The stars of AppleTV’s Pachinko Season 1, Youn Yuh-Jung and Kim Min Ha, are set for a highly anticipated return in Season 2, promising to captivate audiences worldwide once more.
Pachinko unfolds as a tale rooted in forbidden love, weaving an unforgettable narrative of war and peace, love and loss, victory and judgment across South Korea, Japan, and the United States. Season 1 resonated deeply with viewers through its portrayal of Sunja, played by Kim Min Ha in her youth, who courageously embraces life as an outsider with integrity. In later years, Sunja, portrayed by Youn Yuh-Jung, becomes a stalwart figure firmly rooted in a foreign land, spanning decades of personal and historical transformation.
Both Youn Yuh-Jung and Kim Min Ha, portraying Sunja, are poised to captivate audiences once again in Season 2, scheduled to premiere in August. Youn Yuh-Jung, the first South Korean actress to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, received acclaim for her nuanced portrayal of an older Sunja in Season 1. In episode 4, where Sunja returns to her hometown after decades and cathartically releases her long-held sorrow upon arriving in Yeongdo, she deeply resonated with viewers, evoking a heartfelt response.
Meanwhile, Kim Min Ha, portraying a young Sunja, emanated a commanding presence from her first debut and earned global acclaim for flawlessly capturing the character’s innocence, intelligence, and maternal resilience. “Kim Min Ha, a newcomer portraying the indomitable protagonist Sunja, has garnered acclaim comparable to Oscar winner Youn Yuh-Jung for her role as a young wife and mother,” according to the New York Times. “She skillfully portrays Sunja, a survivor of the era, showing both the character’s vulnerable and resilient sides,” Forbes noted among the glowing reviews she has received. Kim Min Ha has made a strong impression on viewers in South Korea and abroad, alongside the high praise she has received.
Pachinko, which captivated global audiences with its compelling storyline depicting the epic saga of a Korean immigrant family across four generations and its exceptional production quality, is set to return for Season 2 this summer. Youn Yuh-Jung and Kim Min Ha, who flawlessly portrayed Sunja in Season 1, will continue to play pivotal roles in the series.
Season 2 of Pachinko consists of a total of 8 episodes, with the first episode premiering on August 23, followed by weekly releases through October 11 on Apple TV+.