Ep 1. Chapter 1

Pachinko is an upcoming drama series based on the acclaimed novel of the same name by Min Jin Lee. Set in the 20th century, the show explores the lives of a Korean family as they navigate through various challenges, including their cultural identity, displacement, and discrimination.

Chapter 1, the first episode of season 1, introduces us to the main characters of the show. Sunja (portrayed by Anna Sawai) is a young woman living in a small Korean village with her mother and father. They run a boardinghouse, where they primarily host fishermen who come to the city to work. One day, Sunja meets a wealthy businessman by the name of Koh Hansu (played by Youki Kudoh). They begin a secret relationship, and Sunja soon falls pregnant.

Sunja's world is turned upside down when Hansu reveals that he is already married and has children of his own. He offers to support Sunja and their child financially, but she refuses. Hansu leaves with the promise to never forget her, and Sunja is left to face a life-changing decision alone. She decides to marry a local pastor named Isak (played by Minha Kim), who offers to take care of her and the baby.

Sunja and Isak move to Japan, where they live with Isak's brother and sister-in-law. They face hostility and discrimination from the locals, who view Koreans as inferior. Isak is determined to build a better life for his family and gets a job teaching at a local school. However, tragedy strikes when Isak is falsely accused of spying for the Korean government and is taken away by the police.

Sunja is left to raise her children on her own and turns to her sister-in-law, Kyunghee (played by Kaho Minami), for help. Kyunghee is a strong-willed woman who runs her own business and has a complicated relationship with her husband, Yoseb (portrayed by Jin Ha). Yoseb is the eldest son of a powerful businessman and is expected to take over the family business in the future.

As Sunja struggles to make ends meet, Kyunghee offers her a job at her factory. Sunja is grateful for the opportunity but soon realizes that the work is hard and pays very little. She also becomes aware of the fact that the factory is involved in gambling, which is illegal in Japan. The factory is raided by the police, and Sunja is arrested along with Kyunghee and Yoseb.

Chapter 1 of Pachinko sets the stage for the rest of the series, exploring the themes of identity, family, and survival. The show provides an intimate look at the lives of the minoritized, and how they navigate through the hostile and oppressive societies they live in. From Sunja, who faces the difficult decision of whether to accept Hansu's offer of financial support, to Isak, who is faced with false accusations and must fight for his freedom, the characters embody resilience and the will to overcome the odds stacked against them. Through their stories, we are transported to a different time and place and gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of human life.