Pachinko Season 2 Episode 7 Summary: Dramatic Changes Impact Sunja and Hansu’s Lives

Pachinko Season 2 Episode 7 premiered on Apple TV+ on October 4, 2024. Featuring Kim Min-ah as Sunja and Lee Min-ho as Hansu, this episode brings significant transformations into their lives, introducing fresh narratives and setting the stage for the upcoming generation.

The episode begins with Noa heading off to college while Sunja, along with family and neighbors, enjoys a final celebratory meal. Hansu’s reign under his father and father-in-law’s shadows concludes as he takes drastic measures by killing his father-in-law to safeguard his empire. Meanwhile, Sunja grapples with the reality of Noa leaving her nest for an unfamiliar city.

Set against the backdrop of 1989, the current timeline in Pachinko Season 2 Episode 7 parallels 1950, portraying an older Sunja connecting with an elderly man named Kato as they share moments feeding birds. However, Kato’s intentions spark concern from Sunja’s second son, Mozasu, resulting in conflict later on.

Additionally, Sunja’s grandson, Solomon, manipulates circumstances to get his former girlfriend Naomi terminated from her job as part of a vendetta against Abe-san. In a poignant subplot, Mr. Kim bids farewell to Kyunghee before heading off to fight in the Korean War.

Kyunghee and Mr. Kim share their last goodbyes in Pachinko Season 2 Episode 7. (Image via Apple TV+)

Pachinko Season 2 Episode 7 Signals Disruptive Changes and Anticipates Future Upheaval

As Pachinko Season 2 Episode 7 unfolds, Hansu arrives at Noa’s celebration. Family and neighbors congregate to honor Noa’s acceptance into Waseda University—one of Japan’s elite institutions in 1950. Hansu presents Noa with the same pocket watch that Sunja had once pawned during difficult times.

This moment signifies a full-circle narrative, as Hansu acquired the pocket watch from his father two decades prior and later gifted it to Sunja. In a twist of fate, it returns to Hansu, who passes it on to Noa, unaware of his true lineage.

The storyline shifts back to 1989, showcasing Solomon’s underhanded maneuvering to have Naomi fired after discovering her infidelity tied to another man. Their relationship crumbles, setting off personal conflicts that echo throughout the family.

Everyone joins to celebrate Noa's admission to Waseda University in Pachinko Season 2 Episode 7. (Image via Apple TV+) — Everyone joins to celebrate Noa’s admission to Waseda University in Pachinko Season 2 Episode 7. (Image via Apple TV+)

Naomi faces harsh consequences when called into the bank director’s office to resign after revealing confidential information regarding Abe-san’s loan to third parties. Suspecting Solomon’s involvement, she feels betrayed after their sudden fallout.

Meanwhile, the older Sunja engages in nurturing a sapling alongside Kato, who advises her on the needs of the plant, while Sunja reflects on her past experiences with change, asserting that they have rarely yielded positive outcomes.

This contrast parallels a younger Sunja emotionally packing Noa’s belongings in 1950 as he prepares to leave, while an elder Sunja contemplates whether her new friend’s support will suffice in her life. The narrative seamlessly intertwines these timelines to highlight the cyclical nature of history.

As the family shares a quiet dinner, Yoseb, Kyunghee’s husband, disrupts the peace, passionately expressing his grievances. This confrontation reveals deeper family tensions as Mozasu, at only 13, confronts Yoseb, attempting to challenge his negativity and urging him to step outside into the healing rays of a hopeful future post-war.

Eventually, Yoseb accepts Noa’s encouragement and ventures outside for the first time in five years, where he witnesses a world moving on without him, inspiring a long-awaited smile.

In a later encounter, Hansu seeks out Sunja, who is tidying her porch while the younger family members are outdoors. He shares how he retrieved the pocket watch and reveals his constant watchful eye on Sunja and Noa since their departure from Korea two decades before. Hansu reflects on memories of his cherished moments with Sunja, revealing the emotional tumult he experiences since the loss of those days.

Hansu shares his worries with Sunja and recalls his happy memories with her in Pachinko Season 2 Episode 7. (Image via Apple TV+)

Later, Sunja advises Hansu on the need to release what burdens him. Departing solemnly, he expresses gratitude before leaving. Meanwhile, in 1989, Sunja offers her savings to Kato, urging him to explore America—highlighting their evolving relationship.

In a surprising twist, a private investigator updates Mozasu on Kato’s troubling past, revealing debts and a violent history during the war. Despite her son’s concerns, Sunja defends Kato, questioning the double standards regarding their lives and the relationships within their family.

“How long were you with Etsuko? And Solomon has a Japanese girlfriend. Why is it okay for the two of you, but for me to just have a friend…”

The story returns to Mr. Kim as he prepares to depart Sunja’s home for war, an experience he associates as a sanctuary for five years. Yoseb, recognizing Kyunghee’s hidden affections for Mr. Kim, offers his blessing for her happiness, albeit with a heavy heart.

Confronting this reality, Kyunghee ultimately chooses fidelity to her husband, acknowledging her greater responsibilities while urging Mr. Kim to survive and return only once he’s found his path forward.

Pachinko Season 2 Episode 7 culminates as Sunja readies herself for Noa’s departure, paralleling several poignant moments from their intertwined timelines—1950 and 1989—illustrating the cyclical nature of human experience.

In a climactic closing, Hansu observes Isamu infiltrating his father-in-law’s territory, resulting in a fateful stabbing. This act signifies Hansu’s transition from subordinate to leader, signifying a substantial shift in power dynamics.