AppleTV+
A book’s cinematic adaptation has often failed us, but Apple TV+’s "Pachinko" urges us to reconsider. No matter if the creators have taken the liberty in the editorial decisions, including splitting timelines and redressing Koh HanSu (Lee MinHo) into a dashing anti-hero, as this approach has paid off.
The show’s season 1 ranks among the finest productions of AppleTV+ with its immersive picturization of Lee MinJin’s best-selling period novel of the same name. That’s a multigenerational saga following the journey of a Korean family that immigrated to Japan during the politically charged time of the 1930s and their story of resilience against things beyond their control, such as World War II, imperialism, racism, and more.
AppleTV+
While the novel progresses from generation to generation, its adaptation is nonlinear. This side-by-side placement allows the series to capture the hints of the past shaping the trajectories of the future, despite being separated by half a century. It also provides the series with its understated approach stripped of any attempts to convert the epic saga into a trendier limited series, which sets it apart from regular adaptations.
However, this approach has come with its cost—despite being one of the most celebrated screen adaptations, "Pachinko" only received a single Emmy nomination for its excellently dance-driven opening credits in 2022. That being said, this hardly diminishes the accomplishment of the show’s creator, Soo Hugh, and her team, who continue to portray the resilience of the Baek family against the historical events whi
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