Where to start
Pachinko
2 versions · originally a book, 2017
Pachinko is an expansive, multigenerational saga exploring the resilience, identity, and sacrifice of a Korean family navigating displacement in Japan.
✦ Most fans start here
Pachinko (2017)
The original novel
✦ Start herePachinko
Min Jin Lee · Book · 2017
The 2017 book offers an intimate, sprawling literary portrait that delves deeply into the complex historical nuances and internal lives of four generations of a Korean family across eight decades.
2022 series
Pachinko
Soo Hugh · Series · 2022
The 2022 TV series provides a visually arresting, sweeping adaptation that emphasizes the emotional weight and atmospheric struggle of the immigrant experience through a contemporary, multi-layered cinematic lens.
Common questions
Is Pachinko based on a true story?
Pachinko is a 2017 novel by Min Jin Lee that follows a Korean family across four generations. While the book is a work of historical fiction, it is deeply researched and reflects the real experiences of Zainichi Koreans living in Japan during the twentieth century.
Should I read the book Pachinko before watching the TV series?
You can enjoy either version independently, but reading the 2017 book provides more extensive historical context for the characters. The 2022 TV adaptation follows the core narrative of the novel while adjusting the structure and pacing to suit the episodic television format.
What order should I experience Pachinko in?
There is no required order, as both the 2017 book and the 2022 television series are standalone adaptations of the same source material. Many fans choose to read the book first to gain a deeper understanding of the family timeline before viewing the visual adaptation.
How long is the Pachinko TV series compared to the book?
The 2017 book Pachinko covers a multi-generational saga spanning decades in a single volume. The 2022 TV series adapts this narrative over multiple episodes, allowing for expanded visual storytelling. Both formats aim to capture the complex journey of the family across the twentieth century.