The second season of Pachinko, the critically acclaimed Apple TV+ series, continues to delve into intense emotional moments, captivating viewers with its deep and heart-wrenching storyline. Following the release of episode 2, fans witnessed the tragic death of Isak, played by Steve Noh (Noh Sang Hyun), marking one of the most tear-jerking scenes in the show.
In an exclusive interview, Kim Min Ha, who portrays the character Sunja, opened up about the emotional toll this scene took on her, providing behind-the-scenes insights into her experience filming this challenging moment.
The Emotional Impact of Isak’s Death Scene
The episode presents an emotionally charged reunion between Sunja and her husband, Isak, whose tragic fate is revealed. Kim Min Ha reflected on how difficult it was to handle the raw emotions that unfolded in this scene, sharing,
“Oh, God, how can I start with that? It was very emotional. And not even on the set, right after I got the script for this second episode, I just couldn’t help [feeling emotional]. I couldn’t handle it. So the emotions of ‘I cannot handle’ were the exact emotions that I had on set. I just held my breath.”
The storyline follows Sunja as she desperately seeks help for Isak, rushing to Koh Hansu (Lee Min Ho) for assistance. Despite her efforts, Isak’s demise becomes inevitable, leaving a deep emotional scar.
Bringing Diversity to the Emotions
The complexity of emotions portrayed by Kim Min Ha during this scene was not limited to grief alone. She discussed how her director, Leanne Welham, who directed the first two episodes of Pachinko season 2, encouraged her to explore a range of feelings. Kim Min Ha shared,
“And I wanted to share my warmth to Isak (Noh Sang Hyun’s character) to just have a pleasant farewell. Through that process, my director Leanne, in that moment- she directed episodes one and two- told me to bring some diversity into that scene.”
The actress revealed that she experienced a mixture of emotions, including sadness, anger, and grief.
“That’s why I had some anger in it. When Isaac first comes back and then I comfort him and I go outside to save his life. I get so angry when I see him first [in the scene], because of the horrible things that happen to him for 10 years,” Kim Min Ha explained.
She further elaborated on how these complex emotions overwhelmed her,
“I wanted to put a lot of diversity into my emotions, not just grief. But I think that was the thing I had to carry, I couldn’t handle it, with tons of other emotions. Even when I think back to that moment, it makes me so sad.”
The Impact of Isak’s Death on Pachinko Season 2’s Storyline
Isak’s death scene is pivotal, as it leads to significant developments in Sunja’s character arc. With Isak gone, the series now focuses on Sunja’s role as a mother to Noa and Mozasu, as well as the evolution of her relationship with Koh Hansu.
Based on Lee Min Jin’s novel and created by Soo Hugh, Pachinko continues to captivate its audience with its deep historical and emotional layers. The period drama skillfully blends the personal and political, shedding light on the struggles and resilience of generations of Korean immigrants.
Pachinko season 2’s new episodes are released every Friday on Apple TV+.
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