Pachinko
Anyone watching Pachinko? I am really enjoying the adaptation so far. I read the book and thought it was very interesting. The characters were very detailed. I think I’m going to have a few more posts about it which will most likely contain spoilers! So please be aware.
My favourites are Baek Isak, Sunja and Yangjin. I am loving seeing Sunja and Isak’s relationship grow. Yanjin, Sunja’s mother is really a character that shows a very hardy and realistic motherly love and care. To be honest, I really did like Isak and Sunja in the the book, but seeing them visually onscreen with an actor and actress, it really is nice to see! It makes me ship them hard >_<
Hansu, I think is portrayed as a lot more revengeful/jealous in the show which is interesting. I like it! To be honest, watching the show with him like this makes me wonder if Hansu really planned this all from the start, and the future events to come that will make it difficult and very heart-breaking for Sunja and her family.
I never liked Hansu with Sunja by the way, because of their inequality and the way he handles her. Like it’s too obvious there is a power-difference, very little or no respect between them. I know Hansu also has had to go through difficult things to get through where he is and I know that his intentions are generally good in a way and that he is a grey character, but overall I just don’t like them together and I am glad Sunja said no initially despite her longing and lust for him.
I like how the show altered some scenes to fit a cinematic portrayal better, I suppose! For example, the scene in episode 5 with Sunja and Isak’s first night together in Japan. The dialogue along with the visuals was so beautiful *_*. I think this was a turning point where Sunja actually really realises what kind of person he is/there is something there with Isak (even though in her mind she still is thinking about Hansu) and qualities that a healthy relationship should have in comparison to her experiences with Hansu.
I also love Isak’s gaze towards her, not only in this scene but I noticed when hopping out of the tram he guided her as she was kind of nearly walking the other way and also when walking with his brother towards the busy Ikaino, he looked back a couple times just to make sure she’s okay and still behind them. I think Isak is very attentive, he knows Sunja has just left her homeland and her family pretty suddenly. She’s still very young and also expecting. Along with the heightened sensitivities and emotions while being pregnant; I think this is why he kind of respects her choices and space too because he has empathy for what she is feeling. I think the two strength’s and weaknesses compliment each other nicely. While Isak is intelligent; he was a sheltered boy as he was always sick and in hospital whereas Sunja is realistic and knows how to make ends meet.
I wonder if there will be any verbal hints on character ages, for example Hansu, Sunja and Isak. I can’t remember exactly but Hansu was described in the book as mid 30′s, 35s maybe? Isak I think mid 20s? Like 25-26? And Sunja, 16/17? I am not sure if the book mentioned these in Korean ages or Western ages. If it’s Korean maybe add 1-2 years.
I’m looking forward to the future episodes and especially the Isak x Sunja ship lol. I can’t wait to see their relationship grow. It will be interesting to see as they became a couple/married without knowing much about each other, just a little bit. Lastly, I really don’t want Isak to die but T____T Isak bae