Soo Hugh Reflects On Apple TV+’s Pachinko Season 2 And The Road Ahead

Soo Hugh has established herself as a skilled storyteller, transitioning from the suspenseful worlds of The Terror and Under the Dome to the deeply personal, multi-generational drama of Pachinko. Soo Hugh recently spoke with Awards Focus about her approach to casting the multi-generational characters, the challenges of adapting Min Jin Lee’s expansive novel, and the significance of particular scenes that deeply resonated with her during production. 

Production Designer Ruth Ammon Talks Cultural Accuracy in ‘Pachinko’ Season 2

In her latest endeavor, production designer Ruth Ammon brings a vivid authenticity to Pachinko Season 2 (both seasons streaming on Apple TV+), transforming historical settings into immersive storytelling. Based on Min Jin Lee's novel, the series explores intertwined Korean and Japanese histories, mostly through the lens of Koreans struggling to be seen as equals since World War II. Ammon, enlisted by showrunner Soo Hugh, embraced the complexity of designing for multiple eras, locations and socioeconomic status, crafting a world that feels both expansive and intimate. Despite the formidable challenges, Ammon describes the experience as one of the most creatively fulfilling of her career.