Pachinko

When I first saw the trailers for this show my reaction was, oh no, another story about the struggles of poverty and war, and while there's a lot to that is told in a very interesting way where you can see the details of Korean lower class and it's interaction with the Japanese middle class.

I love reading subtitles to have the experience of the original actor/voice/culture so much is lost in dubbed scenes, and in this show they make sure you can understand when someone is speaking Japanese or Korean and why the miscommunication happens on normal circumstances.

The show subtitles Japanese in blue and Korean in yellow so it makes an unique experience, besides the dialogues and acting are very good.

This show explains to us (mainly westerners) the conflicts and collaborations between the Koreans and Japanese told from the Korean side and how they suffered the Japanese oppression but also how they thrived despite it, lovely show, can't wait for the second season.

Great cinematography, indeed- also costumes, locations, etc- technically all perfect, and very good casting. The script does not follow the book, which changes the view on characters, giving them different vibe - and also the jumping timelineis done so often and sometimes in the middle of the scene, that it does not allow the build-up of atmosphere, is pushing so many characters at the same time and prevents the viewer to really get to know them. I believe a linear story line would have been more beneficial by allowing viewers to connect to the characters, immerse in the story and also illuminate the attitude of the next generation. It seems a bit rushed and does not really gives that feeling of the family saga. Special Kudos for Kim Minha, who nailed her first leading role, and excellent performance from Lee Min Ho was perfect in Hansu. They succeeded also in expressing the relation between their characters, which is not described even in the book as love, but as passion between a 40 years old man in a loveless marriage and an innocent teenager. Looking forward to see the next episodes !

You know the actors are talented when they can draw you into a drama in a language you don't understand. Halfway through the first episode I was fully invested in the story, transported to another time and place, caring about the fate of the characters.

The story is universal - the struggle of a family to survive and live on in the next generation. It feels very authentic, the characters - even though they don't look like me or speak the same language - are people I know, people I can relate to.

I am enjoying the heck out of this series, and I can recommend it without reservation.

This is no historical drama but a story of a women who endured the pain of the horrific historical time in which she was born. Triumphant the victory of survival against all odds flung in her way by sacrificing all ties with her roots.

The marvelous casting literally takes you back to that period of time through the screen. The emotions portrayed by every character is accurate and so real that at one point I questioned myself are they really acting? With just 4 eps I am already drawn into the world of Sunja, Ko Hansu, Pastor Isak, Solomon and Pachinko.

Netflix what a loss...please provide these kind of content more coz everyone in the world deserves to see such a brilliant story.

I literally do not have words to describe how good this show is, the transition between time periods, the history and the way the story is told, the actjng has been sublime, cinematography is A+, Just the whole package has been a treat, am not really a big fan of kdrama but this feels different, very different, well done apple+ for this show.