Lee Min-ho and Kim Min-ha's reunion, 'Pachinko 2' to air on tvN on the 18th

Lee Min-ho's Transformation and Kim Min-ha's Presence Continue into Season 2

The Apple TV+ global hit 'Pachinko' is coming to living rooms via tvN. 'Pachinko 2', which begins its first broadcast on July 18 at 10:30 PM, is an epic drama depicting the lives of four generations of a Korean immigrant family who left their homeland to tenaciously build survival and prosperity.

Season 1, released on Apple TV+ in March 2022, garnered worldwide attention with a structure that moved between Yeongdo, Busan in the 1910s and Tokyo in 1989. On tvN, it aired from last June and concluded on the 28th, recording a peak viewership rating of 4.1% (based on Nielsen Korea). Viewers highly praised the work, saying, "It's the first time I've encountered the 'Han' (deep sorrow/resentment) of Zainichi Koreans struggling to survive in Japan," and "Every single line touches my heart. It is truly a masterpiece."

This Season 2 focuses on the stories of those who had to survive amidst war and discrimination, centered around Osaka in 1945 and Tokyo in 1989.

The actors' transformations in their performances also draw attention. In Season 1, Lee Min-ho played 'Hansu,' a character who fails to take responsibility for his lover yet pursues her until the end. He broke away from his existing image, even earning nicknames like 'Ssurang-kkun' (a mix of 'trash' and 'lover') and 'Haebaregi' (a mix of 'sunflower' and 'trash'). Lee Min-ho stated, "Korean industry professionals also said they felt a different vibe from me in this work. I felt euphoria when I heard that I had chosen the project well."

The Presence of Hansu Piercing through Sunja's Life, Capturing the History of Zainichi Koreans

At the center of the drama is 'Sunja,' who experiences the ups and downs of life throughout the Japanese colonial period. Kim Min-ha plays the teenage Sunja, who helps run a boarding house with her widowed mother before meeting Hansu and having a child. The narrative expands as she moves to Japan in search of a better life. The elderly Sunja is played by Youn Yuh-jung. In 1989, Sunja lives a peaceful life after overcoming various hardships and trials, but she faces confusion upon hearing sudden news about her grandson, Solomon. As Solomon loses his judgment, Sunja faces and fights against her past self.

Through this work, Kim Min-ha has emerged as 'this year's most powerful global rookie.' In a 2024 interview related to 'Pachinko 2,' she confessed, "'Pachinko' was a major turning point in my career. I experienced many things, and for the first time, many people recognized me." She added, "After encountering this work, I have had a lot of time to get to know myself."

After taking on the role of Sunja, Kim Min-ha spent time having dialogues with herself and learned how to listen to others. She said, "Through this film, I studied Zainichi (Koreans in Japan) for the first time. I felt that I was too unaware of such stories." She also contemplated how to handle the story without hurting anyone while studying about the war, atomic bomb victims, and their families.

Her counterpart, Hansu, is a self-made businessman in the 1930s. Although he possesses a brilliant mind and flawless business acumen, he makes a choice that ultimately prevents him from being with Sunja. Regarding Hansu, Kim Min-ha explained, "To Sunja, Hansu cannot be explained or defined. He is a character she finds frustrating, yet she seeks him out even while saying she dislikes him." She defined the relationship between the characters by saying, "Sunja is a strong person who accepts that Hansu, like a scar on her body, is a part of her life and survives."

Intersecting Fates and the Actors' Reflections

Hansu, a self-made businessman in the 1930s, shares a secret love with Sunja but ultimately makes a choice that prevents them from being together. Kim Min-ha said of Hansu, "To Sunja, Hansu cannot be explained or defined. He is a character she finds frustrating, yet she seeks him out even while saying she dislikes him." She went on to define the relationship between the characters, saying, "Sunja is a strong person who accepts that Hansu, like a scar on her body, is a part of her life and survives."

Through an interview, Kim Min-ha shared her thoughts, stating, "'Pachinko' was a major turning point in my career. I experienced many things, and for the first time, many people recognized me." She added, "Through this film, I studied Zainichi (Koreans in Japan) for the first time. I felt that I was too unaware of such stories."

While preparing for the work, she conveyed, "I contemplated how to handle the story without hurting anyone, and I tried to study and learn about the war, atomic bomb victims, and their families." Lee Min-ho said, "Korean industry professionals also said they felt a different vibe from me in this work. I felt euphoria when I heard that I had chosen the project well."