The elder Sunja’s scenes in this episode are quieter but equally devastating. She moves through the world with a heavy dignity. In a conversation with Solomon, she hints at the trauma of the past—the firebombing of Osaka during WWII, which viewers know is looming in the 1930s timeline. Her insistence on returning to Korea, or at least reconnecting with her roots, clashes with Solomon’s desire to succeed in the Western world. It is a generational clash: Solomon wants to conquer the future, while Sunja is still processing the past.
While Isak is away tending to his congregation, an unwelcome ghost appears at the boardinghouse door: Koh Hansu (Lee Min-ho). Dressed in his immaculate suit, he is a jarring splash of wealth and danger in their humble home. He asks to speak with Sunja alone. pachinko episode 4 recap
The episode ends on a note of fragile resilience. Sunja is settled, but she is not safe. She has a husband, but she is still an outsider. The episode beautifully captures the tragedy and triumph of starting over—not with a triumphant fanfare, but with a quiet, determined breath. It sets the stage for the trials to come, reminding us that for Sunja, survival is not a destination; it is a daily discipline. The elder Sunja’s scenes in this episode are
Pachinko streams on Apple TV+. New episodes drop Fridays. Her insistence on returning to Korea, or at
Sunja’s answer is a whisper: “No. But doing the right thing is a luxury.”