Pachinkocreator Soo Hugh talks about the long-term plan for the Apple TV+ drama series, teasing future seasons and more stories beyond Min Jin Lee’s bestseller. The series, while being mostly faithful to Lee’s novel, uses a non-linear timeline whentelling the story of Sunja moving from her home country to Japanacross four generations, weaving intimate family drama with historical events. With season 2 taking more risks and venturing beyond the source material, the future ofPachinkoand its characterssparks interest.
In an interview withDeadline,Hugh spokeabout the show’s future,teasing that “the dream is three or four seasons.“Together with her writing them, they are taking the story beyond the pages. She also stated that Apple has “encouraged” them to “start thinking about” the future past season 2. The creator revealed that “the idea was that the past and present collide,” which has been “the big plan.“Check out what she said below:
Apple has been really generous and supportive and they’ve encouraged us to start thinking about it. The dream is three or four seasons. If the present in the show is 1989 and we leave Sunja in the past in 1951 [at the end of Season 2], then the idea was that the past and present collide: That ’51 will become ’89. That was always the big plan for the show.
What This Means For Pachinko
Season 3 Is Very Likely To Happen
With Apple’s encouragement, the creator hints thatthe network is interested in renewing the show for future seasons.While nothing is set in stone, it seems that Hugh and the creative team have full support from the network to bring their vision to life. The creator’s comment also confirms thatPachinko’s future seasons will move past events in the source material and focus on the stories they want to tell with the show. This also indicates that the Apple TV+ show is moving further in establishing itself as a separate work from the book.
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The idea of bringing two timelines together suggests that future seasons ofPachinkowill try to create an echo across generations between past and present events, both on a greater scale and on a personal level. It seems that even thoughPachinkoseason 2 has come to an end,the creator knows exactly where to take the show from here.Her vision would require one or two more seasons to be elaborated fully.
Our Take on Pachinko’s Future
It Needs Another Season
Pachinkohas taken many risks with the adaptation. The series uses events in Lee’s novel as a blueprint, but its ambition has always been bigger than the novel. While some may favor the book, the series has taken full advantage of the media to bring the core idea and story in the novel many steps further. Theshow’s iteration arguably tells a way larger story across timelines with impact.
While there’s no official word on the third season yet, season 2 has left fans wanting more, centering around a love story against the backdrop of a world war. Thus, season 3 could potentially be bigger and more emotional. After all, the stories inPachinkoare not done yet, so ending with season 2 wouldn’t be just for the show.
