Pachinko avoids the cliches of the K-drama, instead settles for an European soap drama style with plenty of depth, chronicling the plight of a Korean family under the Japanese occupation and juxtaposing that with life in 1989, all in brilliant cinematic storytelling.
This series does not shy away from the effects of Japan's forced occupation on Korea. It plays out with an emotional impact from the viewpoint of Sunja's life via the unique structure in blending timelines. From Sunja's youth under Japan's stranglehold to that of her grandson in 1989. It depicts the various stages of Japan's influences on Sunja's family life, from war torn times to the might of the financial impact that Japan displayed during the 80's.
It is an engrossing drama that reveals the horrors of life under a brutal occupation, and the long term effects it has on generational lives. All through the eyes of a strong protagonist, Sunja, played brilliantly by the various actors.
