Pachinko
Pachinko is an epic historical drama series that chronicles the hopes and dreams of a Korean immigrant family across four generations, as they leave their homeland in Japanese-occupied Korea to survive and thrive. The narrative spans from the early 20th century to the late 1980s, weaving together storylines of love, loss, identity, and perseverance against a backdrop of discrimination and hardship. The series explores themes of family bonds, cultural heritage, and the search for belonging in a foreign land. It is geared towards a mature audience due to its complex themes and adult content.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe series contains significant depictions of violence, largely stemming from the historical context of Japanese occupation and war. This includes instances of physical conflict, bullying, the constant threat of violence, and acts of self-harm. Characters are subjected to discrimination and physical abuse.
A singer commits suicide by producing a knife and taking her own life on a boat while being pursued by guards. Additionally, Noa, Sunja's son, commits suicide by shooting himself in the head after abandoning his family and living under a false identity. Mozasu experiences constant bullying in school and retaliates with force. Etsuko's husband beats her and throws her out after discovering her infidelity. The broader context of war and occupation means characters live under constant threat and experience severe discrimination.
Romance and Sexual Content
HighThe series features mature romantic and sexual themes, including a central plotline involving an extramarital affair and resulting pregnancy, as well as depictions of sexual assault, sex work, and implied sexual activity. Scenes can be described as 'steamy eroticism,' though typically without outright nudity.
Sunja, at 16, becomes pregnant out of wedlock with Hansu, a married man who intended to keep her as his mistress. Hana, the daughter of Etsuko, becomes pregnant, has an abortion, and later becomes a sex worker. The series portrays sexual relationships, such as that between Solomon and Hana, and mentions 'steamy eroticism' in romantic scenes, though typically without showing outright nudity. Etsuko engages in multiple affairs.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe series contains intense and potentially disturbing content, including scenes of suicide, graphic discrimination, the pervasive threat of war and societal oppression, and personal tragedies. These elements contribute to a consistently serious and often somber tone.
The show features the suicide of a singer by knife. Noa's suicide by shooting himself in the head is a significant, shocking event. The relentless discrimination faced by Koreans in Japan, including being mocked and blamed for things, creates intense emotional distress. The setting during World War II means characters constantly face the threat of bombing and attack.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe series' source novel includes references to LGBTQ characters and themes, such as a 'gay police officer' and 'flamboyant gay orgies' in public parks. While the TV adaptation has not been explicitly cited for graphic LGBTQ scenes in available reviews, the mature nature of the source material and the series' TV-MA rating suggest that LGBTQ themes, whether implied or explicit, are present within the broader adult content. One character's husband is discovered to be gay in the novel.
The source novel includes a minor character identified as a 'gay police officer' who is an important friend to a principal character, though his representation is noted as feeling somewhat forced by one reviewer. Additionally, the novel describes 'flamboyant gay orgies in the public parks of conservative Japan,' suggesting a presence of explicit homosexual activity within the narrative. Another instance in the novel mentions a character, Ayame, discovering her husband is gay.
Profanity
MediumProfane language is present in the series, including strong expletives. While not constant, harsh language appears sporadically, particularly in moments of heightened emotion or aggression, used in dialogue and subtitles.
The series includes instances of the f-word. Other words such as 'a--,' 'b--tard,' and 'h--' also appear sporadically in the dialogue, often in Japanese or Korean with English subtitles, indicating harsh language is used.
Substance Use
MediumThe series depicts regular substance use, including alcohol and smoking, often by adult characters in various social and personal contexts. Instances of characters consuming alcohol to the point of intoxication, and engagement in illegal alcohol production are shown.
A lodger in Sunja's family home is identified as a 'drunken fisherman.' Sunja, in an effort to feed her children during wartime, engages in making 'contraband rice wine' with another woman. Solomon is shown sharing drinks with an old friend. 'Drinking and drug use crash the party' as themes within the series.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe series highlights themes of defiance against oppressive authorities and societal norms, particularly concerning the discrimination faced by Koreans in Japan. Characters also exhibit interpersonal disrespect and rebellious actions, though often as responses to extreme circumstances.
Japanese officers display extreme disrespect and use derogatory terms like 'cripple' towards Sunja's father, Hoonie, for not betraying a friend. Yoseb expresses intense anger and fury when Sunja sells Hansu's watch to repay their debt without consulting him, highlighting a conflict over authority and traditional gender roles within the family.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThe series includes a minor element of shamanistic spirituality, with a character seeking help from a shaman to address a personal concern. While not a central theme, it introduces occult practices into the narrative.
Early in the series, Yangjin, Sunja's mother, consults a shaman and asks her to 'lift the curse' of her childbearing, due to having lost multiple sons. The source novel notes the presence of shamanistic spirituality in early 20th century Korea as a contrast to Christian faith, though mentions 'zero reference' to it in the specific novel's text, which is contrasted by the TV series' explicit scene.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowChristian faith, particularly Protestantism, is a significant and often positive theme for the Baek family, with Baek Isak being a Protestant minister. While some critiques exist regarding the portrayal of Christian dialogue in the source novel, the series does not exhibit overt anti-Christian themes such as mockery or sacrilege.
Baek Isak, a Protestant minister, marries Sunja and is depicted as a kind and sacrificing individual whose faith is a strong undercurrent in the story. The Baek family's Christian faith is a major theme, serving as a factor that separates them from Japanese society. While one review of the novel noted that characters rarely refer to 'Jesus' directly, opting for 'God' instead, this is identified as an unusual portrayal rather than an anti-Christian stance.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Ages 16+ due to mature themes including sexual content, violence, suicide, strong language, and depictions of discrimination and hardship. The series' complex narrative and adult subject matter are best suited for older teenagers and adults.
Additional Notes
Pachinko is a multi-generational saga deeply rooted in historical context, exploring serious issues like colonialism, racism, and the immense struggles of immigrant life. Parents should be aware that these themes, while presented with nuance, contribute to an overall mature and often somber viewing experience.
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