Apple Developing New TV Show Based on Bestselling Novel 'Pachinko' - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Developing New TV Show Based on Bestselling Novel 'Pachinko'

pachinkoApple has secured the rights to create a new TV series based on Min Jin Lee's bestselling 2017 novel "Pachinko," reports Variety.

"Pachinko," a National Book Award finalist, chronicles the lives of four generations of a poor Korean immigrant family as they migrate to and establish a life in Japan.

The story begins in 1911 with the birth of Sunja, who becomes involved with a married yakuza, falling pregnant and facing ruin in her small village. The town's minister offers her a new life in Japan as his wife, where she is alone, lost, and unable to speak the language. The book then follows the Sunja's family through eight decades and four generations.

The TV adaptation of "Pachinko" will be written and produced by Soo Hugh, who will also serve as showrunner. Hugh has previously worked on "The Terror," "The Whispers," "Under the Dome," and "The Killing."

"Pachinko" is just one of more than a dozen original television shows Apple has in the works, several of which are based on novels.

It's not yet clear how Apple will distribute its TV shows, but the Cupertino company is rumored to be considering launching a new streaming video service that would perhaps be bundled with an Apple Music subscription and a digital magazine and news subscription.

Rumors have suggested the first of Apple's TV shows could debut in March 2019, and several of them are indeed in the casting phase and could begin filming in the near future.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)

Popular Stories

New Apple TV Logo

Apple TV Earns Record 87 Emmy Nominations for 2026, Led by 'Pluribus' and 'Widow's Bay'

Wednesday July 8, 2026 10:37 am PDT by
Apple earned its highest number of Emmy nominations to date in 2026, with popular shows like Pluribus, Margo's Got Money Troubles, Widow's Bay, Shrinking, and Slow Horses earning the most nominations. New series Widow's Bay received 19 nominations, while Pluribus was second with 18 nominations. The five most highly nominated shows are up for best series in their respective categories, and...
Apple TV Thumb 3

Everything Coming in the 2026 Apple TV 4K

Wednesday July 8, 2026 4:51 pm PDT by
The Apple TV 4K hasn't been updated since 2022, and it's due for a refresh. An update is planned for 2026, but Apple is likely going to wait to launch it after Siri AI launches in iOS 27. Design Apple TV design updates don't happen often, and that's not changing. The next Apple TV is going to have the same squircle shape as the current model, and it'll continue to be made from a black...
Apple Friday Night Baseball 2026

Apple TV and MLB Release August Schedule for 'Friday Night Baseball'

Thursday July 9, 2026 9:13 am PDT by
Apple and MLB today released the August schedule for Apple TV's weekly Friday Night Baseball doubleheader. Friday Night Baseball games are included with an Apple TV streaming subscription at no additional...

Top Rated Comments

Kaibelf Avatar
104 months ago
What's the point? Sort your hardware out.
This line of thinking brought to you by the Packard Bell School of Business and the Steve Ballmer Foundation.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
104 months ago
Apple should probably stick with updating it's aging hardware platform. What's with these weird ass tv shows and Apple? Carpool Karaoke .. need I say more? It's like Disney saying they're going to make a horror film. They can't. It's Disney!

Either do it all in and stop piece meal BS or don't do it at all.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
1applerules1 Avatar
104 months ago
That sounds extremely lame
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rafark Avatar
104 months ago
Doesn't seem to be a very bright future for Apple in the streaming industry with dull titles like this one and the others rumored.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TimmeyCook Avatar
104 months ago
Keeping it safe for the global audience.

Sucks.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
104 months ago
I like these kinds of stories and hope they see the light of day
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)