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Script for Apple TV+ 'Pachinko' pilot reveals highly detailed writing behind the drama

Apple TV+'s "Pachinko"

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The script for the pilot episode of the Apple TV+ show "Pachinko" has been published, highlighting the writing behind the critically-acclaimed international drama.

Apple TV+ premiered "Pachinko" on March 25, bringing the adaptation of a New York Times best-seller of the same name to screens. While the show has already been picked up for a second season, attention has been placed on what went into making the first.

Released as part of Deadline's "It Starts On The Page" series, the entire script for the first episode of "Pachinko" has been published. The script, written by showrunner and executive producer Soo Hugh, is identified as "Chapter One" and is listed as episode "101."

The episode details character Solomon's attempts to secure a promotion in 1989 New York City, before flashing back to his grandmother's childhood in Japanese-occupied Korea.

As part of the script document, it includes extensive character and set lists, along with extensive notes about what will appear onscreen alongside spoken words and actions. The notes are detailed, such as the prologue including Mozart's Requiem Mass in D Minor described as fading up and "unabashedly declares its bold ambitions - to move us, to astonish us, to conquer us."

Likewise, at the tail-end of the script, the description of the end titles states "Infectious K-Pop music blasts over the scrolling names of all those who worked tirelessly to make this show happen."

Deadline selected to publish the script alongside others after it was submitted for Emmy Awards consideration. The criteria for its selection included "critical acclaim, selecting from a wide range of networks and platforms, and a mix of established and lesser-known shows."



3 Comments

robin huber 22 Years · 4026 comments

The decision to change the order of events from the book was a catastrophic mistake. Even though we read the book recently we constantly found ourselves lost and not being able to figure out who was who. This misguided attempt at being “artsy” could be easily fixed in an “author’s cut” edition. Other than that, an outstanding filmed version. 

RudeBoyRudy 3 Years · 106 comments

The decision to change the order of events from the book was a catastrophic mistake. Even though we read the book recently we constantly found ourselves lost and not being able to figure out who was who. This misguided attempt at being “artsy” could be easily fixed in an “author’s cut” edition. Other than that, an outstanding filmed version. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the jumping between eras. It kept it fresh and I didn't find myself getting lost. And agree, an outstanding filmed version. So damn good!

sloaah 10 Years · 29 comments

The decision to change the order of events from the book was a catastrophic mistake. Even though we read the book recently we constantly found ourselves lost and not being able to figure out who was who. This misguided attempt at being “artsy” could be easily fixed in an “author’s cut” edition. Other than that, an outstanding filmed version. 

Having also read the book – I have to disagree. The series does an extraordinary job of drawing parallels between the different eras, driving home the relevance of each era to our present lives.

Compare that with a more conventional period drama, which is how the series would have felt like in the first season if it just focused on the colonial period. For all their strengths, one weakness of period dramas in general is that there is often an emotional distance between us and the characters, because their experiences don't feel immediately relevant to our present lives. That's something which Pachinko overcomes entirely by interweaving the different generations, driving home how Sunja's experiences parallel Solomon's life, and by extension, our own lives.

Separately – I have to say that the episodes by Kogonada (1-3 and 7) felt much stronger than the ones by Justin Chon. Speaking as a filmmaker myself, Kogonada is masterful in his visual storytelling.