Pachinko Cast brings to life the epic story of a Korean family’s survival and resilience across generations. Featuring Lee Min-ho as the morally complex Han Su, Kim Min-ha as the young Sunja, Youn Yuh-jung as the older Sunja, and Jung Woo-sung as Baek Isak, the series highlights themes of identity, love, and sacrifice. With powerful performances from a diverse cast, Pachinko explores the challenges of cultural assimilation, generational conflict, and the pursuit of dreams.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Pachinko is an emotionally powerful and visually stunning South Korean drama based on Min Jin Lee’s critically acclaimed novel of the same name. The series spans multiple generations, chronicling the struggles and triumphs of a Korean family in Japan, navigating the challenges of identity, love, survival, and sacrifice. At the heart of Pachinko is Sunja, a woman whose choices impact not only her life but also the futures of her children and grandchildren. With a standout cast led by Lee Min-ho, Kim Min-ha, and Youn Yuh-jung, the drama delves deep into themes of family, resilience, and the complexities of cultural assimilation. Set against the backdrop of historical and societal struggles, Pachinko is a compelling story of hope, heartache, and the pursuit of a better life.
Pachinko Cast
Lee Min-ho as Han Su
- Role: Han Su is a Korean man living in Japan who becomes deeply involved in the lives of the family at the heart of Pachinko. He has a complex and morally ambiguous character, often making tough decisions that affect those around him. His role explores themes of identity, love, and survival, as he strives to improve his status in a society that discriminates against him for being Korean.
Kim Min-ha as Sunja (Young)
- Role: Sunja is the central character of Pachinko, whose life is profoundly shaped by the choices she makes. As a young woman, she falls in love with Han Su, and after an unplanned pregnancy, she chooses to marry a kind pastor, Isak, instead of Han Su, which sets the stage for her life’s journey. Kim Min-ha portrays Sunja with a combination of strength and vulnerability, bringing depth to her journey through hardship, love, and sacrifice.
Youn Yuh-jung as Sunja (Older)
- Role: Youn Yuh-jung plays the older version of Sunja, the matriarch of the family. She carries with her the weight of generations of history, loss, and love. Known for her incredible acting talent, Youn Yuh-jung’s portrayal of Sunja reflects the resilience and sacrifices of a mother and grandmother, making her a pivotal figure in the series.
Jung Woo-sung as Baek Isak
- Role: Baek Isak is a kind-hearted pastor who marries Sunja and brings her to Japan, where they start a family together. His character represents hope, faith, and the pursuit of a better life in the face of racial and societal adversity. Isak’s role is essential in shaping Sunja’s path and guiding her through the challenges she faces.
Soji Arai as Mozasu
- Role: Mozasu is Sunja and Isak’s son, and his story is crucial to the generational narrative of Pachinko. Raised in a challenging environment, he grows up to become involved in the pachinko industry, which is central to the series’ title and themes. His relationship with his family and his struggle with identity and legacy are vital to the story.
Jin Ha as Solomon (Young)
- Role: Solomon is the grandson of Sunja, and his character bridges the generational gap in Pachinko. As a young man, Solomon seeks success and recognition, navigating the complexities of his Korean-Japanese identity. His role explores themes of assimilation, generational conflict, and the pursuit of the “American Dream.”
Anna Sawai as Naomi
- Role: Naomi is a complex character who becomes intertwined with Solomon’s life and his ambitions. Her character explores the impact of love, betrayal, and societal expectations in a world shaped by cultural and generational divides.
Kyu Hyun-lee as Yoshiko
- Role: Yoshiko is a Japanese woman who becomes involved with the family and plays a significant role in shaping their experiences in Japan. She offers a different perspective on the conflicts faced by the Korean characters, highlighting the complexity of relationships in a divided society.
Supporting cast
Steve Sang-Hyun Noh as Young Mozasu
- Role: A pivotal character, Young Mozasu is the son of Sunja and Isak, who grows up facing discrimination and adversity in Japan. His character portrays the journey of a second-generation immigrant trying to navigate the harsh realities of identity, family expectations, and survival.
Mio Kanno as Yoshiko
- Role: Yoshiko is a significant character who becomes involved with the family, offering a different perspective on the Japanese-Korean relations. Her presence brings added complexity to the family’s relationships and their experiences in a divided society.
