Pachinko cast and crew on the meaning of Korean immigrant story the Apple TV+ K-drama depicts – ‘iconic for our community’, says co-director

Apple TV+ drama series Pachinko tells the story of a family of Korean immigrants living in Japan, stretching from the 1920s to the 1980s

Indie film auteurs Kogonada and Justin Chon co-direct and the series stars Lee Min-ho and Oscar winner Youn Yuh-jung, who was ‘amazing’, producer Soo Hugh says

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Lee Minho in a still from Pachinko, in which he plays the male lead, Hansu. Lee says: “Hansu had to strive really hard to survive. I could relate to him in that regard.” Photo: Apple

Daniel Eagan

Published: 4:15pm, 25 Mar 2022

Pachinko, an eight-part series launching March 25 worldwide on Apple TV+, has a strong pedigree.

Youn Yuh-jung, an Oscar winner for Minari, plays Sunja, an illiterate Korean immigrant who struggles after moving to Japan. Lee Minho, a film and TV star in South Korea, plays Hansu, a businessman with shady connections who weaves his way into Sunja’s life.

The series was directed by two indie favourites, Kogonada (After Yang) and Justin Chon (Blue Bayou), and overseen by executive producer Soo Hugh (The Terror).

“In a way, it’s the story of every Korean family,” Soo tells the Post in a Zoom call. “I was born in Korea and moved to America as a baby when my parents emigrated. This is a story of my family.”

“It’s an iconic piece of work for our community,” Chon says. “I’m constantly examining Korean experiences in this country, so this was a different way to explore what is an incredibly compelling history.”

“Pachinko captures a history that hasn’t often been told,” Kogonada agrees. “Certainly not in the West. I was so excited Justin was a part of this project, because he’s already made three films about the immigrant experience from an Asian perspective.”