Apple TV+’s Pachinko has always done a wonderful job of weaving together the two alternating storylines. In the latest season, Sunja (played by Minha Kim as a young woman and Youn Yuh-jung as an older woman) faces the challenge of surviving WWII in 1945 while worrying about her grandson, Solomon (Jin Ha), in 1989.
Sunja is a strong matriarch who consistently puts her family’s safety and well-being before her own. In Episode 4, Sunja is reminded that her past will always affect her present, no matter how far she tries to escape it. However, she also sees that the world can still bring surprises, even during her struggles.
A Welcome Guest Joins Sunja’s Family in Pachinko Season 2 Episode 4
The episode begins with Mozasu (Eun-seong Kwon) having a heartfelt conversation with Mr. Kim (Kim Sungkyu). Mozasu, a young boy, switches effortlessly between Korean and Japanese when speaking, showing that he easily embraces both cultures in his identity.
Mozasu tells Mr. Kim that Noa (Kim Kang-hoon) has become no fun since they evacuated to the countryside, but Mr. Kim reminds him that Noa is now the head of the household. This is both a burden and an honor. As the eldest, Noa carries great responsibility, especially after Isak’s death.
The scene shifts to Noa and his former classmate, Minoru (Kaito Takamura), walking through the fields. They have grown close since Noa spared Minoru after catching him stealing in the previous episode.
Minoru apologizes for teasing Noa so harshly when they live in the city. The two boys observe insects on a log, and Noa notes that although they seem unpleasant now, “they’ll reveal themselves soon.” This serves as a metaphor for growing up.
While Sunja works in the rice paddies, a car arrives with Hansu and a special guest. Sunja is shocked to see her mother, Yangjin (Inji Jeong), stepping out of the car. They run to each other and embrace, reunited after many years.
At dinner, Mozasu eagerly questions his grandmother about her journey from Korea, switching between languages as he speaks. Yangjin, who doesn’t understand Japanese, reminds the boys, “You must not forget that you are Korean.”
Hansu returns later, and it becomes clear that Sunja owes him even more now for reuniting her with Yangjin. Although reluctant, Sunja invites Hansu to stay for dinner, allowing him to remain connected to her and her family.
Hansu and Sunja Reconnect
Later, Sunja takes a walk at night, and Hansu pulls up beside her in his car. He asks if she’s ever driven a car before, and when she says no, he tells her, “Everyone should drive a car at least once in their life.” He gives Sunja a driving lesson.
Though she struggles at first, she eventually relaxes, and soon they are speeding down the dirt road. But when they hit a fallen branch, they crash off to the side. They both get out to push the car from the mud and manage to free it.
Hansu, still fixated on Sunja, kisses her. Sunja kisses him back but quickly stops when she hears a noise in the fields. She feels guilty, remembering that her husband died not long ago. Hansu, frustrated by her reluctance, asks, “How much longer must you serve that grave?” He insists she deserves happiness, but Sunja believes it’s too late for her.
When Sunja returns home, Yangjin has figured everything out. She knows that Hansu is Noa’s real father, but she reminds Sunja that “the boy must never know.”
Sunja, desperate for her mother to understand, insists she has always tried to live with dignity and be a good mother. With determination in her eyes, Sunja declares, “I remembered myself.” This shows that she is still torn between duty and her own desires.
Meanwhile, Hansu doesn’t handle Sunja’s rejection well. After discovering his foreman has been stealing chickens, Hansu viciously beats the man. What he doesn’t realize is that Noa and Minoru are nearby, watching the entire scene.
Horrified, Noa runs away, and Hansu realizes that his son has witnessed the violent act. Noa had admired Hansu (without knowing his true identity), and it will be interesting to see how their relationship develops after this event.
This violent scene with Hansu is juxtaposed with a more tender moment of Yangjin helping Sunja bathe, symbolizing Sunja washing away her sins just as Hansu commits more.
