In Pachinko season 2, episode 4 explored the limits of Hansu's (Lee Min-ho) supposed generosity. Although he reunited Sunja with her mother, he also expected more from Sunja in return. However, Sunja drew a firm line in the sand, which upset Hansu.

Additionally, Mr. Kim (Kim Sungkyu) expressed his true feelings to Kyunghee (Jung Eun-chae), who, understandably, is still worried about the unknown fate of her husband, Yoseb. Sunja's boys, Noa (Kim Kang-hoon) and Mozasu (Eunseong Kwon), continued to settle into their new life in the countryside, though Noa learned some harsh truths about Hansu's demeanor. After inviting himself to the family's dinner, Hansu beat the rice field's Foreman to a bloody pulp, which Noa witnessed. In 1989, Solomon (Jin Ha) received a warning from the elder Sunja (Youn Yuh-jung) after she met Naomi (Shogun's Emmy-winning Anna Sawai).

6 Pachinko Season 2 Reveals That Yoseb Is Stationed In Nagasaki

Yoseb Meets A Man Who Reminds Him Of Isak

Although he didn't witness Isak's fate in Pachinko season 2, episode 2, Yoseb continues to his brother fondly in the show's fifth outing. Stationed at a factory in Nagasaki, Yoseb is the only core family member who hasn't made it to Hansu's countryside refuge, which has made things complicated for Kyunghee. At the factory, Yoseb continues to deal with anti-Korean bigotry, even as the Allied Forces' imminent bombing of Nagasaki looms. In order to reiterate the horrors that are about to unfold, Pachinko season 2, episode 5 chooses to display its opening sequence in black and white.

In cities like Nagasaki, however, all hope or fleeting moments of joy have been completely drained away. Even so, Yoseb insists on doing whatever it takes to survive.

The sequence stands in stark contrast to the beautifully lensed moments in the countryside. Although war and violence are ever-present menaces for Sunja and her family, there is some modicum of safety in the rice fields. In cities like Nagasaki, however, all hope or fleeting moments of joy have been completely drained away. Even so, Yoseb insists on doing whatever it takes to survive. It's a mantra that he repeats to a fellow Korean worker, Taehoon (Baek Su-ho), who reminds Yoseb a lot of Isak.

The similarities between Taehoon and Isak become even more apparent when Yoseb catches his new friend pocketing a chisel. Knowing that even rumored acts of violence led to Isak's death, Yoseb warns Taehoon against acting out. Much like Isak, Taehoon is determined to stand up for what he believes in. When the Emperor's advisor pays a visit to the factory, Taehoon strikes, aiming to send a message. However, his efforts are cut short by an even more harrowing moment.

5 The Allied Forces Drop An Atomic Bomb On Nagasaki

Pachinko Season 2 Illustrates The Horrors Of World War II

For the duration of Pachinko season 2, Hansu has warned Sunja, Mr. Kim, and the rest of Pachinko's cast of characters about the impending Allied Forces' bombing of Japan's biggest cities. In the fifth episode, which takes place on August 9, 1945, that threat finally comes to . When everyone gathers on the factory floor to welcome the Emperor's agent, Taehoon lunges for the guest. Yoseb tries to stop Taehoon from using the weapon, knowing that his actions will have dire consequences. That's when the clock strikes 11:02.

It's a sparse-yet-effective means of emphasizing the complete devastation wrought by the Allied Forces' atomic bomb.

Although Yoseb is stabbed in the shoulder by Taehoon, that's the least of his worries. The two Korean men are removed from the scene, but, at the same time, a blinding white light fills the screen. What comes next is total darkness. It's a sparse yet effective means of emphasizing the complete devastation wrought by the Allied Forces' atomic bomb. While Pachinko season 2 certainly builds toward the moment, the actual bombing happens in a flash. It emphasizes just how quickly lives can change — and end.

Pachinko has never shied away from showing the brutality of warfare and its terrible fallout. Once again, the show makes a bold and disorienting choice that feels like a gut punch. There's no doubt that the aftershock will linger long after, affecting not just Yoseb and Sunja's family, but the entire country for decades to come.

4 Yoseb Survives The Atomic Bomb

Hansu Takes Yoseb To The Countryside Until Osaka Is Safe

In the aftermath of the atomic bombing, Pachinko reveals that Yoseb survived the atrocity. Not only that, but Hansu has yet again aided Sunja's extended family by rescuing Yoseb from the wreckage of Nagasaki and bringing him to the countryside. Hansu explains that Yoseb only survived because of the van, which he was thrown into after Taehoon's attack. In a strange way, Taehoon did save someone. Yoseb learns that the bombings effectively brought the war to a screeching halt. Whatever relief Yoseb might feel is cut short, however, when he realizes that his face is covered in burns.

