This post contains details from the first episode ofPachinkoSeason 2.
Sunja is very much the foundation of our show.
DEADLINE:The intro and opening credits have a different song and different sequence from Season 1.
L-R: Koh Hansu (Lee Min-ho) and Sunja (Minha Kim) in ‘Pachinko’ Season 2Apple TV+
What made you want to switch it up?
Thats the nature of the show.
As life moves on, weve always said, characters come in and out.
So we [thought], Lets just do a new title sequence.
So instead of outdoing Season 1, how to just bring it more into the DNA of our show.
So we really wanted all of our characters in it, and so a lot more actors appear.
I think it feels still like that celebration that we wanted.
DEADLINE:You mentioned Sunja as the anchor of the show.
What tone does this set for Season 2?
Hugh:Thats such a good question.
So if you look at the Nagasaki bombing, that light comes at you.
So we really want to just open with a bang on season 2.
This is what happens on the home front to those who are left behind.
I thought I knew a lot about World War II.
I took a World War II class.
And then learning about the fire-bombing, it was enormous.
The number of Japanese lives lost, the number of cities destroyed.
I never realized the devastation on that scale.
I wish we could spend more time on that in our show.
Hopefully one day someone will make a show about that because its such an important story.
DEADLINE:How did you envision the arcs of Sunjas sons and their growing up?
Hugh:You have both Noa and Mozasu, who were born in Japan.
Whats really interesting is theyre really the next generation after Sunja, who question, Am I Japanese?
Am I a mix?
How do you even answer such a complicated question like that?
We always said the best performance should be cast.
And it really is a testament to all four of those boys that they achieve that natural effect.
We meet a college-age Noa at the end of the season.
