"Pachinko" is a visually stunning family saga based on an American adaptation of a novel. It spans four generations as the characters struggle to survive and grapple with their identities.

What makes "Pachinko" attractive is its exploration of the characters' journeys across national boundaries. They start as ethnically Korean individuals born on the Korean Peninsula and end up in Japan due to various circumstances. This global perspective is reflected not only in the storyline but also in the show's production; Despite the way they're shot is very different from K-dramas, the quality and acting are great.

However, I'm not a fan with the alternating past-present short sequences because it took me out of the show. The shows also heavily spent time for telling another second-lead story which I wasn’t really invested in. I am more interested on our female lead’s past; the bitter life she suffered from the Japanese colonization and the aftermath of that.

Final remark, I don't feel closure of the stories told in season 1. I would not say the drama ends on a cliffhanger but maybe a somewhat open ending?