“Pachinko” has returned to Apple TV+ with its second season’s eighth episode. It had previously tracked Noa’s path to Waseda University in Tokyo. Hansu was denied entry, but his father-in-law prohibited him from attending his daughter’s wedding. Hansu killed the older man in retaliation. Because he felt bad for Kyunghee, Yoseb supported her relationship with Chang-ho. But Kyunghee was unwilling to end her marriage.
Sunja became good friends with Kato-san in 1991. Mozasu became alarmed and investigated Kato-san’s history. He discovered a few startling facts that influenced Sunja’s perception of Kato-san. Most Pachinko Episode 8 centers on Noa and Nakazono Akiko’s time at Waseda University. A startling revelation about his past causes him to make a decision that cannot be undone.
Pachinko (Season 2 Finale) Episode 8 “Chapter Sixteen” Recap:
A year after moving to Tokyo, Noa begins a journey at Waseda University in “Pachinko” (Season 2 Finale), Episode 8. He becomes friendly with his classmate Nakazono Akiko, whom he first saw as a student leader when he arrived on campus.
Akiko discusses a story by Leo Tolstoy in a literature class and shares her thoughts on it. Noa identifies her biases and partially rejects her interpretation. He and Akiko kiss each other after class at a secret location on campus. He fears that they will be noticed. She’s not.
Noa receives special treatment from Hansu in Tokyo, noticed by Akiko. Despite this, Noa remains connected to his humble upbringing. Unlike Akiko, who comes from a wealthy family, he understands hunger and desperation. Akiko wants to meet Hansu, but Noa prevents her. Later, he accompanies Hansu on one of their visits.
Hansu discusses their real estate deal with a young partygoer at the time. Hansu extols Noa and believes he is the future’s hope as soon as he enters the room. Because Noa is Korean, the young party member doesn’t think well of him. However, since Hansu now has the final say over party matters, he must accept Hansu’s decisions.
The Mischief of Mozasu
In Osaka, 14-year-old Mozasu and a friend break into Goto-san’s shop, and Mozasu is caught stealing. Goto-san sympathizes with Sunja, who has raised Mozasu. Mozasu confesses to his mother and returns the stolen items. Sunja promises to discipline Mozasu, but Goto-san offers him a job at his parlor. Despite objections from Kyunghee, Sunja allows Mozasu to work for Goto-san.
Chang-ho is the recipient of letters that Yoseb hides. But after a while, he regrets keeping them from Kyunghee. He apologizes for not sharing them earlier and gives them to her. As Kyunghee reads them, she becomes emotional.
The Past of Mamoru and Mozasu
Solomon paid off Mozasu’s outstanding loan balance in 1991 following his successful transaction with Mamoru Yoshii. Solomon had been having some financial difficulties just before. Therefore, Mozasu finds it hard to comprehend how Solomon could have paid so much.
He understands that Tokyo was the source of the repayment. He soon learns about Solomon’s new golf club event and goes. There, Mozasu observes Solomon respond to questions about his venture tactfully without showing as much vulnerability as previously. Solomon argues for his bold plan despite possible labor-related problems.
It turns out that Mozasu discovers Solomon has partnered with Mamoru. After the event, Mozasu meets with Mamoru to discuss his agreement with Solomon. As it happens, Yoshii is the grandson of Goto-san, who gave teenager Mozasu a job offer in his pachinko parlor.
Goto-san adored and trusted Mozasu as a member of his family. Because of this, Mozasu thinks Mamoru wants to use Solomon in his business to exact revenge on him for the love he stole from Goto-san. Thus, Mozasu resolves to exact revenge on Mamoru.
Sunja meets Kato-san and informs him of Mozasu’s investigation, as it turns out. She questions him about his challenging time in the Japanese army. Kato-san acknowledges his murderous past and expresses regret for his decisions. However, he has no hidden agendas for his friendship with Sunja and seeks a new beginning away from that past. Nevertheless, Sunja chooses to keep her distance from Kato-san.
The Guilt of Solomon
Solomon meets Tom for drinks. After leaving the Shifleys, Tom decides to work for Yoshii-san instead of returning to the States as planned. They denigrate Katsu Abe without even a shred of remorse for their actions. Shortly after, Solomon hears the news of Katsu Abe’s alleged suicide that led to his death. Unlike before, this shocking news affects him.
Pachinko (Season 2 Finale) Episode 8 “Chapter Sixteen” Ending Explained:
Does Noa discover the truth about Hansu and him?
After leaving university, Noa tells Hansu he wants to become a teacher when they have dinner together. Hansu believes Noa should have higher goals because of his intelligence and curiosity.
Noa is shocked when Akiko unexpectedly appears while discussing these specifics. She is identified as the daughter of Foreign Undersecretary Hitoshi by Hansu. His request is for her to persuade Noa to aim higher. After supper, Noa becomes upset with Akiko for not honoring his request to meet Hansu.
Akiko claims that she doesn’t let other people define her and thinks Noa shouldn’t. Despite his advice to leave Noa, she refuses to do so. Thus, he chooses to keep his distance from her. She affirms what she has been considering for some time after hearing that Hansu is Noa’s father. Noa and Hansu had never talked about it before.
Finally, after Akiko has left, he asks Hansu if that is the case. Hansu claims he has not imposed himself on Sunja and acknowledges that he is Noa’s father. Startled, Noa goes back to Osaka to see Sunja. He shows up unexpectedly, which surprises her.
Noa declines Sunja’s invitation to spend the night. Sunja discovers after he departs that Noa came to say goodbye to her. She leaves in search of him but is unsuccessful. Despite his best efforts, Hansu is unable to locate Noa.
He acknowledges that there is no going back and regrets the decisions he has made in life. Noa leaves them behind and begins a new life in Nagano while pretending to be Ogawa Minato and concealing his Korean heritage.
About Pachinko
Pachinko is a 2022 Korean drama from Apple TV+ directed by American actor-director Justin Cho and Kogonada, a South Korean filmmaker. The series is based on a trilogy of the same name written by Lee Min-jin, who also serves as an executive producer.
The drama stars history-making Academy-award winner Youn Yuh-jung, veteran Lee Min-ho, Jin Ha, Anna Sawai, Soji Arai and debuts Kim Min-ha.
The emotional rollercoaster of an epic saga, Pachinko lays bear the generational journey full of struggle, love, betrayal and choices by following the life of a Korean immigrant family.
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