Pachinko is rooted in identity-focused storytelling, highlighting generational trauma enforced by race, nationality, and gender. While the characters have depth, the story does at times foreground social issues and marginalization over traditional plot progression or personal growth arcs. It's not quite at the top of the woke spectrum, but it definitely puts ideology front-and-center at times.

The series critically examines family, tradition, and faith, often through a lens of modern reinterpretation. Traditional masculinity is problematized, and patriarchy is regularly critiqued. This approach may come across as undermining cultural foundations for viewers seeking a more neutral or tradition-respecting portrayal.

Alternative perspectives and dissenting values are mostly sidelined or associated with negative traits, with little space for internal debate. The worldview largely aligns with contemporary progressive sensibilities, leaving minimal room for ideological pluralism or nuance.