Apple TV+'s original Korean series "Pachinko," based on the popular epic novel on ethnic Korean residents of Japan across four generations, has won this year's Gotham Award of the U.S. for Breakthrough Series - Long Format (over 40 minutes). (Gotham Awards' official Facebook page)

By Lee Kyoung Mi

Video = Gotham Film & Media Institute's official YouTube channel

Apple TV+'s original Korean TV series "Pachinko" has earned a U.S. Gotham Award, which honors indie cinema.

The drama on Nov. 28 at Gotham's 32nd awards ceremony in New York won Breakthrough Series - Long Form (over 40 minutes).

Kim Min-ha, who played the lead character Sun-ja as a teen, was also nominated for Outstanding Performance in a New Series. 

Based on the eponymous novel by Korean American author Min Jin Lee that enjoyed explosive popularity in the U.S., "Pachinko" is about four generations of ethnic Korean residents in Japan and starts in the era when Japan occupied Korea (1910-45). Starring Youn Yuh-jung and Lee Min-ho, the series has received global acclaim for its dramatic depiction of a story set against the backdrop of historical events, with Season 2 in the works.

Formerly the Independent Filmmaker Project, the Gotham Film & Media Institute organizes these awards to recognize indie cinema. The winners are often seen to predict the results of other major honors like the Oscars and Emmys.