In the Apple TV+ original series Pachinko, some of the most heart-wrenching and emotionally charged moments revolve around Sunja, a character portrayed by both Minha Kim and Yuh-Jung Youn. The show beautifully interweaves her story across multiple generations, capturing the complexities of her life as a mother and survivor in war-torn times. However, one scene in particular stands out as one of the most raw and powerful: Sunja’s final conversation with her eldest son, Noa, in the season finale of Season 2.
Spoilers ahead for "Pachinko" Season 2.
The emotional weight of this moment is heightened not only by the performances but also by the depth of the characters themselves. In many ways, Season 2 shifts focus toward Noa, a character who, despite his best efforts to lead a peaceful and successful life, finds himself caught between the harsh realities of his family’s past and the weight of his father’s influence. Hansu, portrayed by Lee Minho, plays a pivotal role in this season, making his way back into Sunja’s life. Desperate to provide his son with the best opportunities, Hansu frees Sunja’s husband from prison and offers her family a safe place to live during the turbulent times of America’s nuclear bombings.
It’s fascinating to watch Hansu slowly become more involved in Sunja and Noa’s lives. By the time Noa reaches university age, Hansu has transitioned into more than just a figure from Sunja’s past—he becomes a father figure and mentor to Noa, unknowingly bonding with his biological son. However, when Noa eventually learns the truth about who Hansu truly is, everything he knows about his family and his own existence shatters. It’s a devastating revelation that turns Noa’s world upside down.
One of the most poignant moments comes in Chapter Sixteen, when Noa leaves university and returns home, unexpectedly appearing in the middle of the night. The encounter between him and Sunja is brief but emotionally charged. Noa doesn’t confront his mother about his turmoil; instead, he tells her that he loves her and that he misses home. After this heart-wrenching expression, he wanders off, leaving both his mother and the audience in a state of emotional suspension.
Reflecting on this scene, Minha Kim, who plays the younger Sunja, shared her thoughts with TheWrap. “When Noa first appeared in our home, I felt very weird, like his behavior was very weird,” she said. "I could see the sorrow in his eyes."
Kim’s description perfectly encapsulates the emotional undercurrent running through this scene. As Noa leaves, Sunja initially feels unsettled but not overly concerned. It’s only when she begins to realize that Noa sought her out intentionally, as a final goodbye, that panic and heartbreak start to consume her. This moment marks a significant shift for Sunja, who up until this point has been unshakable in the face of life’s adversities.
“Before then, Sunja was not that shocked by anything else. Nothing can scare Sunja at all,” Kim explained. "But after that last episode, she’s frightened, and she’s afraid of all things that could happen."
Sunja’s transformation from a woman hardened by life’s struggles into one consumed by fear and heartbreak is palpable, and Kim’s portrayal of this shift is nothing short of breathtaking. The raw vulnerability she brings to this moment leaves viewers feeling just as devastated as her character.
But as difficult as this scene was for Minha Kim to tackle, it wasn’t the hardest one of the season for her. Surprisingly, the most challenging scene came earlier in the season, when Sunja has to persuade Noa to go to college instead of staying home to support his family. Despite the grand scale of the season, which includes depictions of World War II and the deep emotional struggles between Sunja’s two great loves, this intimate family moment proved to be the toughest.
“I didn’t know how to persuade him. I got mad, but I felt sorry for him. I wanted to comfort him, but he wasn’t listening to me. So, should I yell at him?” Kim said, walking through her process for this complex scene. “I remember that day was my hardest day ever because I couldn’t figure out what to do to make his mind turn over. But I guess that was the point of the scene, which was very, very painful.”
This candid revelation from Kim offers a glimpse into the emotional toll that acting in a series like Pachinko can take on its cast. The relationship between Sunja and Noa is one of the show’s most nuanced, and the tension between them in this scene is palpable. Kim’s struggle to find the right balance between frustration and compassion mirrors the internal conflict that Sunja herself feels as a mother who wants to see her son succeed but also needs him to be close to her.
After filming this intense scene, Kim admitted that it took a toll on her emotionally. “I felt I was lost,” she said, recounting how difficult it was to find peace after shooting the scene. It’s this level of commitment and emotional investment that has helped make Pachinko such a powerful and resonant show.
As viewers, it’s easy to become so engrossed in the storyline that we forget the emotional toll it can take on the actors. But hearing Kim’s reflections reminds us that the stories that move us most deeply often come from a place of genuine vulnerability and emotional honesty.
Key Takeaways:
- Pachinko’s second season places a significant focus on the relationship between Sunja and Noa, exploring themes of identity, family, and sacrifice.
- Hansu, played by Lee Minho, returns to Sunja’s life, influencing both her and her son, Noa, as he steps into a paternal role.
- Noa’s discovery of his father’s true identity marks a turning point in the season, shattering his perception of his family and his place in the world.
- Minha Kim, who plays the younger Sunja, shared that the most challenging scene for her wasn’t the emotionally charged final conversation with Noa but an earlier moment when Sunja tries to persuade Noa to attend college.
- The emotional depth of Pachinko is amplified by the incredible performances from the cast, who have invested deeply in their characters' emotional journeys.
As Pachinko continues to unfold, it’s these complex relationships and the deeply human moments that make the series stand out. Sunja’s journey is far from over, and as we see her world evolve and change, it’s clear that the weight of the past continues to shape her future in ways that are both heartbreaking and deeply relatable. For viewers, the emotional stakes couldn’t be higher, making Pachinko one of the most compelling and unforgettable series in recent memory.
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