Sunja Tries to Help Solomon
In 1989, Sunja wakes up from a dream and immediately calls Solomon, but she only reaches his answering machine. As usual, Sunja takes matters into her own hands and goes directly to Solomon’s apartment.
Though she critiques him (asking, “When was the last time you cleaned?”), she says she had a dream and needed to talk to him. Before she can share more, Naomi (Anna Sawai) arrives for her date with Solomon. Sunja convinces both of them to stay since she brought plenty of food.
While Solomon is on the phone with Tom (Jimmi Simpson), who confirms that the hotel is backing out, Sunja and Naomi bond. Sunja gives Naomi cooking tips, and Naomi admits she doesn’t cook often, but her mother used to when she was young.
Sunja relates, explaining that “cooking was how I made my living” and that “food made for others and food made for your family” always taste different. She reassures Naomi that her mother’s food must have been wonderful.
It is a sweet moment of connection between two women from different generations and cultures. Naomi also reveals that Solomon faced challenges at work, and she admired how he stood up for himself, saying, “I’ve never seen anyone take a stand like that before.”
During dinner, Naomi shares that she is working on a deal with Yotsuba Finance and that Solomon inspired her. When Naomi mentions that Solomon’s deal also went through, Sunja is puzzled, knowing that Han Geum-ja (Park Hye-jin) had promised not to sell her land.
Solomon assures her that Han changed her mind and made a lot of money. But later, as Solomon walks Sunja back to her hotel, she tells him she won’t ask more about the deal because she doesn’t want to hear him lie. She asks him to remember one thing: “Do not forget who you are.”
This advice echoes what Yangjin told her grandsons in 1945. Sunja’s biggest fear is that Solomon might lose his empathy and become focused only on wealth and power.
Solomon and Naomi have a love scene, officially beginning their relationship. In the final scene of the 1989 timeline, Sunja calls Kato (Jun Kunimura) from her hotel room. He says he has been waiting for her call. They talk about Solomon’s girlfriend, and although Sunja notes she’s Japanese, she accepts it, saying, “It is what it is.”
They discuss the differences in younger generations, but Kato reminds Sunja that although they’ve seen much in life, they now have the choice to pursue what makes them happy.
Kyunghee and Mr. Kim Struggle With Their Feelings
Another important storyline occurs in the 1945 timeline. Since their arrival in the countryside, Kyunghee (Jung Eun-chae) and Mr. Kim have been drawn to each other. They work together and live in the same house, often exchanging longing glances.
Mr. Kim confesses that, had they been in Korea, he wouldn’t even have been able to speak to her because of her higher status. But the war has made them equals.
He tries to comfort her, saying they’ll return to the city someday. He also admits that her sadness pains him because he feels powerless to help her. Kyunghee brushes off his attempts to connect, saying they should not presume there is friendship between them.
In the final moments of the episode, the family works in the fields when they hear a loud siren. At first, they fear an air raid, but it turns out to be a fire alarm. The barn, along with their crops, burns to the ground, and all their hard work is destroyed.
The next morning, they sift through the ruins, and Kyunghee, overwhelmed by emotion, runs into the woods. Mr. Kim follows her, and she cries, “We worked so hard. How can it all be gone?” He tells her that he knows life is short and must be lived fully.
As she collapses in despair, Mr. Kim kneels beside her, and they share a kiss. They realize that nothing is guaranteed for the future, and living in the present is the only way to find true happiness.
Episode Reflections
Episode 4 showcases the impressive acting that Pachinko is known for, with particularly moving scenes between young Sunja and her mother and between Sunja and Naomi. The episode blends the storylines beautifully, linking each moment seamlessly.
However, one unanswered question is about Sunja’s dream, which prompted her to visit Solomon. The dream likely reminded her that her grandson needed her guidance again.
Sunja’s family remains her top priority, and her instincts told her that Solomon required her wisdom and support. With two couples now acting on their feelings, Pachinko seems to be setting the stage for future romances in upcoming episodes.
