Pachinko: A Sweeping Saga of Love, Sacrifice, and Survival

"Living everyday in the presence of those who refuse to acknowledge your humanity takes great courage."

In the shadow of Japanese-occupied Korea in the early 1900s, young Sunja, the cherished daughter of a humble yet proud family, finds her life upended when an unplanned pregnancy threatens to bring disgrace upon her household. Her secret lover, a powerful and enigmatic yakuza, offers her wealth and protection—but never the dignity of marriage.

Faced with a future of shame and struggle, Sunja's fate takes an unexpected turn when a compassionate yet ailing Christian minister, Isak, steps forward with an offer of marriage. Accepting his proposal, she leaves behind everything she has ever known, embarking on a journey to an unfamiliar land—Japan—where Koreans are treated as second-class citizens, condemned to hardship and prejudice.

From the bustling markets of Busan to the grim tenements of Osaka, from the devastation of war to the shimmering allure of the pachinko parlors, Min Jin Lee’s Pachinko unfolds over four generations, chronicling the resilience, ambition, and heartbreak of a family caught in the ruthless currents of history. A masterpiece of storytelling, it is a profound exploration of identity, love, and the sacrifices made for those who come after us.