Apple TV+'s Pachinko is back for a second season and if you are a fan of this epic series you are not going to want to miss the emotional rollercoaster that makes the finale such a gripping experience!
Noa's Journey and a Heartbreaking Revelation
The season finale begins right where episode 7 left off with Noa (played by Kang Tae-Ju), leaving for Waseda University to start a new life chapter! Noa, full of promise seems to be ready for happiness. The character falls for Akiko, someone from a wealthy Japanese family! The relationship ends, which pushes Noa to a really dramatic confrontation! That is with his father, Hansu (played by Lee Min-ho). This moment is incredibly emotional. Hansu finally reveals that Noa is his biological son!
What follows next is a hurried "goodbye" visit to Noa's mother, Sunja (played by Kim Min-ha)! While Sunja feels that something is truly wrong! She has no way to fully stop her son from moving on, before his mysterious disappearance, even though Sunja was devastated.
Family Challenges:
As one family is torn apart. Another finds some progress.
Noa's brother, Mozasu (played by Mansaku Takada) makes a big move as well! He begins a new role in a pachinko parlor, taking a step toward his future. What comes next might surprise many viewers! The series' ending takes place in the 1950s timeframe which highlights how many of the Korean characters will look to navigate the obstacles of this era as a young adult.
But that isn't where this unique adventure stops.
Noa takes a surprising turn.
- He claims a completely new identity, cutting off his ties to his former family
Then, fast forward, we get a look into 1989 as another generation continues this story!
- It also ends in sadness, when Abe (played by Yoshio Maki), is revealed to have tragically ended his own life
Noa and Hansu's Emotional Encounter:
Fans of this show and Noa know that it will hit all those major emotional triggers and this time is going to be full of action as well. While Noa begins to have these intense successes. He started at Waseda University, getting caught up in school! He has plenty to contend with, but his successes bring so much to light. Yet, Noa really is challenged in some areas, leading to more major turmoil!
There is even a confrontation that ends up leading Noa to Hansu's home in the dark. A super memorable showdown.
- Hansu reveals a difficult truth
- Noa learned Hansu is his real dad!
- Noa isn't prepared, and the ending of "Pachinko," for him, will end up becoming something far more complicated
The Revenge Scheme:
Naomi (played by Anna Sawai), the main character known for getting into those intense financial battles! In Pachinko's season 2 penultimate episode had Naomi called in to address what could possibly break her world!
In Pachinko's season 2 finale, Naomi was caught by surprise, and you will have some really great suspenseful moments to enjoy as well.
- Naomi has broken Shiffley's security protocols and loses her job.
- It turns out Solomon (played by Jin Ha), was her secret betrayer!
- Even worse was what happened to Abe, as some tragic news came about. This unfortunate event changed many of Solomon's ideas! The character shows he does have some moral issues and feelings of guilt that he feels from doing bad deeds against Naomi. It's not entirely clear where it's going from there!
Noa's Farewell Visit To Sunja:
Noa, after such an immense emotional turmoil! And in this special journey gets the strength and inspiration to visit his mom! You could almost expect this to be incredibly heart-wrenching! In what can only be described as a super painful ending to this big arc in Pachinko!
But Noa takes the initiative.
- Noa is there just to say goodbye.
- Sunja tries everything possible to keep Noa around!
- She wasn't successful as Noa vanished.
- Sunja seeks Hansu's help! but is eventually alone, realizing the sacrifices that were made for Noa.
- Noa gets himself a new identity! The amazing character takes on a brand new name Ogawa Minato.
Mozasu's Future and Sunja's Family:
There is a compelling view for how different each of Sunja's sons are!
In an emotional turning point, Mozasu gets an unexpected and amazing chance to work in a pachinko parlor! After a wild turn! Mozasu was offered work!
- Sunja took this as a positive move!
Kato's Past And Sunja's Decision:
If you haven't guessed already, Pachinko doesn't slow down!
A few of the big reveals bring Sunja to this confrontation.
- Mozasu decided to hire a private investigator, with Kato (played by Jun Kunimura), his mother's new friend at the center of the whole scheme. This may lead fans to some big revelations, but it shows this son's deep commitment to protect those that matter to him!
- It turned out Kato had done something heinous: The character confessed about WWII events and ended up confessing about some murders
- Sunja found out Kato played a horrible role in the WWII massacre of 139 American POWs! It didn't stop their budding relationship! Sunja didn't take what happened to those lives, lightly, deciding that the friendship had to come to an end! That ends her new relationship.
Kyunghee and Mr. Kim's Unresolved Romance:
Kyunghee (played by Jung Eun-chae) had an emotional, complex and intense relationship with Mr. Kim (played by Kim Sung-kyu)! Kyunghee had this huge relationship, an affair even! with Mr. Kim while married to Yoseb (played by Han Jun-woo)!
- Things were intense as Yoseb learned about this affair and the episode brought us the painful confrontation with Mr. Kim!
- Mr. Kim prepared to leave Korea to go to another war, a pivotal turning point
- In the end, this pair has an unforgettable meeting!
- Kyunghee is faithful to her marriage. A heartbreaking ending for the viewers, who might feel like they have something special between them. It also makes it hard not to imagine where the journey may take everyone. There was no ending for that relationship and is left open ended to those looking forward to a third season.
It seems that every character got this dramatic finale that made Pachinko what it really is! This drama makes people remember this show, and gives an indication of how meaningful Pachinko truly is, not just in its action sequences but those raw moments that truly feel authentic and raw, giving an important statement on generational traumas as families fight against social injustices, bringing many layers to audiences everywhere! This may be something audiences want more of. For anyone who missed the prior episodes or hasn't seen Pachinko. It's a must-watch that's currently on Apple TV, as there's really something special to explore!
