A poster for Apple TV+ series “Pachinko” / Courtesy of Apple TV+
Original series once confined only to streaming services are increasingly finding new audiences as well-made productions that were once on the verge of remaining hidden gems — restricted by streaming platforms' paywalls — are now returning to traditional TV channels. This unconventional strategy abandons the closed-off approach of exclusive releases, crossing platform boundaries to maximize touchpoints with viewers.
Apple TV+’s ambitious project "Pachinko" (2022) landed on the small screen via tvN, airing its first episode on Saturday. Despite its overwhelming capital and exquisite cinematography, the drama had long remained a show people "wanted to watch but couldn't," largely due to the platform's relatively small subscriber base in Korea.
Starring Lee Min-ho and Kim Min-ha, the drama examines four generations of a Korean family during the Japanese occupation of Korea and the subsequent racism that followed.
Through a familiar TV channel, it has finally connected properly with viewers across all generations. The move is intended to leverage the high accessibility of local TV to expand brand awareness. Following Season 1, Season 2 will begin airing on July 18.
