Here is the rewritten article without adding new <img> tags: Editor's note: The below recap contains spoilers for Pachinko Season 2 Episode 6. A
Here is the rewritten article without adding new <img> tags:
Editor’s note: The below recap contains spoilers for Pachinko Season 2 Episode 6.
Apple TV+’s Pachinko has always depicted the downsides of living in a patriarchy. Whether it’s Sunja (Minha Kim) doing her best to meet society’s standards or Solomon (Jin Ha) trying to exist in the world of finance, the characters are all trapped within a system that doesn’t always favor them. In Season 2 Episode 6, pretty much every male character is falling prey to toxic masculinity, succumbing to manipulating those around them and sometimes resorting to violence in order to get their way. This might be human nature, but the most tragic part is that the female characters, Sunja and Naomi (Anna Sawai) in particular, are the ones who will pay the price for the men’s bad behavior.
The first scene in the episode features the 1989 Sunja (Youn Yuh-jung) on a date with Kato (Jun Kunimura). The two are out to eat at a Mexican restaurant, and there’s nothing cuter than Sunja trying a margarita for the first time or learning what salsa is. It is revealed that the two seniors have gotten together several times since she reached out to Kato in Episode 4.
Then the action switches to 1950 (the shifts back and forth in time are not as seamless here as they have been in other episodes). In the earlier timeline, Sunja is working hard, selling noodles in the marketplace (which is a far cry from her future self, who gets to relax while enjoying a nice meal). They are all waiting to hear if Noa (Kim Kang-hoon) has gotten into Waseda University, and it’s clear that the family is overwhelmed with worry about the possibility that he has not passed his entrance exam.
In 1950, Mr. Kim (Kim Sungkyu) attends a rally. Korean organizers are protesting that their rights are being taken away in Japan. Their schools are being closed down, and all Koreans are forced to sign a public registry, which only furthers their isolation from the Japanese citizens they’re living among. He tells Sunja that he doesn’t want to attend school at the expense of her dreams. She pushes away his doubts, saying the restaurant idea is a “fool’s gamble.” Noa is still sticking to his role as the eldest son, saying that it is his duty to take care of everyone. But Sunja reminds him that a better future would be a gift for the whole family. Noa won’t budge, so she swallows her pride and asks Hansu for help convincing Noa to go to school. Hansu tells Sunja that it’s simply not an option for Noa not to go. He tells her to “pry his eyes open. Make him see what the world really looks like.” And in the spirit of all the threats happening in this episode, he says, “If you can’t convince him, I will.” Sunja doesn’t really want Hansu around Noa, so she makes one last effort to change his mind.
Sunja takes Noa to eat tofu at the shop where his crush works. Sunja opens up to Noa, saying that she never thought she would stay in Japan this long, and that she came here because Isak asked her to. She explains that she didn’t really understand the way the world worked or about Isak’s faith, until he talked to her about the idea of heaven. She says that when she thinks of heaven, she pictures her home in Korea, not where they’re currently living in Japan. She reminds Noa that they have had a lot of painful experiences there, saying “If you stay here…the memories will burn in your soul.” Then, she admits that she made a promise to Isak, that no matter what, she would help Noa and Mozasu thrive, and she wants to keep that promise.
The girl at the shop boasts about Noa leaving them to attend university, and Noa tells the girl, “When I’m there, I know I’ll miss this.” It seems like Sunja’s speech has worked at last, creating a heartwarming moment where Sunja feels like she has actually done something to help Noa (and to carve out a path for his future). It is a symbol of her empathy, that she is able to win Noa over to her side, without threats or anger or violence. She simply speaks from the heart and is able to achieve her goal. As damaging as the patriarchy has been to Sunja, she is still determined to lead her life with grace and love (proving that human nature can also include acts of compassion). Episode 6 sets up plenty of opportunities for showdowns in the future (Mozasu vs. Older Sunja, Naomi vs. Solomon, Mr. Kim vs. the world), but it’s not likely that the discrimination and violence present in the patriarchy will dissipate anytime soon for these characters.
Conclusion:
The latest episode of Pachinko continues to showcase the toxic masculinity that permeates every level of the characters’ lives. Sunja’s attempts to break free from the patriarchy’s stranglehold on her are admirable, but it’s clear that she will still face many challenges in her future. Despite this, her determination to lead a life of grace and love is a powerful reminder of the human capacity for resilience and compassion.
FAQs:
Q: What happened in Pachinko Season 2 Episode 6?
A: In this episode, Sunja and her family face setbacks and challenges as they continue to navigate their lives under the patriarchy. Meanwhile, Noa’s prospects for attending university are left uncertain.
Q: Is Pachinko on Apple TV+?
A: Yes, Pachinko is available to stream on Apple TV+.
AUTHOR: The World Screen
COMMENTS