“How does someone like him become that way? Where did that armor come from? And it’s such an intriguing question. “There were so many conversations about who Hansu was,” said Hugh. The novel never explained how he came to work for the Japanese and what shaped-or rather twisted-his character. The storyline of Koh Hansu, played by Hallyu superstar Lee Min-ho, was expanded, offering some insight into his character development. Not only were sections of the novel saved for subsequent seasons, but backstory was added for one character. Korean American actor Jin Ha plays Solomon Baek in 'Pachinko.' Apple TV That’s the journey we go on through the season.” The big haunting question of the show, that I knew the show would hang on, is ‘survival yes, but at what cost.’ Sunja and Solomon make very different decisions under that question. “And also it really gives you this interesting structure of doing two coming-of-ages, comparing and contrasting the decisions they make. “I thought by comparing and contrasting the first generation with the third generation, it really gave us such a huge opportunity to investigate what it means to carry that burden of your forebears,” said Hugh. Rather than tell the story in a linear fashion, following Sunja’s life, Hugh chose to intersperse her story with that of her grandson’s. And really the north star in the writer’s room was what’s going to best tell the story of Sunja and Solomon.

What to add that wasn’t in the book or what to take away.

But still, even in an ongoing series, you need to make choices. “Now this is something I want to clarify.

“With adaptations you have to make those hard decisions,” said Hugh.

Novel pachinko