New episodes of Pachinko season 2 air on Apple TV+ on Fridays through October 11, 2024.

While Pachinko season 2's fifth episode might see its principal cast surviving World War II's horrors, the trauma of how it ended is searing. In his anger, Yoseb lashes out at Hansu. During the exchange, the two men trade verbal punches. Hansu insults Isak, while Yoseb calls out the fact that Hansu is Noa's biological father. Hansu insists that he saved Yoseb's family — really, Sunja's family — but Yoseb is unable to cede any ground to the man he blames for his brother's death. Yet again, Hansu's seemingly noble actions don't quite have the outcome he'd intended.

3 Pachinko Season 2 Jumps Ahead To 1950

Sunja & The Boys Have Settled Into City Life Again

Although Sunja's family lives in the countryside for a little bit longer, Hansu eventually agrees that it's finally safe to return to Osaka. The family's departure is bittersweet. On one hand, the country house was never quite home, but they did work hard to make it feel that way. Moreover, both Sunja's mother and Yoseb were reunited with their loved ones in the countryside, adding a special emotional resonance to the place. After saying their goodbyes, the family arrive back in a ruined version of Osaka. Noa and his brother even encounter American soldiers, which chills them.

However, Pachinko doesn't spend too much time showing how the family acclimates to life in the city. Instead, the series decides to jump ahead five years. In 1950, Sunja runs a noodle stand with her mother. In the previous episode, the elder Sunja told Naomi that cooking had been her source of income for many years. Although it seemed like she might've been referring to her wartime kimchi stand, it's clear that her latest business endeavor is the more successful venture.

Awkwardly, Mr. Kim still lives with the family, which means he shares a home with Yoseb and Kyunghee, the love of his life. While Mr. Kim wants to move out of the house, Hansu insists that he stay put until Noa, Hansu's biological son, gets into university. Ever-loyal, Mr. Kim obliges, even if living with Kyunghee is incredibly painful.

2 Noa & Sunja Discuss Hansu

Noa Is Preparing For College In Pachinko Season 2, Episode 5

The final thread from the past that stands out in Pachinko's fifth episode is Noa's efforts to get into a university. After the time skip, Noa is a teenager, staring down what his future and adulthood might hold. Although he spends a lot of his time studying, he also has a significant conversation with his mother. Sunja expresses her regret; she wishes Noa didn't have to study so hard to get into a good school. Noa insists that he doesn't mind. Not only does he feel that Sunja did her best, but he also knows that she refused Hansu's help and money.

...the exchange between Sunja and Noa is tender and heartfelt.

After seeing what Hansu did to the rice-field foreman, Noa clearly didn't want to be connected to Hansu. Years later, Noa still doesn't want his family to owe the wealthy man anything. Of course, that's easier said than done. Hansu has only really hung around to ensure Noa's future is a successful one, especially after Sunja rebuffed his advances. Nonetheless, the exchange between Sunja and Noa is tender and heartfelt. Yet again, it reiterates just how much the family sacrifices for each other — and just how much Sunja has shaped her sons' futures.

1 Naomi Unknowingly Causes Problems For Solomon's Revenge Scheme

Pachinko Season 2, Episode 5 Spends Less Time In 1989

Unlike the other season 2 episodes, Pachinko's fifth chapter doesn't spend much time in the 1989 timeline. Given the immensity of the end-of-war events, it makes sense that the episode dedicates its runtime to the events in Nagasaki and, later, Osaka. Nonetheless, viewers get a small yet crucial update about Solomon's plans. During a meeting, Naomi argues on behalf of Abe-san, suggesting that even though he's facing issues with the land deal, Shiffley's should give their ever-loyal partner some time to regain his financial footing. Little does Naomi know, this goes against Solomon's scheme.

Although Solomon learns about how Naomi's advocacy has disrupted his efforts to ruin Abe, he takes the news in stride. It seems that Solomon's love for Naomi may be stronger than his ambition. Sunja, Solomon's grandmother, would consider that a good thing. After all, she's worried about her grandson betraying himself to get back at Abe and Shiffley's. Unfortunately, there's not much else to gleam from the show's 1989 time period in episode 5. Halfway through its sophomore season, Pachinko has set some truly compelling threads into motion, suggesting that many more bumps in the road are in store.