Pachinko Season 2 has reached its conclusion after 8 emotionally charged episodes which continued to narrate the story of Sunja and her family with the backdrop of the war and beyond. Unlike most Apple TV+ series, Pachinko doesn’t extend its season for 10 episodes, but after watching the season finale, we believe that might be the right decision.
Episode 8 of Pachinko Season 2 serves as the much-anticipated season finale that we have been looking forward to for weeks. What happens to Noa, and does he finally learn the truth? Keep reading our review to find out more, but beware of spoilers!
Noa Learns the Bitter Truth
We already knew Pachinko Season 2 Episode 8 would be a big one, especially for Noa, who has been in the dark about his connection to Hansu. The episode begins with Noa at university, where the professor is impressed by Noa’s interpretation of Leo Tolstoy’s work, and of course, we also see several glances exchanged between him and the Japanese girl from the previous episode, Nakazono Akiko.

One has to remember, that because this is the season finale, there will be plenty to keep up with in terms of subplots, characters arcs, and timelines. Following a glimpse at Noa and Akiko, we’re taken to Osaka, where Mozasu proves yet again that he isn’t like his brother, and his mischief which involves cheating eventually leads to him working at the Pachinko parlor.
Back at university, Akiko insists that she wants to meet Hansu, the man who pays for Noa to stay at the boarding school, but Noa refuses, saying that will never happen. Speaking of Hansu, he makes it abundantly clear that he wants Noa to eventually be involved in politics, but it is obvious that isn’t what the young man wants for himself.

While Noa is having dinner with Hansu, Akiko decides to show up invited, leaving Noa furious. Later, Akiko and Noa get into an argument, which starts with Noa calling Akiko “pathetic” but it doesn’t take long for matters to escalate and for Akiko to reveal that Hansu is Noa’s father, which provokes a more physical reaction from him. This reaction holds up a mirror to the similarities between father and son, the streak of anger.
Noa eventually confronts Hansu about the claim made by Akiki, and this is the moment we have been looking forward to the most in Pachinko Season 2, and it was well-written and perfectly executed.
Of course, the episode also pays plenty of attention to the other subplots, including characters like Kyunghee, Solomon, Mozasu, and Sunja, but the focus remains on Noa, which works in favor of the season finale.

Conclusion
The end of Pachinko Season 2 leaves us a little heartbroken, especially when Noa bids goodbye to Sunja, only she doesn’t know it will be the last she sees her oldest son. There is definitely scope for another season, but we will have to patiently wait for Apple TV+ to reveal more!