What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedPachinko
Soo Hugh · Series · 2022
If you loved Pachinko, start with Pachinko (Min Jin Lee, 2017) — a book from the same story. Below: 4 books, 2 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Pachinko across media.
What hooked you in Pachinko was the way the sweeping scale of history becomes an intimate, heart-wrenching study of family resilience.
Start with the source
Books on the same thread
Homegoing
Yaa Gyasi · Book · 2016
Shares 2 threads with Pachinko: Intergenerational trauma, Cultural identity.
Like Pachinko, this novel tracks the long shadow of intergenerational trauma across generations, focusing on how ancestral legacies and historical displacement shape the identity of descendants over time.
The Joy Luck Club
Amy Tan · Book · 1990
Shares 3 threads with Pachinko: Cultural Identity, Intergenerational Trauma, Family Saga.
If you valued the complex mother-daughter dynamics and cultural struggles in Pachinko, this story offers a deeply moving exploration of the emotional ties that bridge two distinct generations.
The Good Earth
Pearl S. Buck · Book · 2004
Shares 2 threads with Pachinko: Resilience, Family Saga.
This classic shares the grounded, historical perspective found in Pachinko, focusing on the endurance of a family navigating profound social change and the persistent struggle for survival.
Inheritors
Asako Serizawa · Book · 2020
Shares 3 threads with Pachinko: Intergenerational Trauma, Cultural Identity, Family Saga.
Fans of Pachinko will recognize the fragmented, multi-generational scope here, as these stories masterfully weave personal identity into the brutal realities of colonialism and the displacement of war.
Films on the same thread
Minari
Lee Isaac Chung · Film · 2021
Shares 2 threads with Pachinko: Cultural Identity, Immigrant Story.
This film captures the same tender, resilient spirit found in Pachinko, focusing on the immigrant experience and the quiet strength required to build a home in unfamiliar territory.
Past Lives
Celine Song · Film · 2023
Shares a thread with Pachinko: Cultural Identity.
This film echoes the poignant, melancholic exploration of identity and fate seen in Pachinko, focusing on the choices that define a life when one is caught between cultures.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Archers
Podcast
Explores: family life, community, farming.
Those drawn to the serialized, character-driven family saga in Pachinko will appreciate this long-running drama, which excels at portraying the intricacies of multi-generational life and community bonds.
Inherited
Podcast
Explores: family history, traditions, cultural heritage.
This podcast mirrors the thematic depth of Pachinko by examining how the relics and rituals passed down through generations ultimately define our sense of self and cultural heritage.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Pachinko based on a book?
Yes, the 2022 television series Pachinko is an adaptation of the 2017 novel of the same name. Both versions follow the same sweeping saga of a Korean immigrant family across four generations as they strive to survive and thrive after leaving their homeland.
What is the story of Pachinko about?
Pachinko chronicles the hopes and dreams of a Korean immigrant family spanning four generations. The narrative focuses on their indomitable quest to survive and thrive after leaving their homeland, exploring the challenges and experiences faced by the family throughout their long journey.
Should I read the book Pachinko before watching the series?
You can enjoy either the 2017 book or the 2022 television adaptation of Pachinko independently. Both formats cover the same multi-generational saga of a Korean immigrant family, allowing you to choose the medium that best fits your preference for experiencing this story.
Does the Pachinko series cover the entire book?
The 2022 television series Pachinko adapts the 2017 novel by Soo Hugh. Both the book and the series follow the same core narrative arc, which chronicles the journey of a Korean immigrant family and their efforts to build a life across four generations.