa Minoz (@sevennyLMH) March 16, 2021

Actor Lee MinHo spotted for Pachinko filming today at Britannia dockyard.#LeeMinHo #이민호 #Pachinko #Hansu
Cr. Ruru.chien IG pic.twitter.com/WZQp0oY87u

— Minholics_India (@minholics_india) March 16, 2021

Speaking to LA Times in February, Youn Yuh-jung confirmed that she had arrived in Vancouver, Canada to begin filming for Pachinko.

What has the cast said about the television adaptation of Pachinko?

In a September 2021 interview with Esquire Korea, Lee Min-ho said that he wanted to portray his character Hansu truthfully by properly reflecting “the male image from that era”.

“I wanted to be true to the character,” he said. “So I tried to focus on how desperate they were to survive in that period [of time].”

The actor added: “I wanted to express the man who has desperately survived and met the woman he loved. And I really wanted to portray well how one can love one another.”

On January 25 2022, showrunner Soo Hugh said: “They say there are those projects that come along and change the very core of who you are as a filmmaker and a person. Undoubtedly, ‘Pachinko’ is that project for me.”

She continued: “Not only is this a story of my forebears, it’s my tribute to them — to all of the Sunjas buried deep in all of our family’s history. It’s been an incredible honour to bring this series to life with this dedicated and gifted cast and crew.”

Is there a trailer for Pachinko?

No, a trailer for the series has not yet been released. It will most likely arrive closer to the premiere date.

However, Apple TV+ has released several official stills from the show.

How can I watch Pachinko?

Since Pachinko is an Apple original, it will be released exclusively on the tech giant’s on demand streaming television service Apple TV+. The service is available on the Apple TV app, which comes for free on any Apple device for one year. See more details about the service here.

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