Kang Bu-ja as Baek Isak’s Mother
- Role: The supportive but traditional figure in the family, she adds to the emotional weight of Sunja and Isak’s life in Japan. Her wisdom and adherence to family values highlight the generational differences in the family’s journey.
Jin Ha as Solomon (Young)
- Role: Solomon, Sunja’s grandson, represents the third generation of the family. His ambition and struggle with his identity as a Korean-Japanese in modern society are central to the plot. Solomon’s character bridges the generational gaps and explores the challenges of assimilation, success, and legacy.
Anna Sawai as Naomi
- Role: Naomi’s character plays an important role in Solomon’s life and highlights issues of betrayal, love, and cultural conflict. She brings to light the complexities of personal relationships amidst the broader struggles the family faces.
Joo Yeong-hoon as Noa
- Role: Noa is another key member of the family and contributes to the evolving dynamics between the characters. His relationship with his family members reflects the struggles of being caught between two worlds, especially when it comes to loyalty and expectations.
Kyu Hyun-lee as Mrs. Hye-suk
- Role: Mrs. Hye-suk is a character whose relationship with the family shapes several important events in the drama, as she deals with issues of loyalty and standing up for her beliefs in the face of societal pressures.
Yoshimura as Mio Kanno’s Father
- Role: Mio’s father plays a small but important role in highlighting the generational divide and expectations placed on individuals in Japanese society. His character adds emotional depth to the conflict faced by characters trying to navigate their dual identities.
Conclusion
Pachinko is a powerful and moving drama that beautifully captures the struggles, sacrifices, and triumphs of a Korean family across multiple generations. Through its exceptional supporting cast and stellar performances from the main leads, the series explores themes of identity, survival, love, and the complexities of cultural assimilation. Characters like Sunja, portrayed by Kim Min-ha and Youn Yuh-jung, and Han Su played by Lee Min-ho, are deeply intertwined with the powerful performances of the supporting cast, such as Jin Ha, Anna Sawai, and others, who bring the rich narrative to life. The series not only highlights the challenges faced by the family but also celebrates the resilience and determination that define their journey. Pachinko stands as an unforgettable saga of hope, loss, and the pursuit of a better future, making it a must-watch for viewers seeking a compelling, multi-layered family drama.
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(FAQs)
Who plays Sunja in Pachinko?
Kim Min-ha plays the young Sunja, the central character of the story. Youn Yuh-jung portrays the older version of Sunja, showing the character’s growth and resilience over the years.
Who is the male lead in Pachinko?
The male lead, Han Su, is portrayed by Lee Min-ho. His character plays a significant role in Sunja’s life, and his morally complex decisions impact the family’s journey.
Who plays Sunja’s husband, Baek Isak?
Jung Woo-sung plays Baek Isak, Sunja’s kind-hearted husband. His role is crucial in Sunja’s decision to marry him and start a family, which shapes much of the storyline.
Who plays the role of Solomon in Pachinko?
Jin Ha plays Solomon, Sunja’s grandson. He is a key character in the third generation, dealing with his Korean-Japanese identity and striving for success in a complex and often discriminatory world.
Who portrays the older version of Solomon?
Steve Sang-Hyun Noh plays Mozasu, the son of Sunja and Isak, who becomes an important character as he grows up and enters the world of pachinko gambling.
What is the role of Yoshiko in Pachinko?
Mio Kanno plays Yoshiko, a character who becomes involved with the family and explores the tensions between the Japanese and Korean characters in the series.
Is Pachinko based on a true story?
While Pachinko is not a direct recount of true events, it is based on the novel by Min Jin Lee, which portrays the struggles and experiences of Korean immigrants in Japan. The characters are fictional, but their experiences reflect the real hardships faced by many in that historical context.
What other notable roles has Youn Yuh-jung played?
Youn Yuh-jung is an acclaimed actress known for her roles in films like Minari, where she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her portrayal of the older Sunja in Pachinko brings the depth and wisdom of her character to life.
Is Pachinko Lee Min-ho’s first historical drama?
No, Lee Min-ho has appeared in historical dramas before, such as Faith (2012) and The King: Eternal Monarch (2020). His role in Pachinko showcases a more complex and emotionally layered character compared to his previous roles.
How does the cast portray the theme of identity in Pachinko?
The cast of Pachinko navigates the theme of identity through their characters’ struggles with being Korean in Japan. Characters like Sunja and Solomon face challenges of cultural assimilation, discrimination, and generational conflict, exploring what it means to belong and how one defines themselves in a divided society.