Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East?

The film focuses on a monastic setting centered on spiritual pursuits. There is no explicit evidence of LGBTQ+ characters or narratives addressing non-straight relationships.

The narrative centers on a trio of male figures: an aging master, a young man, and an orphan. This male-centric ensemble lacks female involvement or challenges to traditional gender power structures.

As a South Korean production, the film features a culturally specific, non-Western cast. While it disrupts Western-centric hegemony, the monastic setting's uniformity limits further diversity.

The film prioritizes Buddhist philosophy and the pursuit of Enlightenment. This challenges Western capitalist notions of productivity and material success by emphasizing internal spiritual growth.

The film features an orphan, which may imply systemic vulnerability. However, there is no specific evidence regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities as central character arcs.