There are few TV cancellations that sting as much as when a critically acclaimed series is left unfinished. That's exactly what happened with Apple TV's Pachinko, a historical drama that aired from 2022 to 2024. Based on Min Jin Lee's brilliant 2017 novel, the show earned rave reviews for its storytelling, performances, and cinematography. But after two seasons, Apple TV inexplicably pulled the plug, leaving fans desperate for a conclusion.
Creator Soo Hugh had always envisioned adapting the novel in three or even four seasons. That's why Season 2 ends on so many cliffhangers. Sunja (Youn Yuh-jung) bids a poignant farewell to her friend Kato (Jun Kunimura), but we're left wondering if their bond is truly over. Meanwhile, in the 1989 timeline, Mozasu (Soji Arai) warns his son Solomon (Jin Ha) about his shady business partner Mamoru (Louis Ozawa). Solomon also discovers that his enemy, Abe-san (Yoshio Maki), has committed suicide after their dealings. And in the most gut-wrenching storyline, Sunja's son Noa (Kang Tae-Joo) disappears to Nagano after learning that the enigmatic Hansu (Lee Min-ho) is his biological father. He cuts off all contact with his family, assumes a new identity, and starts working at a pachinko parlor—cementing the game's role in the family saga. But what happens next? We'll never know unless Apple TV greenlights a third season.
The Book Has So Much More to Offer
The final third of Min Jin Lee's novel is packed with some of the most compelling character arcs and plot twists. Without spoiling too much, we learn more about Noa's isolated life in Nagano and the tragic path he walks as an adult. Through the 1960s and 1970s, we follow Mozasu as he becomes a family man and grows wealthy owning multiple pachinko parlors. Mozasu's step-daughter plays a major role in the book, forming an intriguing relationship with a young Solomon. We also see more of Solomon's backstory before 1981, which explains how he became the broken man we meet in Season 1. The novel ends with closure for each character, most crucially Sunja nearing the end of her life. Her quiet resilience ties the entire book together in a masterful way.
A third season could have seamlessly woven these narratives together, giving viewers a complete and satisfying picture of each character's journey. Instead, Apple TV has left this epic story hanging, doing a disservice to Lee's novel and the talented team behind the show. If Hugh had known the streamer wouldn't continue, she could have reworked Season 2 to wrap things up more neatly.
Some fans still hold out hope that Season 3 might happen someday. But realists know this is just another painful cancellation. The last update came from Hugh in 2025, when she was on the jury at Canneseries. Asked about the show's future, she said, "This is beyond my pay grade and I don't know which shows will last the test of time, but I have to believe Pachinko will last the test of time." With its genius writing, impeccable performances, and awe-inspiring cinematography, she might be right—even if the storytelling remains incomplete.
For fans of epic historical dramas, Pachinko is a must-watch, even in its unfinished state. If you haven't seen it yet, now is the time to binge both seasons on Apple TV. And if you're looking for more great shows, check out Pluribus: Apple TV's Sci-Fi Masterpiece That Nails Every Episode or 15 Years Later, Spartacus Still Reigns as TV's Greatest Historical Drama. For more on Apple TV's lineup, see Apple TV's 'Silo' Season 3 Arrives July 3, 2026: What to Expect from the Sci-Fi Hit.
