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Writer and producer Soo Hugh on 'Pachinko' : It's Been a Minute Elise Hu chats with Soo Hugh, writer and showrunner of the much anticipated series Pachinko, based on the 2017 novel by Min Jin Lee. It's the epic story of a family through four generations across the 20th century, all about their lives as Zainichi Koreans in Japan. In this chat, Hugh talks about what it was like to bring the beloved book to screen, what she's is doing to support Asian American creators coming up behind her, and why this story resonates with people of all backgrounds.

You can follow us on Twitter @NPRItsBeenAMin and email us at ibam@npr.org.

It's Been a Minute

Bringing 'Pachinko' from page to the screen

Bringing 'Pachinko' from page to the screen

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  • Theresa Kang-Lowe, Executive Producer, Soo Hugh, Writer/Executive Producer, and Michael Ellenberg, Executive Producer, attend Apple's "Pachinko" world premiere at The Academy Museum. "Pachinko" premieres globally on Apple TV+ on March 25, 2022.
    Theresa Kang-Lowe, Executive Producer, Soo Hugh, Writer/Executive Producer, and Michael Ellenberg, Executive Producer, attend Apple's "Pachinko" world premiere at The Academy Museum. "Pachinko" premieres globally on Apple TV+ on March 25, 2022.
    Eric Charbonneau

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Deeply felt and unpredictable, 'Pachinko' follows the epic rise of a Korean family

TV Reviews

Deeply felt and unpredictable, 'Pachinko' follows the epic rise of a Korean family

Elise Hu chats with Soo Hugh, writer and showrunner of the much anticipated series Pachinko, based on the 2017 novel by Min Jin Lee. It's the epic story of a family through four generations across the 20th century, all about their lives as Zainichi Koreans in Japan. In this chat, Hugh talks about what it was like to bring the beloved book to screen, what she's is doing to support Asian American creators coming up behind her, and why this story resonates with people of all backgrounds.

This episode was produced by Andrea Gutierrez with help from Janet Woojeong Lee and Aja Drain. It was edited by Jordana Hochman. You can follow us on Twitter @NPRItsBeenAMin and email us at ibam@npr.org.