Season 2, Episode 6, titled “Chapter Fourteen,” of the Apple TV series, Pachinko, is directed by Sang-il Lee and penned by Karen Chee and Chang-rae Lee. This episode explores the consequences of ambition through the experiences of Koh Hansu, Mozasu, Solomon, and to some extent, Noa. Ambition is portrayed as both a driving force for achieving goals and a double-edged sword, capable of leading to personal and familial harm.
The episode highlights how unchecked ambition can result in significant consequences. Hansu’s involvement with the Yakuza leaves his family, especially his son Noa, vulnerable to threats. Mozasu is drowning in debt due to his investments in the pachinko parlors. Meanwhile, Solomon’s desire to salvage his career by sabotaging Katsu Abe leads to the collapse of his relationship with Naomi. These storylines emphasize that pursuing one’s goals can sometimes come at a high cost, potentially hurting loved ones, causing financial ruin, and damaging relationships.
However, the episode also suggests that ambition, when approached wisely, isn’t inherently negative. Noa exemplifies this when he humbly acknowledges his family’s financial struggles and considers forgoing his attendance at Waseda University to avoid burdening them. Yet, he learns that while the world can be harsh, the opportunity to improve his life is something he should pursue—not just for himself but for the future well-being of his family. His education at Waseda and the prospect of a successful career have the potential to uplift his family’s circumstances in the long run, highlighting the power and complexity of ambition.
Sunja and Noa
In 1950 Osaka, Kim Sunja (Kim Min-ha), with the help of her sister-in-law Kyunghee (Jung Eun-chae) and her mother Yangjin (Jeong In-Ji), struggles to support the family through her food-selling business. The financial strain becomes even more apparent when they realize they can’t afford the tuition for Noa (Kim Kang-hoon) to attend Waseda University in Tokyo. The issue comes to light when Noa excitedly announces that he has been accepted to Waseda, having passed the college entrance exam.
While the family is thrilled by this achievement, the joy is dampened by the high cost of attendance. The total expenses—including entrance fees, books, student activities, experimental practices, and equipment—amount to about 2,400 yen, a sum far beyond their means. Faced with this reality, Noa becomes determined to abandon his college dreams to support the family by working part-time jobs. However, Sunja refuses to let him give up and manages to convince Noa to pursue his education at Waseda University.
Chang-ho’s Inner Turmoil
Kim Chang-ho (Kim Sung-kyu) becomes involved in a Korean anti-capitalist movement in Osaka that aims to improve the lives of Korean communities in Japan. The speeches at these gatherings are passionate, emphasizing a deep sense of patriotism and loyalty to Korea and its people. Although Chang-ho is moved by the rhetoric, he remains conflicted due to his allegiance to the Yakuza and his loyalty to his boss, Koh Hansu (Lee Min-ho). Hansu and the Yakuza bosses are now plotting ways to prosper in post-war Japan, which is no longer an empire. Plans for creating black markets and establishing new illegal businesses are in motion, and Hansu wants Chang-ho to be part of this new venture.
Hansu and his Father-In-Law
As Hansu delves into his work, he learns that Yoshii Isamu, likely the grandfather of Mamoru Yoshii, is trying to consolidate his power and tighten his control over the Yakuza’s operations. Hansu intends to continue his investigation but puts it on hold to meet with his father-in-law. During their meeting, they discuss Japan’s political situation once the U.S. government loosens its influence. They also talk about the Yakuza’s plans to support Kurogane and his Liberal Party in their rise to power. However, Hansu has reservations, pointing out that the Liberal Party is still young and that its principles and alliances could change over time.
Despite Hansu’s concerns, his father-in-law insists that their plans can work—if Hansu allows Kurogane to marry his daughter, Keiko, thereby forging a marriage alliance between the Yakuza and the Liberal Party. It’s meant to be a blood pact. Interestingly, Kurogane is willing to marry Keiko despite her being half-Japanese and half-Korean. Hansu is deeply troubled at the thought of sending his daughter away, showing his love for Keiko, which matches his affection for Noa. However, his father-in-law is adamant, even subtly threatening Noa’s life if Hansu refuses. This scene starkly reveals the Yakuza’s ruthlessness, illustrating that no one—not even those within the criminal organization and their families—is safe from their ambitions.
Solomon’s Situation
In 1989 Tokyo, Solomon (Jin Ha) meets Sugihara (Sôtarô Tanaka) to discuss a message from his business partner, Mamoru Yoshii. The message concerns Solomon’s relationship with his girlfriend and former colleague, Naomi (Anna Sawai), who is involved with Kunizane Tsuyoshi, the eldest son of the Kunizane family. Yoshii demands that Solomon investigate Naomi’s relationship with Kunizane at any cost.
Solomon soon realizes that the information about Naomi was obtained through underhanded tactics, making him question whether Yoshii has truly left his grandfather’s Yakuza business behind. Sugihara, also of Korean descent, warns Solomon not to fail Yoshii and to secure the land for their golf course project. Failure, Sugihara cautions, would provoke Yoshii to exact a severe punishment, revealing that he has not abandoned the Yakuza’s dark and brutal world but continues to embrace its ruthless culture. Trapped in this business relationship, Solomon finds himself entangled with the Yakuza.
Mozasu and Sunja
At the pachinko parlor, Mozasu (Soji Arai) opens a stack of letters, revealing that he is in debt to CCI International Bank. This discovery frustrates him, but he finds some comfort in his mother, Kim Sunja (Youn Yuh-jung), who encourages him to try a Mexican restaurant recommended by her friend Kato Tatsumi (Jun Kunimura). Mozasu, however, is suspicious of Kato, finding it odd that an elderly man would quickly befriend his mother. Concerned, he hires an informant to investigate Kato, suspecting there might be more to him than meets the eye. This hints at the possibility that Kato could be another Yakuza agent sent to watch over Sunja, similar to how Hansu once used Chang-ho before the Bombing of Osaka.
Naomi Learns the Truth
Solomon tracks Naomi to a restaurant where she is dining with the Kunizane family. Noticing Solomon, Naomi later meets with him to explain her situation. She visits his home and reveals that her family and the Kunizane family have been friends and allies for some time. To strengthen this bond, both families decided that she should marry Kunizane Tsuyoshi.
Solomon is quietly upset, realizing that Naomi had kept something so significant from him since they began their relationship. The conversation takes a turn for the worse when Solomon asks Naomi to call in Katsu Abe’s loan, making her realize that he was behind the rumors about the buried bones. Furious, Naomi confronts him, and their soft argument ultimately leads to their breakup. Following the breakup, Solomon hesitantly schemes with Tom (Jimmi Simpson) to fight against Naomi’s goal to protect the interests of Katsu Abe and Shiffley’s.
Rating: 9/10