The film lacks explicit LGBTQ+ characters or narratives. The story focuses on male mentorship and familial reconnection within a traditional social framework.

The narrative centers on the performance of masculinity and male vulnerability. However, it remains a heavily male-centric environment with little female agency.

Casting is predominantly homogenous, reflecting the South Korean setting. While the protagonist lived in the U.S., the film does not use intersectional casting to disrupt ethnic homogeneity.

The film critiques hyper-competitive, results-oriented societal structures. It highlights the dehumanizing physical and emotional toll of these systems on the individual.

No characters with visible or invisible disabilities are afforded central roles. The physical toll of arm-wrestling is thematic rather than a vehicle for disability representation.