Min Jin Lee’ Pachinko multi-generational historical novel is a must read. Her second work is a character driven story of Koreans living in Japan during the Japanese occupation. The book has recently been adapted as a drama series, picked up by Apple TV+.
So, what exactly is pachinko? Oddly enough, pachinko was first developed as a child’s toy in Japan. The device progressed into a mechanical game of chance. It can be played as arcade game, though the most prominent form of play is as a gambling game. The best way to explain pachinko is to imagine a mix of slots, plunko, and pinball.
But why would Lee title her novel after a Japanese gambling game? Fortunately, she explains why. Originally slotted for the title Motherland, Lee changed the title after numerous interviews of Koreans who grew up in Japan. Pachinko continually came up in their conversations. There was no denying the significance of pachinko in Korean history.