Interview: Pachinko Showrunner Soo Hugh

Soo Hugh Breaks Down Her Historical Asian Epic on Apple TV

Pachinko, Apple TV’s sprawling historical epic adapted from Min Jin Lee’s acclaimed novel, has just wrapped up its first eight-episode season. An ambitious drama that spans four generations of a single-family, the series examines the lives of the ethnic Koreans of Japan through the throes of heartache and perseverance. Starting with the annexation and colonization of Korea by the Japanese empire in 1910, “Pachinko” paints a measured dichotomy between past and present by surrounding its narrative around one woman: Kim Sunja. The thread that connects the disparate timelines of this multifaceted narrative, Sunja’s story, is summed up powerfully and succinctly by the series’ opening text: “People endured. Families endured.” “Pachinko” slowly reveals the hidden stories of a forgotten people, anchored by bold visions and astounding performances. With the parallel announcement of its second season renewal with the release of its season finale, “Chapter Eight,” we had a chance to speak with Soo Hugh, the executive producer, showrunner, creator, and writer of Pachinko about her groundbreaking series. We discuss key differences between the novel and the series, working with directorial talents such as Justin Chon and Kogonada, and the universal resonance of its very specific story of a very real people. Read the full interview on The Playlist.